Shorter Notices
Scottish Art and Letters : No. 1. Edited by R. Crombie Saunders. (MacLellan. 5s.) A HUNDRED years ago Scotland had Blackwood's and The Edinburgh Review—periodicals published in Scotland, naturally interested (bu: never exclusively) in Scottish matters, yet read and respected far outside the country. Now for many years Scotland has had no comparable periodical ; the reasons for this are complex, but they certainly reflect little credit on the Scottish reading public. There have been several spirited attempts to start a new periodical—one of the most successful, The Modern Scot, came to an end about ten years ago. Now, bravely, comes Scottish Art and Letters: what are its prospects? There are some hopeful signs ; among them, the success in the last few years of the Saltaire Society, which by its meetings, exhibitions and lectures aims at forming a critical and informed public for the arts. Another is the fillip given to cultural activities in Scotland generally, and Edinburgh in particular, by the presence of Poles, Czechs, French and other allies whose strong cultural traditions have stimulated the Scot's interest in his own. Scottish Art and Letters makes a good beginning ; it is certainly Scottish—see the poems of Garioch and MacGhilleathain and the reprodttctions of Robert Bain's striking painting ; it is also Euro- pean—see Robert Melville's brilliant article on Chirico and Rous- seau. It keeps a firm grip on practicalities—see James Bridie on the chances of Scottish plays ; it is willing to experiment.
Previous page
