The Intermediate Text - Book of English History. By A. Johnson Evans
and C. S Fearenside. Vol. IV., 1714-1835. (W. B. Clive. 4s. 6d.) —This book is just what is wanted by the pedagogue, the student, and the amateur who wishes to "recuperate" in facts, dates, and causes. It is the right mixture of details and " the reason why," and the narrative is enlivened by apt quotations, epigrams, and humorous sayings. The auxiliary apparatus is good; the index, pedigrees, analytical and synoptical tables, cross-references, headings, typographical devices are models for imitation. Almost beyond praise is the quasi-tabular " Con- stitutional Analysis," which notes such recent laws as the Army end Navy Discipline Acts of 1381 and 1866. The journalist or platform orator may profit by an ingenious chart which indicates at a glance, by help of certain graphic contrivances, the state of the international antagonisms of 1715-92 ; it shows, e.g., how during that period England and France, except for a few years, were in a chronic condition of war and " pin-pricks." These authors are seldom to be caught tripping, but they wrongly ascribe the recall in 1795 of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, Earl Fitzwilliam, to the King's interference, and, in other respects, misstate the realities of the case. The diplomatic sections are excellent, such new Continental lights as Sorel, Thureau-Dangin, and Koser appear to have been consulted: the accounts of American affairs were sent to New York for correction ! Too philosophical is the establishment of a nexus between the partitions of Poland and the loss of our American Celonies,—an idea refuted, moreover, by dates. In the Waterloo section we read that at 4 p.m. the approach of the Prussians obliged the French to extend, and thus weaken their front Napoleon personally detected the advance of Below from the direction of Wavre almost before the battle began, and at once detached Lobau and the young Huard to the appropriate position on his right.
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