the old Hebrew language and of the English language in the sixteenth century; in part from the strong but unconscious rhythm caused by the balancing of the lines of the Hebrew; in part from the richness of music which is due in all probability to the sonorous influences of the Vulgate. Behind the manifold variety of the imagery and the deep music of the style we can see, and not too vaguely,
the intensity of faith which soared above all earthly troubles to the highest conception of God yet reached by man,—the faith which is to be traced in the constantly wider and more spiritual messages of the prophets, rising during the period that produced the Psalms to a clear grasp of immortality and the blessings of paradise.”
In this little volume of sixty-two pages is gathered together in permanent form some twenty-nine poems rendered into English verse from the Russian of Gorky, Bashkin, Nadson, Nekrasov, Galin, Palivanov, A. K. Tolstoy, Miklailov, Dobrobioubov, and from the Yiddish of Morris Rosenfeld and David Edelstadt. Some of those renderings (made by the way, from literal prose translations of the original furnished the author) show an excellent appreciation of the spirit and temper of the original; the "Jewish Soldier," from the Yiddish of Morris Rosenfeld merits special mention. It is markerd by that same ease and majesty of rythm which was also quite noticeable in her translation of "The Prophet," which appeared in our
September number. The aim of this book is to “give a glimpse into the thoughts and aspirations of some Russian lovers of freedom, as revealed in their poetry.”
There is a useful list of “Stories of Jewish Interest” which contains titles of some excellent Jewish fiction. The most interesting compilation is, however, a “List of Works by Jewish Artists in the United States, August 1905 to August 1906,” quite lengthy and comprehensive. a list which shows what quite a number of talented Jews are doing in the field of beaux art.
(*Songs of Russia, Rendered into English verse by Alice Stone Blackwell. Published by the author, 1906.)
The Year Book of the Jewish Publication Society of America for 5667 (1906-1907), contains several special articles which are of permanent value. The various departments which find place in the Year Book year by year are covered as completely and carefully as in previous years.