A new view of Horatio Nelson (Jonathan Cape, 10s. 6d.)
cannot but prove attractive. We all desire to hear more about the private lives of heroes whatever our pride may lead us to say. But Mr. George Edinger and Mr. E. J. C. Neep have failed to draw a convincing portrait The private petti- ness bears undue proportion to the public greatness of the man. The result is a picture of two people. The death which so greatly became him in tradition is made too unbecoming here. The fascination of Lady Hamilton also is destroyed. We know she was fascinating—are not her portraits on every wall ? Nelson's infatuation was surely no despicable intrigue as it appears here. The authors seem to have a great many facts in their favour, but surely the universality of an impression made upon contemporaries, friends, and enemies cannot count for nothing. * * * *
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