Frederick the Great. By H. Tuttle. 2 vols., 1740-56. With
2 Maps. (Longmans and Co.)—Mr. Tuttle is quite right when he says that the part played by Frederick in his reign renders neces- sary the preponderance of biographical matter. The mere fact of the title of his work sufficiently indicates the importance of the King's overpowering personality. And though Mr. Tuttle tries to look upon Frederick as only one of the actors in the progress of Prussia, the attention of the student of history is all the more centred on the figure of the King. The history of Frederick was the history of Europe. We get a striking picture of the great General, and one that is drawn with an impartiality somewhat rare. It is needless, therefore, to remark that such a picture brings out to the full the meanness, the treachery, and the un- mitigated ruffianism of the man. So continuous and involved was Frederick's deceit, that a sober mind wonders that he so seldom overreached himself. He had always, indeed, a final resort, that of violence, or, to put it more gently, action; in that, indeed, lay his greatness. The manner in which Mr. Tattle enables us to grasp the contemporary statesmanship is really deserving of high praise ; it shows forcibly how little the wretched and feeble diplomacy of the allies deserved the term. The rude and often laughable statecraft of the Prussian King compares favourably indeed with that of his adversaries. The leading characters in the two Silesian wars are sketched in a few lines with a truth and force that leave little to be desired. These two volumes are, indeed, interesting reading ; the chain of events is always continuous, and rarely overlaps ; and the two campaigns in Silesia are described with clearness and commented on with brevity. We cannot help thinking that too much space is devoted to the ephemeral diplomacy of the various Courts ; such studies are interesting, but do not help the reader when carried too far. We look forward with much pleasure to the narrative of the Seven Years' War which is promised us by Mr. Tuttle.
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