Gallica, and other Essays. By James Henry Hallard. (Longmans and
Co.)—Mr. Hallard is not without the critical faculty. This he exercises to some purpose in treating of Corneille and Racine. The essays on these two classics are well worth reading. And he is acute enough to see that in some of his earlier essays there are "marked traces of immaturity and of imitation." But as he carefully explains that by "earlier" he means in point of time, not of place in the volume, he exempts, it is clear, from this censure the most objectionable of all, "Some Reasons for Learn- ing French." The unlucky desire to be smart besets him, and prompts him to much foolish talk. There is reason for holding that the restriction of head-masterships to clergymen is harmful, though there is something to be said for it. This reason is that it limits the choice, and may often exclude the abler man. But this is not Mr. Hallard's view. One of the "reasons for learning French" is that it will promote the restriction of the clerical head-master with his "semi-nevage, semi-bourgeois notions of morals." What does he menu ? lldd Dr. Arnold such notions ? Is ho referring to the Ten Commandments ? Does he agree with the bard who lamented over Mrs. Brownrigg? She had anti- clerical views of the Sixth Commandment in the matter of her apprentices, and aspired for the day when- ,. France 'hall come and laws halt ha no more," This is a very powerful "reason for learning French."
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