16 APRIL 1921, Page 23

The energetic - Society of Dorset Men in London has issued

an attractive and interesting Dorset Year-Book for 1920-21, edited by Mr. Stanley L Galpin (W. Watkins, 91 Bishopsgate, E.C. 2, 2s. 6d.). Mr. Hardy contributes a poem. Mr. J. S. Udal has a long and excellent article on " The Folk-Lore of William Barnes," a poet in whom England and not Dorset alone takes a pride. Mr. Udal notes that the dialect poems were considerably altered in successive editions, and that the dialect itself is rapidly passing. His commentary on Barnes's local allusions is of great interest. An article on Dorset names in London by Mr. J. Ridout is curious and novel. The Year-book contains plenty of local news and is well illustrated.