HISTORICAL TRIALS. By the late Sir John Macdonell. Edited by
R. W. Lee. (Clarendon Press. 10s.)-Lord Shaw of Dunfermline, in a graceful and judicious preface, pays tribute to the high qualities of the late Sir John Macdonell, as a lawyer and as a man. Those who kileiv of Sir John Macdonell's standing in his profession will not be' surprised at the breadth of view which characterizes his essays on ten famous trials. These essays, written as lectures in the Law School at University College, deal with the cases of Socrates, the Knights Templars, Jeanne d'Arc, Mary Queen of Scots, Servetus, Sir Walter Raleigh, and others, with a special discussion of trials for witchcraft. The author was concerned not so much with the details as with the general procedure, in its bearing on the history of civilization. From this point of view, even those who have made special studies of one or more of the cases will find Sir John Macdonell's dispassionate comments deserving of consideration. He closes an admirable chapter on Giordano Bruno with the reminder that where there is fear-fear of changes rather than personal apprehension-there cannot be justice.
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