“Mr Bayfield expounds his theory with bold lucidity, and illustrates it with telling examples from every variety of English verse.”
+ Ath p1017 O 10 ’19 210w
“Like almost all prosodic theories which look at theory first, Mr Bayfield’s necessitates, even on its own showing, endless easements and epicycles to get it to work at all. There is no plain sailing; in fact, Mr Bayfield would seem to agree with Dr Johnson that ‘pure’ metre is dull and inartistic.” G: Saintsbury
− Ath p1150 N 7 ’19 2050w
“Mr Bayfield’s general treatment and scansions are by no means so convincing as those of his predecessors, [Lanier in ‘The science of English verse’ and Thomson in ‘The basis of English rhythm.’]” J. R. Hulbert
− Mod Philol 17:727 Ap ’20 200w
“The principle of his scheme is sound, and in the application of it to English verse he has shown, besides the wisdom of his instinct, a careful patience that is beyond praise.”
+ − Spec 122:864 D 20 ’19 1050w
“His theory has not cut him off from vital contact with poetry. The things of which he is chiefly aware are the essential things, and to read him is to have the ear quickened to a new enjoyment.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p668 N 20 ’19 1100w