HH '' ' W! w ..::..-. ' . , - :. : ' ' ' ' ''' ' CNJ CO WHISPER! WHISPER! BY FRANCES WYNNE J . LONDON KLKIN MATTHEWS AND JOHN LANK At the Sign of the BODT.EY HEAD in VIGO STREET 1893 c :.* e . i : : . WHISPER! B WHISPER! BY FRANCES WYNNE LONDON KEG AN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., Lr 1 ?. 1890 ( The rights of translation and of reproduction are n>.sv;7v > . ' 1 , > > 1 ' ' ' ;, ', :!"'!'! 1 1 .". , , ,',' *, , FRANCES WYNNE: A MEMORY. THIS volume makes it appearance under sad circumstances, for while the sheets were yet in the binder's hands, the young author died, at the age of 27. Her poems make their own eulogy, but Frances Wynne was so bright a creature, so sweet and lovely a character, that it is desired to preserve here some record of her charm for those readers who never can know how dear her human person- ality was. She died within a week of the birth of her little son ; and after eighteen months of a most happy married life. Of her the ancients would have said, " Whom the gods love die young," for during her brief life she lived every day in the full sunshine of love and joy, and passed away before the shadows began to lengthen on her years. Thinking of her now it is impossible to conceive her old and calm. She was so gay, so coaxing, so full of child- like naivete and charm, that one can best imagine for her the perpetual youth of dead at 27. She was born and lived her girlhood in the quiet Irish village of Collon. Her ' ' . ' , ' If. , , , I ' I . c r . , , ' ', , ' < < c < I . < 11 years were brooded over by the tender love of an intensely- loved father and mother. The big, kindly house is in the village street ; but there is a roomy garden of roses and lilies, hollyhocks and lavender ; and all around stretch the rich pasture fields of Louth, and on the horizon are the ever-present Irish hills, and not so far away there is the sea. Frances Wynne had a very happy childhood, its only storms the troubles entailed by her tender heart and impetuous affections. When she loved she loved intensely, and her childish rhymes to her dear governess are veritable love letters. Her affections were very impulsive during her short length of days, but they were also very faithful. Her admirations were so generous that her reports were not always to be accepted by colder-eyed folk ; but hers might well be the clearer vision, dear soul. Her love for children was a passion with her, and the least inviting baby had some divine attraction for her. She was greatly loved by children and the poor, and animals, and by her social inferiors. She had won the hearts not only of the servants of her own house, but of every house where she visited. I have often wondered what charm had given her this universal power. It was not mere graciousness, for many a one has that. I think it was her sympathy and good will her love for her kind which made it impossible for her to look down on any one. There her admiration stood her in good stead. Her village coteries were the most interesting and delightful people ; her humble friends she invested Ill with the finest qualities. So it was that some of the saddest mourners by her grave were her old servants, and the poor who had known her from babyhood. Nothing was common or unclean to her ; and when she married her cousin, Mr. Henry Wynne, and came to live in London, the swirling crowd in Southampton Row, above which they had their eyrie, was but a wonderful new experience, full of the most intense interest. So too when her husband took orders, and settled in an East End curacy. She was never home-sick for the roses and the fields. To hear her, Stepney Green was better than meadows ; though she sang no more her old songs that might have been the very lark-song of those meadows, but a more serious, new strain. To her happy heart and bounteous nature the East and its people took on a grace and human interest not naturally theirs. Then too her son was coming, her star that was to arise in the East. But with the son's star in the House of Birth the mother's was in the House of Death. She went away, dear child, with the illusions of the morning yet upon her, and the new light of a great joy. She had ardently desired a son, and she had scarcely the pain