Carroll and Graf have produced some interesting editions of Victorian/Edwardian erotic literature, but perhaps more than most they have been over-free with their re-casting of the material they have reproduced. 'The Cunning Linguist' is their rather odd choice of portmanteau title for two quite distinct, and quite well-known erotic novels, normally entitled: 'The Altar of Venus', and 'Laura Middleton'. The latter has here been oddly named 'Maid and Mistress'. As far as I can tell, plates from earlier editions of these works have been used in this production, apart from re-pagination of the latter work to maintain uniformity throughout. My reviews of the two novels which comprise this book are, I hope, still available here. The book itself, leaving aside any confusion it causes, is a useful contribution in the genre of erotic literature. ( )