26 JUNE 1926, Page 24

I HNIATURE PORTRAITS. By Gedeon Tenement des Beaux. (Guy Chapman.

15s. net.) TALL.P.mAxr DES RiALTX (1619-1692) wrote very brilliant and entertaining sketches of his contemporaries ; he is one

of the patterns for the indiscreet memoirist. In Mr. Hamish Miles' selection we have several of the most vivid portraits.

The book is " frankly designed for the common reader " ; but no doubt there will be serious readers glad to have the Historiettes rendered in such natural and colloquial English. The longest and most important sketch is of Cardinal Richelieu. Amongst others included are Henry IV., Louis XIII., Madame de Rambouillet and Ninon de l'Enelos—and indeed, almost all the most celebrated of his contemporaries. The type is Caslon Old Face, and the volume is very well produced.