16 DECEMBER 1899, Page 20

Josephine, Empress and Queen. By F. Masson. Translated by- Mrs.

Cashel Hoey. (Goupil and Co., Paris. 63s. net.)—Josephine. is appropriately commemorated in a volume which is chiefly notable for the beauty of its illustrations,—for her looks and her dresses and her general elegance were the most noteworthy- things about her. The art of the Empire was not good art, but such as it was it exactly suited the Empress. The life of Josephine cannot be made really interesting, for there was very, little in her, except the most colossal spendthriftness that the world has ever seen, coupled with a good deal of selfish amiability and a great deal of social charm. At the same time, Josephine was never really a great lady, but only a person who could give a. wonderfully successful impersonation of that part when on the. Imperial stage. The book is worthy to rank in point of " get- up " with the rest of the Goupil historical publications.