And although, in yet another, we are told, pleasantly enough, how the water went down into the valleys, where it set itself gaily to saw wood, and on into the plains, where it would soberly carry grain to town; yet the real strength of the fable is when it dealt with the shut pool in which certain unfortunate raindrops are imprisoned among slugs and snails, and in the company of an old toad.

The sodden contentment of the fallen acorn is strangely significant; and it is astonishing how unpleasantly we are startled by the appearance of her horrible lover, the maggot.
And now for a last word, about the style.

This is not easy to criticise.
It is impossible to deny to it rapidity, spirit, and a full sound; the lines are never lame, and the sense is carried forward with an uninterrupted, impetuous rush.

But it is not equal.

After passages of really admirable versification, the author falls back upon a sort of loose, cavalry manner, not unlike the style of some of Mr.Browning's minor pieces, and almost inseparable from wordiness, and an easy acceptation of somewhat cheap finish.