New-York tribune., 1902-03-19
NEW EDITIONS
sYMoNDs's INTRODUCTION TO GREEK
POETRY

STUDIES OF THE GREEK POETS. BY John
Acdington SymondS. Third Edition IN IN I%o lr
Macmillan Hompany
The bibIiographical note prefxed to the first
of these volumes offers an interesting side light
on the fortunes Of a modern work of scholar
ship. The first series Of symonds's studies Of
the Greek Poets" appeared in 1873. Three years
later the second series was published. In 1879
a second edition II the work printed a whole.
brought out. but not until 1893 was third
edition called for OF this third edition we have
a reprint in the handsome volumes before us
We have no reason 90 suppose that the number
of copies printed Of any one of these editions
exceeded the narrow limit 50 often set in the
field Il pure literature Thus in nearly thirty
years the book has achieved only modest cir
culation. It might be said that no work Of
scholarship Is ever widely popular; yet there
are special reasons why this book. more than
scores n others should have made its way
among really considerable number Of read
ers II may safely he asserted that there are
thousands who. without any knowledge Of
Greek are nevertheless interested in classical
literature. certainly the number Of handbooks
published viii suggest that there is a constant
demand FOR translations ard historical Criti-
cal essays ou the subject Symonds's book is
among the few publications Of this sort that are
of permanent value.
re had a special gift for PopUlarizing, in the
hest sense Of that term. the masterpieces Of
other languages. Witness not only the work at
Yre.-n, under consideration. but his admirable
Introduction to the study Of Dante: his trans
letIon of CeIlinTs Autobiography. With its brill
liant PREDATORY essay his similarly we'll made
and wei edited translatons Of Gozzi and Of
Trediaval Latin students songs. and. finally.
his IaGgHIim opH>. the history Of the Renaissance
IN Italy. which is juimitahIe In its exposition OF
countless memorable manifestations OF the ltal-
tan genius Re had abundant scholarship. and
while ne was not Invariably accurate. and not
always infalIible i'm Judgment ne possessed IN a
high degree some of the best qualities Of the
literary historian. He had taste and he had en-
thusiasu7: IN everything that he wrote We feel
that kindlinC emotion q the born lover OF let
ters without which even the most accom-
plished Of scholars j. dull and almost Intellectual
Jovgett Was his lifelong counsellor. and he had
something of that humaniziug faculty which
rendered the mastery translator Of Plato one
of the most interesting Of modern writer's deal
ing with classical themes.
We feel this nowhere more than in the
Studies Of the Greek Poets He regretted
that owing TO the circumstances of its compost
ton he could not give the work unity Of
style and symmetry Of plan: but he was ever
an exponent Of common sense OF wen orueIeu
craftsmanship. and So for all that this book
lacks perfection Of form. II still has remark
able clarity. is still we'll adapted 20 the pract-
cal purposes Of the student. The opening chap
ters on the periods Of Greek literature and on
the Greek mythology clear the ground and ar
range the authors chosen lines OF discussion
with simplicity and rapidity. There is little
waste of words: there is little Indulgence in
critical speculation. The author does his best to
cut to the bone without sacrificing charm Of
narrative style; and as he proceeds to survey
the poets in chronological order he becomes
more and more interesting and illuminative-
He warns 10 his task. and il is not his fault If
the reader fails 10 feel an access of pleasure as
well as Of profit in turning his pages This is.
in short. q sterling piece Of work, we are glad
Of this reprint and hope that II viii he fol
lowed by Others at short intervals.