The Select Dramatic Works of Dryden. Edited by J. L.
Seton. (Hamilton, Adams, and Co.)—These select plays have been " selected" over and over again, till they have come to "All For Love," in which Dryden tells the story of Antcny and Cleopatra, and "Don Sebastian." The restriction is probably wise. On the other hand, it is only right that while so many reprints are coming out, often of works that have but very small merit indeed, the dramatic works of such a genius as Dryden should be represented. The editor has done nothing but re- print and modernise the spelling. As to spelling, indeed, he might have been more careful. We find " born " for " borne "and " Serapian" for " Serapion " in the first four pages. We expect something from editors now-a-days. Such industry as is shown by Messrs. Furnivall, Fleay, and Anber makes us dissatisfied with Mr. Seton's very meagre perform- ance. One thing he says which certainly suggests a remark. "In the course of two hundred years, society has made great advances in many respects, and probably in no section is this more marked than in that of the theatre and its relationships." Is it possible that Mr. Seton knows what commands the greatest success in the London theatres ? What an advance to make in two centuries 1
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