27 NOVEMBER 1909, Page 25

The Poetical Works of Robert Burns. Edited, with Biographical Introduction,

by Charles Annandale, LL.D. 4 vols. (Gresham Pub- lishing Company. 30s.)—Dr. Annandale's biographical sketch is a candid and sensible piece of work. It is necessary to have a Life of Burns when his poems are collected, but no one, we venture to say, can read it with pleasure. The poems arc arranged in chronological order, as far as this can be determined. A section- is devoted to songs in which Burns made some alterations, while. the fourth volume is occupied with musical settings by Mr. Harry Colin Miller of a selection of Burns's own songs. There are some', attractive illustrations.