10 MARCH 1917, Page 18

England in fits Mediterranean,1603-1713. By Julian S. Corbett. 2 vols..

(Longarans and Co. 16s. net..)—We are glad to see that. Sir Julian, Corbett's; extremely able and fascinating study of the beginnings of our naval power in the Mediterranean has reached a second- edition. The -War has- revealed to many of us the immense importance of the Mediterranean to the Empire, but to understand it fully we must got back to the Stuarts, who, though bad rulers, had on the whole a•vers, proper appreciation of sea-power. Blake's deeds, and the attempts to find a naval base, first at Tangier and then, more happily, at Gibraltar, are among the chief episodes of these volumes. It is seldom remembered to Cromwell's credit that he wanted to occupy Gibraltar, fifty year* before it became ours.