– Sat. R. 102: 372. S. 22, ’06. 140w.
Hyde, A. G. George Herbert and his times. **$2.75. Putnam.
The true George Herbert is the theme of Mr. Hyde’s biography, whose burden is the reconciliation of the elements of a complex nature. “The story of Herbert’s ‘spiritual conflicts’ has been told once for all in the immortal pages of Walton’s ‘Life’; but that golden text requires for these modern days a good deal of expansion and comment, and this Mr. Hyde has sought to supply in the book before us. He has taken pains to collect information about the poet’s environment. He tells about the condition of Westminster school during Herbert’s boyhood; about the status and duties of the oratorship which Herbert held at Cambridge; and he writes chapters upon the church politics of the day and on the poet’s friends and contemporaries.” (Lond. Times.)
“Very interesting, wise and well-written book.”
+ + Acad. 71: 390. O. 20, ’06. 1340w.
“He knows nothing about the theories of Professor Palmer, of Harvard, as to the chronology of the poems. However, it cannot be said that these deficiencies make much difference in a popular book. The merit of Mr. Hyde’s volume is its readableness.”
+ – Lond. Times. 5: 333. O. 5, ’06. 140w.
“In coming to this theme Mr. Hyde has nothing new to add to our knowledge of Herbert’s life or surroundings. But he has a cultivated style, is well read in the general field, and from the common sources has put together a thoroughly entertaining volume. The weakest part of the book ... is that which pretends to deal with criticism.”
+ – Nation. 83: 329. O. 18, ’06. 670w.