of parting from him and her dear husband, for she sank into the arms of death like any child sleeping. She would say, perhaps, like Pompilia : " All women are not mothers of a boy Though they live twice the length of my whole life And, as they fancy, happily all the same." IV She had, indeed, the ripest experience when she died at 27. She had drunk deep of the cup of life she had seized so eagerly, as if she knew there was not much time. Dead at 27 ; but an exquisite memory of joy and love to those of us who knew her, and who can never think of her as anything but young and glad. She had a sweet brown face like the old poet's mistress : " Brown is my Love but graceful And each renowned whiteness Matched with that lovely brown loseth its brightness." A face whose winning charm, its roguishness and tenderness no mere photograph could ever reproduce. But these words may speak of her to some who never knew her sweetness. K. H. September 6th> 1893. WHISPER ! You saucy south wind, setting all the budded beech boughs swinging Above the wood anemones that flutter, flushed and white, When far across the wide salt waves your quick way you were winging, Oh ! tell me, tell me, did you pass my sweetheart's ship last night ? Ah ! let the daisies be, South wind ! and answer me : Did you my sailor see ? Wind, whisper very low, For none but you must know I love my lover so. 8 WHISPER ! You've come by many a gorsy hill, your breath has sweetness in it, You've ruffled up the high white clouds that fleck the shining blue ; You've rushed and danced and whirled, so now perhaps you'll spare a minute, To tell me whether you have seen my lover brave and true ? Wind, answer me, I pray. I'm lonelier every day, My love is far away ; And, sweet wind, whisper low, For none but you must know I love my lover so. ( 9 ) ME ADO W-S WEET. THE meadow-sweet was uplifting Its plumelets of delicate hue, The clouds were all dreamily drifting Above in the blue, On the day when I broke from my tether, And fled from square and from street ; The day we went walking together In the meadow, Sweet. The meadow, sweet with its clover And bright with its buttercups lay ; The swallows kept eddying over, All flashing and gay ; I remember a fairylike feather Sailed down your coming to greet, The day we went walking together In the meadow, Sweet. io MEADOW-SWEET. Ah ! the meadow, Sweet ! and the singing Of birds in the boughs overhead ! And your soft little hand to mine clinging, And the words that you said, When, bold in the beautiful weather, I laid my love at your feet, The day we went walking together In the meadow, Sweet. II A GARDEN REVERIE I'M sitting in the garden's sheltered angle, Where our thick-ivied house-wall faces west ; Near by, the rooks in the great elm trees wrangle Over their building on this day of rest. But the hoarse sound of cheerful rookery quarrels, The gay child-voices in the village street, And the faint twitterings in the garden laurels, Seem to enhance the Sunday stillness sweet. The sky is very pure and blue and gleaming, Each grass-blade has a little silver shine ; Down the trim border comes the sunlight streaming Along a gold and purple crocus line. 12 A GARDEN REVERIE. With open leaves, wind-stirred and lightly lifted, " Essays of Elia " lies upon my knee, And on and on my thoughts have idly drifted Into the happy realm of reverie. Here in this peaceful place and pleasant weather, The sweet " Dream Children " seem once more to rise I see them their small hands are locked together, The laughter brightens in their childish eyes. And dear Charles Lamb himself is o'er them bending, With a most wistful tender smile for each, His hesitating accents only lending A rarer measured quaintness to his speech. " Ah ! loving heart, so brave and self-forgetful, Ah ! little fair Dream-children, do not go ' ; In vain I plead : with moist eyes, and regretful, I watch them dim and ever dimmer grow. My book falls heavily down, and so awaking From my day-dream, I find the shadows long ; I hear through all the noise the rooks are making The church-bells sounding clear for evensong. 