We must confess that we have a good deal of sympathy
for 'Driver' Dallas, of the Royal Horse, who suffers fearful agonies at
what he imagines is a heartless flirtation on the part of the lady of his
dreams; but the story is told from the Imp's point of view, and as such
we must accept it. There is a very brilliant description of a battle in
the Soudan, and the account of barrack life is, of course, admirable. So
admirable indeed is it that we hope that 'Mr. Winter' will soon turn his
attention to new topics and try to handle fresh subjects. It would be
sad if such a clever and observant writer became merely the garrison hack
of literature. We would also earnestly beg 'Mr. Winter' not to write
foolish prefaces about unappreciative critics; for it is only
mediocrities and old maids who consider it a grievance to be
misunderstood.

(1) Miss Bayle's Romance: A Story of To-Day. (Bentley and Son,
Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen.)

(2) From Heather Hills. By Mrs. J. Hartley Perks. (Hurst and Blackett.)

(3) A Heart on Fire. By Mrs. Houston. (F. V. White and Co.)

(4) A Bag of Diamonds. By George Manville Fenn. (Ward and Downey.)

(5) The Great Hesper. By Frank Barrett. (Ward and Downey.)

(6) A Day after the Fair. By William Cairns. (Swan Sonnenschein and
Co.)

(7) That Imp. By John Strange Winter, Author of Booties' Baby, etc. (F.
V. White and Co.)

THE POETS' CORNER--III

(Pall Mall Gazette, May 30, 1887.)

Such a pseudonym for a poet as 'Glenessa' reminds us of the good old days
of the Della Cruscans, but it would not be fair to attribute Glenessa's
poetry to any known school of literature, either past or present.
Whatever qualities it possesses are entirely its own. Glenessa's most
ambitious work, and the one that gives the title to his book, is a poetic
drama about the Garden of Eden. The subject is undoubtedly interesting,
but the execution can hardly be said to be quite worthy of it. Devils,
on account of their inherent wickedness, may be excused for singing--

Then we'll rally--rally--rally--
Yes, we'll rally--rally O!--

but such scenes as--

Enter ADAM.

ADAM (excitedly). Eve, where art thou?

EVE (surprised). Oh!

ADAM (in astonishment). Eve! my God, she's there
Beside that fatal tree;

or--

Enter ADAM and EVE.

EVE (in astonishment). Well, is not this surprising?

ADAM (distracted). It is--

seem to belong rather to the sphere of comedy than to that of serious
verse. Poor Glenessa! the gods have not made him poetical, and we hope
he will abandon his wooing of the muse. He is fitted, not for better,
but for other things.

Vortigern and Rowena is a cantata about the Britons and the Danes. There
is a Druid priestess who sings of Cynthia and Endymion, and a chorus of
jubilant Vikings. It is charmingly printed, and as a libretto for music
quite above the average.

As truly religious people are resigned to everything, even to mediocre
poetry, there is no reason at all why Madame Guyon's verses should not be
popular with a large section of the community. Their editor, Mr. Dyer,
has reprinted the translations Cowper made for Mr.