"The Beginnings of Poetry," by Francis B. Gummere '75, is a careful and rather extensive study of the use of poetry as a social institution; it has for its aim, to quote from the opening chapter, "the recording, the classifying and the comparing of the poetic product at large." This involves an analysis of poetry with the view of determining its essential characteristic, which, the author decides, is rhythm. As will be seen, the strictness of the above conclusion bars out all so-called "poetic prose," such as the nobler passages in the Old Testament of the Bible. Indeed this result is necessary to the coherence of the idea which runs throughout the work, that poetry is the outward sign of the social sense in man, indicated by "the consent of rhythm," and not implying, in its primitive forms at least, any depth of purpose or feeling. Proofs regarding the truth of this proposition are taken from ethnology from the results of psychological research, and from the history of poetry itself. With this premise, the rest of the subject matter falls naturally into place. The dualism of poetry is first discussed, that is, its division into "one class where the communal spirit and environment condition the actual making, and into another class where the artist, the individual, has upper hand from the start." After the distinction between these two forms is established, each is treated in its relation to external influences. Special force is here laid on the nature and growth of communal poetry, including songs of mourning, bridal songs, the refrain, flytings, festal refrains and the dance. This general subject fills the last part of the book, including four chapters.

The book is essentially one for reference, rather than for casual reading. In style it is broken and too full of extracts to be easily or pleasantly followed, a fault which is made worse by the scientific manner of treatment that pervades most of the chapters. The remarks on communal forms of poetry are, however, of considerable interest to the general public and should be of value to every student of verse in its primitive forms.

"The Beginnings of Poetry," Francis B. Gummere. The Macmillan Company, Price $2.50.