SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Notice in this celumn does not necessarily preclude sampan: review.]
The Man Napoleon. By William H. Hudson. (George G. Harrap and Co. 7s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Hudson's avowed aim is to give a sketch of Napoleon "disengaged from history," leaving out of account as far as possible "his work and influence in either the military or the civil field." That the character of the "Little Corporal" should come rather badly out of such an analysis might have been expected, for no one seriously contends that Napoleon was a hero in private life, but surely not so badly as he is presented by his newest biographer. On the last page of his book Mr. Hudson says : "The writer of these pages has, he hopes, made it abundantly clear that his own feeling for their subject is not admiration, but aversion, not unmingled with both pity and contempt." We gather that he disapproves of the adulation which has placed Napoleon "among the trans- cendent heroes of our race," and wishes to display him as "a colossal image with feet of clay." "Aversion, not unmingled with both pity and contempt," need not necessarily preclude an "impartial and just" criticism such as Mr. Hudson tells us was his object, but in this case it seems to us to have done so. His attitude throughout is so hostile that the reader instinctively takes sides with Napoleon ! Mr. Hudson, who is popular as a writer as well as on the lecture platform, writes so easily and interestingly that it is to be regretted that his book should give the effect of vindictiveness and of a lack of restraint.
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