by me (without, however, any corresponding omissions), and yet there is not one single book which occurs in every list, or even in half of them, and only about half a dozen which appear in more than one of the nine.

If these authorities, or even a majority of them, had concurred in their recommendations, I would have availed myself of them; but as they differ so greatly I will allow my list to remain almost as I first proposed it. I have, however, added Kalidasa's Sakuntala or The Lost Ring, and Schiller's William Tell, omitting, in consequence, Lucretius and Miss Austen: Lucretius because though his work is most remarkable, it is perhaps less generally suitable than most of the others in the list; and Miss Austen because English novelists were somewhat over-represented.

HIGH ELMS,

DOWN, KENT, August 1890.

"

All places that the eye of Heaven visits

Are to the wise man ports and happy havens."

SHAKESPEARE.

"Some murmur, when their sky is clear

And wholly bright to view,

If one small speck of dark appear
In their great heaven of blue.
And some with thankful love are fill'd
If but one streak of light,

One ray of God's good mercy gild

The darkness of their night.

"In palaces are hearts that ask,

In discontent and pride,

Why life is such a dreary task,

And all good things denied.

And hearts in poorest huts admire

How love has in their aid

(Love that not ever seems to tire)

Such rich provision made."

TRENCH.