13 IN THE SUN. I. DOWN in the old-fashioned garden The glittering white lilies blow ; On the porch the great pink roses Stir languidly to and fro. A warm haze is quivering faintly 'Twixt earth and the blue June sky ; A bee in his soft plush jacket Goes droning lazily by. In the midst of the sunny grass plot Lie the children, tired with play ; Of all the beautiful blossoms None are so lovely as they. 14 AV THE SUN. There's Floss, like a stately sun-flower, With brown eyes and red gold hair ; And Mabel, a bobbing pansy, Her sweet little chin in the air. There's May, like a big moon daisy, With innocent, wide-eyed face ; And wood-anemone Ethel, Full of sweet babyish grace. They bask in a happy circle, They are brimming over with fun ; " There's nothing so nice," say the children, " As staying still in the sun." II. In a squalid street of the city, Where the houses are old and tall, A long row of merry children Sit under a high brick wall. IN THE SUN. 15 Their small pale faces are dirty, Their rough little heads are bare, They never saw flowers growing, Except through the bars of a square. But God's dear sunshine is flooding The poor place with radiant light They are not cold now, nor hungry, They've a shelter to sleep in to-night. Harsh winter days are forgotten, That soaked their thin rags with rain ; The baby has left off crying, Lame Philip is not in pain. And little feet that are tired Have got no errands to run. " There's nothing rests," say the children, " Like sitting still in the sun." 16 SEA-GULLS. EARLY in the year, When blustering March was here, And the clouds seemed always grey, There came a sudden, sun-bright day, In the midst of the rainy weather, Shining out of a blue and breezy sky, Shedding a silver shimmer down on the sea. Do you remember, my friend, how we, On that morning clear, Left the town behind us, you and I, And lay amongst flower-flecked gorse and heather, We two together ? Down below us, the glittering bay In rippled radiance stretched away ; A distant church spire here and there Flashed in the sunshine, aglint and fair ; SEA-GULLS. 17 And far, far off, all faintly hued In the flooding light, the mountains stood. The sea-gulls, with wide white wings outspread, Passed so close to us overhead, As they slowly flew, That, though we spoke quietly, I and you, They might have heard what we said. Ah ! sea-gulls, swooping, slipping, Under the water blue.; Sea-gulls diving and dipping ; Ah f sea-gulls, softly swaying, Sea-gulls, poising and playing, I wonder if you knew What we were saying ? When the heather wore its purplest glory, And the gorse gleamed with its rarest gold., One of us was listening to a story, Rapturously new, and yet how old ! Ah ! sea-gulls, restless, roving, Sea-gulls, daring and bold, There is nought so sweet as loving'! c 1 8 SEA-GULLS. When the wild nights come of storm and raining, And dark waves sweep in with sullen roar, One of us will still be sobbing, straining, After that which tarries evermore. Sea-gulls, with tired wings trailing, The long black billows o'er, Ah ! sea-gulls, wandering, wailing, On the deserted shore, There is nought so sad as failing f MUCH has happened since I went from home : A great creamy yellow rose has blown, All in foamy drifts the pinks have come, And the sparrow's little ones are flown. Have I been but one brief week away ? Long it seemed to me, and loveless too. Yet, my Jessie, 'gainst that time's cold grey Glows one vivid flower, the thought of you. You are just a tiny baby child, Very innocent-eyed and golden-haired, But you put your hand in mine, and smiled, In the far strange town, where no one cared. 20 And you wondered vaguely, I suppose, Why the stranger's lips were quivering so, Why she held you folded long and close In her arms before she let you go. You will never know, my Jessie dear For we shall not meet on earth again- How you crossed a lonely day and drear, Like a sunbeam slanting through the rain. But your fair child's face will shine out still In my heart, through softening mists of tears. I shall ofttimes feel, with sudden thrill, Your sweet lips touch mine, down all the years. And one day, when God has set my feet On His golden heavenly pavement clear, I shall find you in some radiant street Tell you all about it, Jessie dear. 21 THE FIRST CUCKOO. THE dreaming hills are grey as glass, A soft south wind is blowing ; The daisies twinkle in the grass One almost sees them growing. The sky is far away and blue, The fleecy clouds are drifting, And o'er the meadow's vivid hue Quick lights and shades are shifting. Along the brilliant gorse in flower The happy sunshine rushes ; And trembles forth from bush and bower The singing of the thrushes. Hark ! plaintive through the rapturous strain, Upon my ear is falling A note that brings half joy, half pain The tardy cuckoo's calling. 