Fiftieth Thousand. New Edition. Crown 8vo. 35. 6d. A Treasury of Reference for Writers and Edited by R. D. BLACKMAN. It has been credibly reported in the press that one of a theatrical audience, having before them a drop curtain representing a Roman Villa, with the word "SALVE" prominently displayed upon it, innocently enquired who was the maker of the salve which he supposed to be thus advertised. This is an extreme and somewhat ludicrous instance of a lack of knowledge which is prevalent to a much greater degree than is generally admitted. It is chiefly in the columns of the press and in works of a technical character that words and allusions, which are "caviare to the general," are to be found. Let us take at random a well-known evening paper. In a leading article extending over a little more than a column in length, the following terms occur :-Ménage, quid pro quo, savoir faire, in camera, amour propre, pro forma, infra dig. Even popular works appear under such titles as Obiter Dicta, Res Judicatæ, Fors Clavigera, Sartor Resartus, Altiora Peto, Vestigia, Omnia Vanitas, &c. The decline in the study of the Classics, however, has considerably lessened the number of moderately well-educated persons who might, with the aid of a dictionary, spell out for themselves the meaning of such terms, and many of them are probably in the condition of the youth in the novel, who translated the motto, Toujours à Toi," by " All Days to Thee"; and of the reporter who took down phonetically the well-known phrase, "Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, sed major veritas," as "I may cuss Plato, I may cuss Socrates, said Major Veritas." Difficulties are largely increased because many of the terms referred to are of the nature of idioms, consisting sometimes of a mere catch-word which conveys to the initiated all that was expressed by the author in a long sentence.-Extract from Preface. "Writers and readers of current literature, especially the latter, will find this work of great use. Fami liar phrases and sayings in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, are Portuguese, and German brought together under appropriate divisions, and being arranged alphabetically, reference is easy." LEEDS MERCURY. A Handbook for Literary Students Edited by R. D. BLACKMAN. Comprises in one Vol., Composition and Style, The Letter Writer's Vade-Mecum, and Dictionary of Foreign Phrases. to literary success I ever saw, and will be found of great value to the studious aspirant." "I am very much pleased with your excellent book, and I can recommend it with great confidence. It is one of the best aids MISS EMILY FAITHFULL. New Edition. Complete in sets of 3 Vols. Large 12mo. 155. Prose Masterpieces from Modern Essayists Edited by G. H. PUTNAM. These Essays have been selected with reference to presenting specimens of the method of thought and the literary style of their several writers, and also for the purpose of putting into convenient shape for direct comparison the treatment given by such writers to similar subjects. New Edition. Complete in sets of 3 Vols. Large 12mo. 155. A selection of the most important Political Edited, with Introductions, Notes, Biographical and Critical Sketches, Large Crown 8vo. 6s. Orthometry: a Treatise on the Art of Versification and the Technicalities of Poetry With a New and Complete Rhyming Dictionary. By R. F. BREWER, B.A., Author of "A Manual of English Prosody." "We have found the work not only enlightening, but also capital reading, with its many illustrative poems. The technicalities of composition are really treated with ability, and the author shows that he possesses no mean literary style of his own. Although works on composition do not as a rule commend themselves to us, we have no hesitation in praising this book and giving it a strong recommendation to all who wish to write correctly and gracefully, and to understand the classic forms adopted by leading poets." BIRMINGHAM DAILY GAZETTE. "Mr. Brewer seems to be well qualified for his self-imposed task; he deals not inadequately with the mechanism of verse, and his examples are often chosen with considerable judgment and skill.” TIMES. "By its aid the verse-maker can attain to correct form, and his delightful art try flights in many metres previously unattainable for want of exact knowledge. The author has evidently bestowed great care upon the subject, and may be said to have dealt with it thoroughly."-LEEDS MERCURY. "We can heartily commend the work to the great army of amateur verse-makers. They will learn that it Orthometry' cannot supply poetic wings, it can furnish a good stock of crutches for the assistance of limping versifiers. The 'Rhyming Dictionary' will in its degree be as useful to modern amateurs in verse as a similar work was to Lord Byron."-GLASGOW HERALD. 'People who read poetry with enjoyment may often find that enjoyment increased by a thorough knowledge of the laws which govern its form. To them this volume should be of much service." YORKSHIRE POST. "A very painstaking and laborious work. It may enable the minor poet to perceive that there are values in accent and quantity to which even genius must bow." DAILY TELEGRAPH. "It must be a good many years now since one Horatius Flaccus indited in good round verse a treatise about the Art of Poetry,' and that there is yet more to be said upon the comprehensive subject would appear from the effort before us, for which we are indebted to his latest successor in the field. The volume ends with a 'Dictionary of Rhyme,' and we part company with Orthometry' much entertained."-SPECTATOR. "A Dictionary of Rhymes' fittingly terminates one of the best works on versification that have come under our notice." CHRISTIAN AGE. Complete in Sets of Five Volumes, Imperial 8vo, £7 17s. 6d. A Critical Dictionary of English Literature and British and American Authors From the Earliest Times to the Present Day. By S. AUSTIN ALLIBONE, LL.D. With Supplement by JOHN FOSTER KIRK, LL.D. The entire work contains a History of over 83,000 Authors, together with several hundred thousand Critical Notices of their Writings. In Two Volumes. Imperial 8vo. £3 35. Forming a Supplement to the original Work in Three Volumes, a New Edition of which is now ready. Supplement to Allibone's Critical Dictionary of English Literature and British and American Authors By JOHN FOSTER KIRK, LL.D., Author of "History of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy." These Two Supplementary Volumes contain over Thirtyseven Thousand Articles (Authors), enumerate over Ninetythree Thousand Titles, and bring the information contained in the Original Work down to the most recent period. Tent Life in Siberia And Adventures among the Koraks and Other Tribes in Kamtchatka and Northern Asia. By GEORGE KENNAN, Author of "Siberia and the Exile System." "We strongly recommend this book as one of the most entertaining volumes of travel that have appeared for some years." ATHENEUM. "It is racy, clear, full of humour, and full of interest." SPECTATOR. |