Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, addressed to R. If. Horne.
Edited by S. R. Townshond Mayer. 2 vols. (Bentley and Sons.)—It is almost needless to say that these volumes have a very great interest. Most of the letters were written during the years 1841-3, while there are a few which have earlier or later dates, the last of all being written in 1851. Mrs. Browning's powers as a critic wore of no common kind, indeed, we have specimens here which make us wi,-11 that some more com- plete collection of her el itical writings could be made. They are especially striking here, as we find them in the free, unstudied form which they would naturally have in friendly letters. Nor are Mr. Home's own contributions to the correspondence at all wanting in interest. He supplies a comment which gives to it no small part of its value. One of the most curious things in the book is Miss Barrett's defence of the extraordinary system of rhyming which she was pleased to adopt. She gives her correspondent c'early to understand that it was the result not of any carelessness or haste of composition, but of deliberate choice. Mr. Horne adds of his own some vet), interesting sketches of contem- poraries, especially of the brilliant company of amateur dramatists which was gathered round Charles Dickens. One criticism of Mr. Browning's wo must quote. It may be useful, as recommending an alterative for the very stimulating diet to which our novelists are habituating us:- " Not that I would dishonour Mr. James. He is a picturesque writer, and paints his canvas-deep figures in bright costume, and in the midst of excellent landscape. Often when I have been very unwell I have been able to read his books with advantage, when I could not read better ones. You may read him from end to end without a superfluous bent of the heart,—and they are just the sort of intellectual diet fitted for persons ordered to be kept quiet' by their physicians."
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