22 THE FIRST CUCKOO. It is the first sweet time this year I've heard that distant chanting, So I've a right to wish. Oh, dear ! If wishing just meant granting ! I'd wish I might have back again A day I well remember, An afternoon of wind and rain That came in late November. The yellow grass was dank that day, The sodden hedges dripping ; A reckless wind from branch and spray Their shivering leaves was stripping. The gloom fell down on birds and men, That day so damp and chilly ; And yet I long for it again When boughs have rose and lily. dear lost time ! the world is gay, The birds are singing only 1 was so happy that grey day, And this sweet day I'm lonely. THE FIRST CUCKOO. 23 The sun pours down his rain of gold Through green young leaves above me ; But oh, for a day of the days of old, And you who used to love me ! MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION. BEAUTIFUL sunbeam, straying In through the wide church door, 1 wish I was with you, playing Down there on the cool stone floor. For I am so tired of sitting Upright and stiff and still, And you, you go dancing, flitting Gaily, wherever you will; And you've nothing to do but glisten, And no one is ever vexed Because you forget to listen, Or can't remember the text. Dear sunbeam, I'm pondering, pondering, Were they all fast asleep the flowers ? When you came on your bright wings wandering, To earth in the morning hours. MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION. 25 And where have you since been roaming The long, long hot day through ? Will you welcome the purple gloaming That means " going home " to you ? Have you been to the river, I wonder ? The river, shining and wide, Where coots dart flashingly under, And water weeds rock with the tide. Did you see the big daisies bobbing ? Were the speedwells like bits of sky ? Did you hear the sad grasses sobbing Whenever the wind went by ? Dear sunbeam, I'll be so lonely When you have gone quite away, And even now you are only A faint gold splash on the grey. Ah ! at last the sermon is over ; I know the text " God is Light " Wait a minute, sunbeam, you rover, And let me bid you " Good Night." A REMONSTRANCE. LET me be ! How could I but remember While the dreary winter days were here, When the ceaseless raining of December Beat upon the windows chill and drear ? Could I meet, with brave heart all unshrinking, The strange year that hurried towards me fast, While there were such long, long nights for thinking On the sweet and bitter of the past ? Perhaps I'd have forgot when spring came, bringing Drifts of flowers and radiant skies of blue, And the thrush with sudden raptured singing Thrilled the odorous larch woods through and through. But a thought, that crossed the joy of finding One day the first purple violet, Filled my eyes with quick tears burning, blinding- Shook my soul with passionate regret. A REMONSTRANCE. 27 Now there are bright trails of poppies, setting All the golden harvest fields aflame, And I am no nearer to forgetting Than I was before the summer came. Haply by the time dead leaves are driving On the pitiless wind from every tree, You'll believe how wearily I'm striving, Realize how vainly. Let me be ! MARIGOLDS. IT has gone from us, our sweet summer weather, Passed with its glow and sunshine bliss away ; I and the marigolds are sad together We had half hoped that it would always stay. In the deserted dreary garden spaces We are alone, the mangolds and I ; Coldly the air is blowing on our faces Out of a gusty cloud-heaped evening sky. By the far river goes a heron sailing With his wide purple wings all sunset-lit ; Turns from the frayed, gold west so quickly paling, Flies towards the grey, is lost a flash in it. MARIGOLDS. 