The _Nibelungenlied_, which has been aptly designated the German
Iliad, has hitherto been a sealed book to the mere English reader. Mr.
Lettsom has however just published a most successful translation of it
under the title of _The Fall of the Nibelungers_. Few will rise from
a perusal of the English version of this great national epic--which
in its present form is a work of the thirteenth century--without being
struck with the innate power and character of the original poem; and
without feeling grateful to Mr. Lettsom for furnishing them with so
pleasing and spirited a version of it.
Captain Curling, Clerk of the Cheque of what was formerly designated
the Band of Gentleman Pensioners, has, under the influence of a
laudable _esprit de corps_, combined the disjointed materials which
Pegge had collected upon the subject with the fruits of his own
researches; and, under the title of _Some Account of the Ancient
Corp of Gentlemen-at-Arms_, has produced a volume of great interest
doubtless to his "brothers in arms," and containing some curious
illustrations of court ceremonial.[9]
Mr. Timbs, the editor of _The Year-Book of Facts_, &c., announces for
early publication a work on which he has been engaged for some time,
entitled _Curiosities of London_. It will, we believe, be altogether
of a different character from Mr. Cunningham's _Handbook_, and treat
rather of present London and its amusements than those of historical
and literary associations which give a charm to Mr. Cunningham's
volume.
We are glad to find that the most mysterious and mystified portion
of the Greek Geometry is likely to receive at last a complete
elucidation--we mean the "Porisms." There are so many questions
arising out of this subject, respecting the development of the Grecian
intellect, that a full discussion of them is no easy task; especially
of those arising out of the conflicting testimonies furnished by
history, and by the internal evidences contained in the existing works
of the "fathers of Geometry." We certainly anticipate, from the known
character of the minds now engaged in this work, that some conclusive
evidence as to the state of geometry anterior to the time of Euclid
will be elicited by Messrs. Potts and Davies. The analysis of the
writings of all the authors who have treated on the Porism, will form
a subject of interest not only for its assigning to every author his
fair share of credit for his contributions towards perfecting the
poristic method; but for that _critical discrimination of principles_,
which constitutes one of the marked features of Mr. Davies's writings
in the archæology of geometry. We shall be glad if his slight
notice of the intended work shall bring some accession of aid to the
undertaking in the form of subscriptions: as upon adequate support,
it appears, must depend whether the work shall go to press, or the
project be abandoned.
We have received the following Catalogues:--Thomas Thorpe's (13.
Henrietta Street) General Catalogue of very Choice, Curious, Rare,
and most Interesting Books recently purchased, including some hundred
articles of the utmost rarity. Williams and Norgate's (14. Henrietta
Street) No. 24. of German Book Circular, a Quarterly List of the
principal New Publications on the Continent; C.J. Stewart's (11. King
William Street, West Strand) Catalogue of Dogmatical, Polemical, and
Ascetical Theology.
[9] We find at page 200, an Order of the Council, dated Dec. 5.
1737, respecting the disposition of the band at the funeral of Queen
Caroline, signed by "TEMPLE STANYAN," the subject of a Query in
No. 24. p. 382., and of several Replies in our last, No. 28. p. 460.
* * * * *
WANTED.--MANUSCRIPT OF OLD ENGLISH POETRY.--Borrowed, within
the last few months, from the Town Residence of a Gentleman,
a large 4to. MS., in modern binding, of Early English Poetry,
by Richard Rolle, of Hampole; containing, among other matters,
Religious Pieces couched in the form of Legal Instruments, and
a Metrical Chronicle of the Kings of England, in the style
of Lydgate's. As the owner does not recollect to whom it was
lent, and is very anxious to refer to it, he will be obliged
by its immediate return, either to himself directly, or, if
more convenient, to the Editor of "NOTES AND QUERIES."
* * * * *