Th e Siege of Vienna : a Tale of 1683. Translated
from the German .of Caroline Pichler. 3 vole. (Samuel Tinsley.)—The "siege of Vienna" does not commence till we get to the third volume, nor is it then made as interesting as the records of a Mega eometimee have been. At the same time, the author deserves the greatest credit for the dili- gence and conscientiousness, truly characteristic of her nation, with which she has consulted and employed her authorities. She is careful to tell us which of her incidents and descriptions are historical. But she cannot be allowed to have the talent—granted, it should be remem- bered, to but very few—of making a long-past ago live again. The two sisters who are the heroines of the tale interest us but little. We are aot agitated by the vicissitudes of their life-romances, nor compelled to
sympathise with their sorrows and joys. The reader may be sure that all the personages whom he meets, be they imaginary or real, are accurately presented, but then ho is little disposed to make a close acquaintance with them.
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