29 Slowly the fearful dark comes creeping, growing, Blurs the red glimmer of the maple leaves, Steals down to where my marigolds are showing, And parts them from their friend, who stands and grieves. A VOYAGE IN THE ROCKING CHAIR. A QUAINT, old room, full of firelight glow : Warm glint and gleam, a shadowy wall, Showers of vivid red sparks that fall- The rocking-chair swings low. A long, gold, billowy sweep of sky : Between that wondrous glory and me, Flickering leaves on a poplar tree- The rocking-chair swings high. Now seems the world of the work-a-day A dim coast-line, that lessens and dies. Dreamily blissful, I sink and rise With quiet rhythmic sway. A VOYAGE IN THE ROCKING CHAIR. 31 My pilot, Peace, brings me safe to far Ideal Land. I drift with the tide, Up the still waters that lie inside The shining harbour bar. A LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY. AWAY from the town, in the safe retreat Of a rare old garden, sunny and sweet, Four little happy children played In and out of the light and shade, Through a long summer's blissful prime, Once on a time. Between the garden borders neat The gravel-walks stretched warm and wide. The diligent brown-coated bees Were ever astir Among the roses and lavender And the great dark pansies, yellow-eyed, And the faint sweet-peas. But the children on their tireless feet Flitted about in the pleasant heat Like the butterflies, Nor ever cared to stray outside A LESSOA r IN GEOGRAPHY. 33 Their Paradise. Round the old garden was a wall ; Snapdragons crowded along the ledge, Crimson and tall, And in every niche and crevice small Tiny mosses uncurled. And though the children would often try, And even stand on tip-toe to look, They could hardly see over the top at all. But there was one corner not quite so high, And above it, against the farthest edge Of the beautiful sky (The part that was golden and green and red In the evenings, when they were going to bed) A row of poplars shook and shook ; And the children said The poplars must be the end of the world. On one of those happy summer days- When the garden borders were all ablaze, And the children for once felt too hot to play, Though all their lessons were done, Bat lay On the grass and watched a delicate haze D 34 A LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY. Quiver across the brooding blue Up to the sun Something happened strange and new. For a beggar pushed open the garden door And stood in the flooding sunshine bright Full in the wondering children's sight, A pale-faced woman, young and footsore, With a baby boy on her arm. Her ragged dress was all powdered grey With the dust of the road. She fixed a long bewildered gaze On the quaint old garden gay, Then, with a sudden smile and a nod, She pointed in rapt delight To the place where, cool and shimmering white, The lilies shone Touched the baby and said, " Ah ! plaze, If it wudn't do them flowers no harm, Childhren, will yiz give him wan For the love o' God ? " The children stared, an awe-struck band, At the stranger pair. Then the youngest ran, and with one bold twist Of his firm little wrist A LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY. 35 He wrenched a thick lily stem in two, And put it, with all its blossoms fair, In the beggar baby's hand. " Ah ! acushla," the woman said, " there's few In this hard world like_y J. B. B. NICHOLS. LOVE IN IDLENESS, with Vignette by W. B. SCOTT. Fcap. 8vo, half vellum. i2s. net. [Very few remain. Transferred by the A^lthors to the present Publishers. The 'Publications of BENSON (ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER). POEMS. 500 copies, 121110. $s. net. [hi preparation. BENSON (EUGENE). FROM THE ASOLAN HILLS. A Poem. 300 copies, imp. i6mo. 5.?. net. [Very few remain. BINYON (LAWRENCE). POEMS. i2mo. 5^. net. [In preparation. BOURDILLON (F. W.}. A LOST GOD. A Poem, with Illustrations by H. J. FORD. 500 copies, 8vo. 6s.net. [Very few remain. BOURDILLON (F. W.). AILES D'ALOUETTE. Poems printed at the private press of Rev. H. DANIEL, Oxford. 100 only, i6mo. ^i ios. net. [] r ery few remain. BRIDGES (ROBERT). THE GROWTH OF LOVE. Printed in Fell's old English type at the private press of Rev. H. DANIEL, Oxford. 100 only, fcap 410. 2 I2s. 6d. net. [Very few remain. COLERIDGE (HON. STEPHEN). THE SANCTITY OF CONFESSION. A Romance. 