Sir Walter Scott Part 7

The _Edinburgh Dispatch_ says:--

"The author has shown scholarship and much enthusiasm in his task."

The _Daily Record_ says:--

"The kindly, vain, and pompous little wig-maker lives for us in Mr. Smeaton's pages."

The _Glasgow Herald_ says:--

"A careful and intelligent study."

Of HUGH MILLER, by W. KEITH LEASK, the _Expository Times_ says:--

"It is a right good book and a right true biography.... There is a very fine sense of Hugh Miller's greatness as a man and a Scotsman; there is also a fine choice of language in making it ours."

The _Bookseller_ says:--

"Mr. Leask gives the reader a clear impression of the simplicity, and yet the greatness, of his hero, and the broad result of his life's work is very plainly and carefully set forth. A short appreciation of his scientific labours, from the competent pen of Sir Archibald Geikie, and a useful bibliography of his works, complete a volume which is well worth reading for its own sake, and which forms a worthy installment in an admirable series."

The _Daily News_ says:--

"Leaves on us a very vivid impression."

Of JOHN KNOX, by A. TAYLOR INNES, Mr. Hay Fleming, in the _Bookman_ says:--

"A masterly delineation of those stirring times in Scotland, and of that famous Scot who helped so much to shape them."

The _Freeman_ says:--

"It is a concise, well written, and admirable narrative of the great Reformer's life, and in its estimate of his character and work it is calm, dispa.s.sionate, and well balanced.... It is a welcome addition to our Knox literature."

The _Speaker_ says:--

"There is vision in this book, as well as knowledge."

The _Sunday School Chronicle_ says:--

"Everybody who is acquainted with Mr. Taylor Innes's exquisite lecture on Samuel Rutherford will feel instinctively that he is just the man to do justice to the great Reformer, who is more to Scotland 'than any million of unblameable Scotsmen who need no forgiveness.' His literary skill, his thorough acquaintance with Scottish ecclesiastical life, his religious insight, his chastened enthusiasm, have enabled the author to produce an excellent piece of work.... It is a n.o.ble and inspiring theme, and Mr. Taylor Innes has handled it to perfection."

Of ROBERT BURNS, by GABRIEL SETOUN, the _New Age_ says:--

"It is the best thing on Burns we have yet had, almost as good as Carlyle's Essay and the pamphlet published by Dr. Nichol of Glasgow."

The _Methodist Times_ says:--

"We are inclined to regard it as the very best that has yet been produced. There is a proper perspective, and Mr. Setoun does neither praise nor blame too copiously.... A difficult bit of work has been well done, and with fine literary and ethical discrimination."

_Youth_ says:--

"It is written with knowledge, judgment, and skill.... The author's estimate of the moral character of Burns is temperate and discriminating; he sees and states his evil qualities, and beside these he places his good ones in their fulness, depth, and splendour. The exposition of the special features marking the genius of the poet is able and penetrating."

Of THE BALLADISTS, by JOHN GEDDIE, the _Birmingham Daily Gazette_ says:--

"As a popular sketch of an intensely popular theme, Mr. Geddie's contribution to the 'Famous Scots Series' is most excellent."

The _Publishers' Circular_ says:--

"It may be predicted that lovers of romantic literature will re-peruse the old ballads with a quickened zest after reading Mr. Geddie's book. We have not had a more welcome little volume for many a day."

The _New Age_ says:--

"One of the most delightful and eloquent appreciations of the ballad literature of Scotland that has ever seen the light."

The _Spectator_ says:--

"The author has certainly made a contribution of remarkable value to the literary history of Scotland. We do not know of a book in which the subject has been treated with deeper sympathy or out of a fuller knowledge."