THE VENETIAN REPUBLIC.
The Venetian Republic: its Rise, its Growth, and its Pull, 421- 1797. By W. Carew Hazlitt. 2 vols. (Adam and Charles Black. 42s.)—This huge work is practically a new history of Venice by Mr. W. C. Hazlitt, upon whose wonderful industry wo may con- gratulate him. It is really a monumental work of immense learning, charged with detail derived from original research. Twenty-three years ago the design was formed, to-day that design stands completed. It was a heroic attempt, and the labour involved must have been prodigious. There is no aspect of Venetian life which is not here dealt with. The work is not merely a record of Venetian politics, but of social, artistic, religious, and ordinary daily life. For a full account of Venice it must supersede all other works, so far as English readers are concernel. We cannot say we altogether like Mr Hazlitt's style, for his sentences are apt to be unduly long, while his narrative never rises beyond a respectable excellence of a fair average kind. He has also a tendency at times not to see the wood for the trees, or, at least, to convey to his readers the feeling that they do not. But, so far as we have tested this voluminous work, we have found it accurate and faithful. The writer has complete sympathy with his subject, and he grasps the policy of the great State with sufficient firmness. In these days of ephemeral books, it is some satisfaction to the student of history to meet with such a great piece of solid book-building as this. We say advisedly book. building, not book-making,—they are very different arts. We hail Mr. Hazlitt as a true builder.
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