POETRY AND SONG. As ANTHOLOGY FOR CHILDREN, Book 4. Read by Tony Church, Michael Hordern, Barbara Jefford, Richard Johnson, Eamon Keane, Lauree Lee, Peter Orr, Prunella Scales, William Squire, Gary Watson, Patrick Wymark. Sung by The Critics Group, Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, Choir of St John's College, Cambridge. Directed by Harley Usill. Argo Q DA60-3 (four 12 in., 146s. 8d.). Recorded in association with Macmillan & Co. Ltd. A booklet on this series entitled Poetry and Song in the Classroom will be available from Argo later in 1968.

This is the last of the four sets, of four records each, comprising Argo's magnificent series designed for secondary school children, but in fact a joy to the entire population with ears. I would like also to pay tribute to the accompanying books from Macmillan (one for each set of records), which the publishers have kindly let me see. These, too, are most imaginatively designed, and in fact contain additional poems, for which space could not be found on the records. Together with the original "Rhyme and Rhythm" set of four records aimed at the 7 to 11's, the whole anthology is a wonderful achievement, and perhaps the finest single collection of English poetry on disc, with all due respect to so much fine work that is now available. We have come a long way from the first tentative beginnings of the spoken word on record, and Argo's pioneer work over the last decade and more must have shown conclusively that there is a sufficient public for it, otherwise they would not still be at it! Once again, the poems are conveniently banded by subject, and in every case the readers are chosen with the surest touch. If Richard Johnson has the lion's share this time this is no more than his due, but equally this is no more than to be reminded of Ouida's rowing eight, where all rowed fast but none so fast as stroke. In "War", Byron's The Eve of Waterloo rubs shoulders with C. Day Lewis's The Misfit, and there is a lovely poem by D. H. Lawrence called Kangaroo, a most touching scene and utterly different though no less beautiful than his famous snake poem, which we had earlier. How many people know Charles Cansley's HMS Glory at Sydney? Not much, perhaps, on the page, but my goodness what a magnificent evocation in the voice of Mr Johnson. In this set the songs and ballads are not overdone and fall neatly into place; there is also more variety in their performance, and though he is not mentioned by name most people will recognize Peter Pears in Morley's contemporary setting of 0 Mistress Mine. As usual the last side is a blaze of religious verse of praise and thanksgiving with the choir of St John's College, Cambridge rejoicing us with King Jesus hath a garden, as light as thistledown. Donne's famous lines At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners remind us of our mortality, but Herrick restores our confidence and sends us happily away with His Creed. When, please, does term start again? R.W.