The History of France under the Bourbons. By Charles Duke
Yonge. Vols. III. and IV. (Tinsloy.)—The period over which these two volumes of Mr. Yonge's work extend is that beginning with the death of Louis XIV. and ending with the death of Louis XVI. Great events are comprised in that time, not only for France, but for Europe, and Mr. Yonge has done justice to some of them, although as a general rule his history is deficient in marked power and originality. He has drawn apparently from printed sources alone, and he has not attempted to add much to the existing stock of knowledge and insight. An occasional slovenliness of style, a confusion of pronouns, a failure to appreciate the force of French word; and a forgetfulness of the most characteristic touches of great scenes, may also be laid to his charge. Bat in other respects his work has been executed with credit to him- self, and will be read botlt with interest and advantage. There is enough detail to relieve the dryness of second-hand history, while the writer never subsides into a mere compiler or collector of gossip. And even if we call the book second-hand, we must not forget to men- tion that its sources, though printed, are not English. Mr. Yonge has gone to France for his materials. It would have been bettor in somo respects if he had gone to Germany as well, for then he would not have given credence to some theories which the industry of German inquirers has exploded. But the French writers on whom he relies are for the most part trustworthy, and he certainly cannot be accused of having borrowed from borrowers, or of having blindly followed blind guides.
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