2nd edition, cr. 8vo. 3*. net. [A few remain . CRANE (WALTER). RENASCENCE : a Book of Verse. Frontispiece and 38 designs by the Author, imp. i6mo. 73. 6d. net. [ Very few remain. Also a few fcap. 4to. \ is. net. And a few fcap. 410, Japanese vellum, \ 15^. net. Glkin ^Ma thews fcf John Lane CROSSING (WM.). THE ANCIENT CROSSES OF DARTMOOK. With n plates, 8vo, cloth. 4-r. 6d. net. [ Very few remain. DAVIDSON (JOHN). PLAYS : Scaramouch in Naxos : An Unhistorical Pastoral ; A Romantic Farce. Post 8vo. $s.net. [A few remain. Transferred by the Author to the present Publishers. DAVIDSON (JOHN). FLEET ST. ECLOGUES. 2nd edition, fcap. 8vo, buckram. 5_y. net. DAVIDSON (JOHN). BRUCE : A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. Fcap. 8vo. $s. net. The few remaining copies transferred by the Author to the present Publishers. DA VIDSON (JOHN). THE NORTH WALL. Fcap. 8vo. 2s. 6d. net. The few remaining copies transferred by the Author to the present Publishers. DE GRUCHY (AUGUSTA). UNDER THE HAWTHORN AND OTHER VERSES. Frontis- piece by Walter Crane. 300 copies, cr. 8vo. 55. net. Also 30 copies on Japanese vellum. 15^. net. DE TABLE Y (LORD). POEMS, DRAMATIC AND LYRICAL. By JOHN LEICESTER WARREN (Lord De Tabley), illustrations and cover design by C. S. RlCKETTS. 2nd edition, cr. 8vo. js. 6d. net. The Publications of DIAL (THE). No. i of the second series. Illustrations by RICKETTS, SHANNON, PISSAKRO, 200 only, 410. i is. net. [_ Very few remain. The present series will le continued at irregular intervals. FIELD (MICHAEL}. SIGHT AND SONG (I'oems on Pictures). 400 copies 121110. 55. net. [Very few remain. FIELD (MICHAEL}. STEPHANIA : A TRIALOGUE IN 3 ACTS. 250 copies pott 410. 6s. net. [ Very few remain. GALE (NORMAN). ORCHARD SONGS. Fcap. 8vo, with title-page and cover design by WILL ROTHENSTEIN. 55. net. Also a special edition limited in number on small paper (Whatman) bound in English vellum, i is. net. [In preparation. GOSSE (EDMUND). THE LETTERS OF THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES. No\v first edited, cr. 8vo. [In preparation. GRAHAME (KENNETH). PAGAN PAPERS : A VOLUME OF ESSAYS. Cr. 8vo. $s. net. [In preparation. GREENE (G. A.). ITALIAN LYRISTS OF To-DAY. Translations in the original metres from about 35 living Italian poets with bibliographi- cal and biographical notes, cr. 8vo. $s. net. [In preparation. Slkin [Mathews & John Lane HAKE (T, GORDON). A SELECTION FROM HIS POEMS. Edited by Mrs. MEYNELL, cr. 8vo. 5-y. net. {.In preparation. HALL AM (ARTHUR HENRY). THE POEMS, together with his essay "On Some of the Characteristics of Modern Poetry and on the Lyrical Poems of Alfred Tennyson." Edited, with an introduction, by RICHARD LE GALLIENNE. 550 copies, fcap. 8vo. 55. net. [ Very feiv remain. HAMILTON (COL. IAN). THE BALLAD OF HADJI AND OTHER POEMS. Etched frontispiece by WM. STRANG. 550 copies, i2mo. 35. net. Transferred by the Autlior to the present Publishers. HAYES (ALFRED). THE VALE OF ARDEN AND OTHER POEMS. Fcap. 8vo. 55. net. {.In preparation H 1C KEY (EMILY H.}. VERSE TALES, LYRICS AND TRANSLATIONS. 300 pages, imp. i6mo. 5*. net. HORNE (HERBERT P.). DIVERSI COLORES. Poems, with ornaments by the Autlior, 250 copies, i6mo. 55. net. IMAGE (SELWYN). CAROLS AND POEMS, with decorations by H. P. HORNE. 250 copies. 5-r. net. [/ preparation. JOHNSON (EFFIE). IN THE FIRE AND OTHER FANCIES. Frontispiece by WALTER CRANE. 500 copies, imp. i6mo. 3*. 6d. net. 8 The "Publications of JOHNSON (LIONEL). THE ART OF THOMAS HARDY. Six Essays, with etched portrait by WM. STRANG, and Bibliography by JOHN LANE, cr. 8vo. 55. 6d. net. Also 150 copies, large paper, with proofs of the portrait is. is. net. [ Very shortly. JOHNSON (LIONEL). A VOLUME OF POEMS. 121110. 55. net. [In preparation. KEATS (JOHN}. THREE ESSAYS, now issued in book form for the first time. Edited by H. EuxTON FORMAN, with life-mask by HAYDON. Fcap 410. IQS. 6d.net. \Very few remain. LEATHER (R. K.}. VERSES. 250 copies fcap. 8vo. 3^. net. Transferred by the Author to the present Publishers. LEATHER (R. K.), & RICHARD LE GALLIENNE. THE STUDENT AND THE BODY-SNATCHER AND OTHER TRIFLES. 