12 NOVEMBER 1892, Page 23

CURRENT LITERATURE.

GIFT-BOOKS.

The Story of Nelson and Wellington. (W. and R. Chambers.)— These brief biographies are favourably distinguished by good taste and lucidity of narrative. Thus, what may be termed the seamy side of Nelson's life—his relation with Lady Hamilton— is not ignored, but it is very judiciously and delicately treated. The character of Wellington has am,ple justice done to it, as well as his brilliant and inestimable services to his country. But in the light of what has only within recent years been made known of the Duke's action—and on one occasion his wise inaction—as a statesman, it is surely a mistake to say, that "there was no breadth, no largeness in his notions and maxims of civil polity; he appeared to have no faith in the progress of humanity, no feeling of the strength and majesty of moral power."