The Poetical Works of Robert Burns. By Alexander Smith. 2
vols. (Macmillan and Co.)—Mr. Smith has performed his work as an editor with a care which shows that he knows what is due to the reputation of his author and to his own. He has prefixed a very pleasantly-written biography, which really tells all that need be known about Burns's life in a short compass. The notes are concise and to the purpose, and are rightly placed at the end, so that the reader *need not trouble himself with them unless he pleases. In reading afresh a poem one knows thoroughly, it is vexations to have one's attention distracted by notes which can only tell what one knows already. There is also an excel- lent glossary and an index of first lines, but no table of contents. This should be remedied. If the reader wants to find the poem called "Scotch Drink," and does not know the first line of it, he must hunt right through the book to find it. In all other respects this certainly is the handsomest, most convenient, and most accurate pocket edition of Burns.
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