Metternich, by Colonel G. B. Malleson, and Sir Robert Peel,
by F. C. Montague, are two volumes in " The Statesmen Series," published by Messrs. W. H. Allen and Co. Both are valuable contributions to history. Colonel Malleson draws an instructive contrast and comparison between Napoleon and the Austrian
statesman. The two men were enemies—indeed, nothing in this sketch is better than the way in which it shows us how the patient craft of Metternich set itself to contend with the overbearing strength of the great soldier—but there was a curious resemblance between their principles and aims. Both were equally indifferent to human rights, only Napoleon believed in the sword, Metternich in the sceptre. The despotism of the one was toppled down at Waterloo, that of the other in the Revolution of 1848. To English readers, the Life of Sir Robert Peel is naturally even more interesting. Mr. Montague's estimate of his character and work seems to us as complete and as just as any one could desire. He points out with perfect truth and fairness the great drawback to Peel's greatness as a statesman,—he "spent much of his life in opposing several of the reforms which he afterwards carried, and he could not have carried the most im- portant without that power which he had acquired by opposing them." It is no disgrace to a statesman that he changes his opinion ; but—and the statement may well be applied to others besides Peel—" something must be amiss with a statesman whom no experience and no means of information can save from the necessity of yielding the position in which he has entrenched him- self, and of forsaking the followers who have put their trust in him." On the other hand, Peel has almost unequalled titles to gratitude from his countrymen on account of the magnitude and utility of the measures which he introduced and carried. It may fairly be said that no English statesman has ever done so much. Probably, apart from the radical fault of his position, a position to which he was born, Peel's most serious error is to be found in his conduct as a leader of Opposition. He was factious beyond the average of such leaders, though, indeed, this average has been seriously raised of late. Both of these volumes have considerable literary merit. Mr. Montague, in particular, has the command of a terse and vigorous style.
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