30 AUGUST 1902, Page 27

In the series of "The World's Classics" (Grant Richards, Is.

net) we have The Iliad of Homer, translated by Alexander Pope. In a way " Pope's Iliad "—it might possibly be said that it is rather this than " Homer's Iliad "—still holds its own. It is very enjoyable reading, all the more enjoyable, perhaps, the less one knows or remembers of the original, but distinctly pleasing. The verse truly is uncongenial, but it is flawless ; the language is anything but Homeric, but it is in the grand style. We much doubt whether it will ever be dispossessed of such hold as it still has on the English reader.