3 SEPTEMBER 1864, Page 24

Sonnets. By the Rev. Charles Turner, 'Vicar of Grasby, Lincoln

(Macmillan and Co.)—Lovers of the sonnet will find these good speci- mens of that form of composition, almost always coldly graceful. This they remain in Mr. Turner's hands, but have that utter absence of all straining after effect which gives a certain charm and refinement like that of Greek sculpture. Certain sonnets, however, at the end of the volume treating of the theological questions of the day cannot be awarded the same praise. Perhaps a clergyman must be full of such subjects, and must write of that which occupies his mind, but polemics are not we think suited for poetical expression at all, certainly not for expres- sion in the form of sonnets.