250 copies, roy. i8mo. y. net. Also 50 copies, large paper, js. 6d. net. [ Very few remain. LE GALLIENNE (RICHARD). PROSE FANCIES. With cover design and title-page by WILL ROTHENSTEIN. S.T. net. Also a limited large paper edition. izs. 6d. net. {.In preparation. LE GALLIENNE (RICHARD}. THE BOOK BILLS OF NARCISSUS. An account rendered by RICHARD LE GALLIENNE. 2nd edition, cr. 8vo, buck- ram. 5. SI kin ZM at hews & John Lane LE GALLIENNE (RICHARD). ENGLISH POEMS. 2nd edition, i2mo. 55. net. LE GALLIENNE (RICHARD}. GEORGE MEREDITH : some Characteristics; with a Bibliography (much enlarged) by JOHN LANE, portrait, &c. 3rd edition, cr. 8vo. 5-r. 6d. net. LE GALLIENNE (RICHARD). THE RELIGION OF A LITERARY MAN. Fcap. 8vo. y. 6d. Also a special edition on hand-made paper. los. 6d. net. [in preparation. LETTERS TO LIVING ARTISTS. 500 copies, fcap. 8vo. y. 6d. net. [ Very few remain. MARSTON (PHILIP BOURKE). A LAST HARVEST: LYRICS AND SONNETS FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE Edited by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON. 500 copies, post 8vo. 5^. net. Also 50 copies on large paper, hand-made. los. 6d. net. [Very few remain. MARTIN (W. WILSEY). QUATRAINS, LIFE'S MYSTERY AND OTHER POEMS. i6mo. 2s. 6d. net. [ Very few remain. MARZIALS (THEO.). THE GALLERY OF PIGEONS AND OTHER POEMS. Post 8vo. 4J. 6d. net. \_Veryfew remain. Transferred by the Author to the present Publishers. MEYNELL (MRS.), (ALICE C. THOMPSON). POEMS. 2nd edition, fcap. 8vo. 35. 6d. net. A few of the 50 large paper copies (ist edition) remain. 12S. 6d. net. io The Publications of MEYNELL (MRS.). THE RHYTHM OF LIFE AND OTHER ESSAYS. 2nd edition, fcap. 8vo. y. 6d. net. A few of the 50 large paper copies (ist edition) remain, 125. 6d. net. MURRAY (ALMA], PORTRAIT AS BEATRICE CENCI. With critical notice con- taining four letters from ROBERT BROWNING. 8vo, wrapper. 25. net. NETTLESHIP (J. T.}. ROBERT BROWNING. Essays and Thoughts. Third edition, cr. 8vo. 55. 6d. net. Half a dozen of the Whatman L.P. copies (first edition) remain, i is. net. NOBLE (JAS. ASH CROFT). THE SONNET IN ENGLAND AND OTHER ESSAYS. Title-page and cover design by AUSTIN YOUNG. 600 copies, cr. 8vo. 5-f. net. Also 50 copies L.P. I2S. 6d. net. NOEL (HON. RODEN). POOR PEOPLE'S CHRISTMAS. 250 copies. i6mo. is. net. [ Very few remain. OXFORD CHARACTERS. A series of lithographed portraits by WILL ROTHENSTEIN, with text by F. YORK POWELL and others. To be issued monthly in term. Each number will contain two portraits. Part I. ready June 1893, will contain portraits of SIR HENRY ACLAND, K.C.B, F.R.S., M.D., and of Mr. W. A. L. FLETCHER, of Christ Church, Captain of the University Boat Club. 350 copies only, folio, wrapper, 55. net per part ; 50 special copies containing proof impressions of the portraits signed by the artist, los. 6J. net per part. PINKERTON (PERCY). GALEAZZO : A Venetian Episode and other Poems. Etched frontispiece. i6mo. 55. net. {.Very few remain. Transferred by the Author to the present Publishers, Slkin fMatbezus ff John Lane 1 1 RADFORD (DOLLIE). SONGS. A new volume of verse. [In preparation . RADFORD (ERNEST). CHAMBERS TWAIN. Frontispiece by WALTER CRANE. 250 copies. Imp. i6mo. 55. net. Also 50 copies large paper, IQS. 6d. net. [Very few remain. RHYMERS 1 CLUB, THE BOOK OF THE. A second series is in preparation. SCHAFF (DR. P.). LITERATURE AND POETRY : Papers on Dante, etc. Portrait and Plates, 100 copies only. 8vo. IDS. net. SCOTT (WM. BELL). A POET'S HARVEST HOME : WITH AN AFTERMATH. 300 copies, i2mo. 5.?. net. [ Very few remain. *** Will not be reprinted. STODDARD (R. H.). THE LION'S CUB ; WITH OTHER VERSE. Portrait. 100 copies only, bound in an illuminated Persian design. Fcap. 8vo. 5_y. net. [Very few remain. SYMONDS (JOHN ADDINGTON). IN THE KEY OF BLUE, AND OTHER PROSE ESSAYS. Cover design by C. S. RICKETTS. 2nd edition, thick cr. 8vo. 8*. 6d. net. THOMPSON (FRANCIS). A VOLUME OF POEMS. i2mo. ss. net. [In preparation. TODHUNTER (JOHN). A SICILIAN IDYLL. Frontispiece by WALTER CRANE. 250 copies. Imp. i6mo. $s. net. Also 50 copies large paper, fcap. 410. los. 6d. net. [Very few remain. 12 The Publications of TOM SON (GRAHAM R.). AFTER SUNSET. A volume of Poems. 121110. 55. net. Also a limited large paper edition. \zs. 6d. net. [7n preparation. TREE (H. BEERBOHM). THE IMAGINATIVE FACULTY, a Lecture delivered at the Royal Institution. With portrait of Mr. TREE from an unpublisht d drawing by the Marchioness of Granby. Fcap. 8vo, boards. 