The diction is unfortunate. The coast-warden becomes a ‘squire’ (p. 7); Heorot is a ‘banqueting hall’ (p. 4, showing the influence of Kemble’s translation); Beowulf and Breca were ‘pages at the King’s court’ (p. 13, showing the influence of Earle’s translation).

Petty inaccuracies occur throughout, such as, ‘I counsel that thou refuse not’ (p. 9); ‘A faithful squire must needs know the troubles of his lord’ (p. 7). In point of accuracy this version is quite inferior to the work of Miss Thomson[3]; and in point of style and atmosphere to that of Mr. Jones[4], Miss Ragozin[5], or Miss Thomson. The book, however, is readable, and the author’s name will doubtless serve to give it a certain success.

[1.] See supra, [p. 33].

[2.] See supra, [p. 91].

[3.] See infra, [p. 143].

[4.] See supra, [p. 123].

[5.] See supra, [p. 138].

[ MISS THOMSON’S PARAPHRASE]

The Adventures of Beowulf, translated from the Old English and adapted to the Use of Schools by Clara Thomson[1]. London: Horace Marshall and Son, 1899. 8o, pp. 95. In the ‘New English Series,’ edited by E. E. Speight.