The Blues and the Brigands. By M. M. Blake. (Jerrold
and Sons.)—Miss Blake has made an interesting story out of the French Revolution, dealing particularly with that part which contains the siege of Nantes by the Vend6ans. But we hardly think that the author has made the different situations clear or sufficiently defined the various political parties. Boys and girls, for whom we suppose the story is particularly written, will fail to understand from the story itself several incidents for which a. more complete knowledge of that period is absolutely necessary. Besides, we see no reason why the story, even if it is supposed to be the recollections of a Frenchman, should be full of such phrases as "You have reason," "I who speak to you," and innumerable others, as well as a style which reminds us of a Bohn's translation from the classics. If it is from the French, at any rate let it be a polished and elegant version. In spite of these defects, the story is good, and the characters are well drawn, especially that of Lazare Hoche, who rose from the ranks to be a General, and who, though a child of the Revolution, had nothing in common with such men as Robespierre or Carrier, who with their associates gave to the Revolution its name for a time of incomparable cruelties and atrocities.
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