The Historical Development of Modern Europe. Vol. I., 1816- 1830.
By C. M. Andrews. (G. P. Putnam's Sons.)—Mr. Andrews's history has many merits. It is clear, concise, and well arranged. It is furnished with useful maps. Mr. Andrews may be supposed to write from the liberal standpoint in what he says of the Italian movement and the Holy Alliance. But he keeps himself very tightly in hand. He might have said worse things about the Sonderbund. And he might have said much worse things about Guizot and the Spanish marriages. In an outline sketch it is difficult to say where more should have been said. Especially is this the case when Mr. Andrews has in his preface spoken of Fyffe's methods as adapted to the needs of more advanced students. Perhaps more might have been hinted as to the history of the intervention in Spain and the English part in it all. It would have been a very great gain to have had the authorities set out on each page. Turning to the other side of the picture, one may criticise, perhaps, some of Mr. Andrews's philosophy. " National unity and individual liberty constitutionally defined are the terms that indicate the forces that the Revolution set loose." The view which regards the progressive tendencies of the period before 1789 as living and working forces after Waterloo has something to be said for it. But we prefer to say that national unity as an ideal came not from the Revolution but from the War of Liberation. And as to "individual liberty constitution- ally defined," that has been secured in some countries, and no doubt kept as a liberal ideal in all ; but the aims of the Revolution were, after all, social even more than they were political, and some expression must be found which admits this. Neither Canning nor Consalvi is to be found in the index.
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