The Fortnightly Review.
Mr. R. Bruce Lockhart contributes a well-informed pen- portrait of Trotsky. We have, fortunately, got beyond the time when we were assured on all hands that Russian Bolshe-
viks are apocalyptic monsters • and it is essential now that we should have sane information about Soviet politicians. Mr. Lockhart makes Trotsky appear credible and vivid ; he confirms at first hand our impression of him as a fiercely energetic opportunist, passionate, eloquent, clever and egotis- tical. No one can deny him greatness ; but he has never been constructive or judicious, and he lacks completely any co-ordination of his talents. It becomes clearer every day that the master and controller of Russia has been Lenin, that it was Lenin's sincerity of purpose and coolness of judg- ment that has kept Russia from complete disintegration, and that without his guidance Russia will be in the greatest jeopardy. - Mr. George Moore gives a pleasant dialogue be- tween Mr. Edmund Gosse and himself, mainly upon Anne Bronto. Here and there it seems a little stiffly written for a reported conversation ; but perhaps it is all the more true to fact.
Previous page