2s. 6d. net. {.Immediately. TYNAN (KATHARINE). A NEW VOLUME OF POEMS. 55. net. [/ preparation. VAN DYKE (HENRY). THE POETRY OF TENNYSON. 3rd edition, enlarged, cr. 8vo. 5.?. 6d. net. The late Laureate himself gave valuable aid in correcting various details. WATSON (WILLIAM). THE ELOPING ANGELS : A CAPRICE. Second edition, sq. i6mo, buckram. 3^. 6d. net. WATSON (WILLIAM). EXCURSIONS IN CRITICISM; BEING SOME PROSE RECREATIONS OF A RHYMER. 2nd edition, 121110. 5^. net. WATSON (WILLIAM). THE PRINCE'S QUEST, AND OTHER POEMS. With a biblio- graphical note added. 2nd edition, i2mo. 45. 6d. net. WEDMORE (FREDERICK). PASTORALS OF FRANCE RENUNCIATIONS. A volume of Stories. Title-page by JOHN FULLEYLOVE, R.I. Cr. 8vo. 55. net. [In preparation. A few of the large paper copies of Reminciations (1st edition] remain, ios. 6d. net. Slkin {Mathews & John Lane 13 WICKSTEED (P. H.). DANTE : Six SERMONS. 3rd edition cr. 8vo. 2s. net. WILDE (OSCAR). THE SPHINX. A Poem decorated throughout in line and colour and bound in a design by CHARLES RICKETTS. 250 copies 2 2S. net. 25 copies large paper, ^5. 5^. net. \^In preparation. WILDE (OSCAR). The incomparable and ingenious history of Mr. W. H., being the true secret of Shakespear's sonnets now for the first time here fully set forth, with initial letters and cover design by CHARLES RICKETTS. 500 copies IDS. 6d. net. Also 50 copies large paper, 2is. net. [^In preparation. WILDE (OSCAR). DRAMATIC WORKS, now printed for the first time with a specially designed title-page and binding to each volume, by CHARLES SHANNON. 500 copies 75. 6d net. Also 50 copies large paper, 15^. net. Vol. i. LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN. A comedy in four acts. Vol. ii. THE DUCHESS OF PADUA. A blank verse tragedy in five acts. Vol. in. A WOMAN OF No IMPORTANCE. A comedy in four acts. \Jti preparation. WILDE (OSCAR). SALOME : A TRAGEDY IN ONE ACT, done into English, with 10 illustrations, and cover design by AUBREY BEARDSLEY. 500 copies, 155 net. Also 50 copies, large paper, y>s. net. l/n preparation. WYNNE (FRANCES). WHISPER. A volume of Verse. Fcap. 8vo, buckram, 2S. 6d. net Transferred by the Author to the Present Publishers. fMatkews & Jo hi Lane The Hobby Horse A new series of this illustrated magazine will be published quarterly by subscription, under the Editorship of Herbert P. Home. Subscrip- tion ^i per annum, post free, for the four numbers. Quarto, printed on hand-made paper, and issued in a limited edition, to subscribers only. The magazine will contain articles upon Literature, Music, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, and the Decorative Arts ; Poems ; Essays; Fiction; original Designs; with reproductions of pictures and drawings by the old masters and con- temporary artists. There will be a new title-page and ornaments designed by the Edito". Among the contributors to the Hobby Horse are : THE LATE MATTHEW ARNOLD. LAWRENCE BINYON. WILFRID BLUNT. FORD MADOX BROWN. THE LATE ARTHUR BURGESS. E. BURNE-JONES, A.R.A. AUSTIN DOBSON. RICHARD GARNETT, LL.D. A. J. HIPKINS, F.S.A. SELWYN IMAGE. LIONEL JOHNSON. RICHARD LE GALLIENNE. SIR F. LEIGHTON, Bart., P.R.A. T. HOPE McLACHLAN. MAY MORRIS. C. HUBERT H. PARRY, Mus. Doc. A. W. POLLARD. F. YORK POWELL. CHRISTINA G. ROSSETTI. W. M. ROSSETTI. JOHN RUSKIN, D.C.L., LL.D. FREDERICK SANDYS. THE LATE W. BELL SCOTT. FREDERICK J. SHIELDS. J H. SHORTHOUSE. JAMES SMEIHAM. SIMEON SOLOMON. A. SOMERVELL. THE LATE J. ADDINGTON SYMOND. KATHARINE TYNAN. G. F. WATTS, R.A. FREDERICK WEDMORE. OSCAR WILDE. ETC. ETC. Prospectiis on application. THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO STREET, LONDON, W. "Nearly every book put out by MESSRS. ELKIN MATHEWS AND JOHN LANE, at the sign of the Bodley Head, is a satisfaction to the special senses of the modern bookman for bindings, shapes, types, and papers. They have surpassed themselves and registered a real achievement in English book-making by the volume of ' Poems, Dramatic and Lyrical ' of Lord De Tabley. " Newcastle Daily Chronicle. gtLitionsitt THE LAST THIS BOOK IS ^ BELO W ot 221931 SES> :May'49)$ '-. . - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY