COUNTRY LIFE

London, England

10 June 1911

(page 864)

THE JUNE MAGAZINES.

THE ENGLISH REVIEW.

The English Review continues its practice of publishing a considerable quantity of poetry at the beginning of the number. Here there are six pieces, contributed by John Masefield, Aleister Crowley [On the Edge of the Desert], Ethel Clifford and Elizabeth Rendall. It is not a very good idea, in our opinion. Much better would it be to choose a single poem of unquestionable excellence. These have a savour of mediocrity. Another example of riding a good idea to death is the continuation of Yoshio Markino’s “Bullesses” after the inspiration has faded. Mr. John M. Robertson writes on “Form in Poetry” at considerable length and with some penetration. One of the really interesting features of this issue is to be found in the “Letters of Wagner to His Schoolfellow, Apel.” These are extremely interesting, and will be greatly valued by all true Wagnerites. Dr. Walter Whitehead, who was President of the British Medical Association in 1902, writes very strongly in favour of Mr. Barker, the bone-setter, and against the verdict that was brought in when a Mr. Thomas sought to recover damages. The jury awarded a compensation of twenty guineas for the loss of his leg, and this, Mr. Whitehead very properly says, in this case meant very much what a farthing means in a libel action. Air Alfred Mond gives some very useful information about “German Working-class Insurance.”