In the series of "Masters of Literature" (G. Bell and
Sons, 3s. 6d. net) we have Emerson, Edited by George Herbert Perris. It is quite needless, it may be said, to praise Emerson. Yet there is a common idea that he is an obscure writer whom to under- stand requires a great amount of labour which may not be amply repaid. And, without doubt, there are depths in him, and, as one would expect in depths, obscurity. But that he was an eminently practical person, with a keen observation, and great insight into character, is proved by "English Traits," to mention one book which must be of peculiar interest to readers on this side. He came over here in 1833, and again in 1847, but he did not give his impressions to the world till the year 1856. It was a case of notion prematur in annum, and a very happy case too. Mr. Perris has prefixed an admirable introduction, and seems to have made a good choice. Between forty and fifty pages of poems conclude the volume. It is in his verse that Emerson is less easy of understanding. Yet hero too he often spoke very clearly and to the point. One couplet we may quote ; it is never out of season:— "East thou named all the birds without gun?
Loved the wood-rose, and left it on its stalk ? "
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