We regret to notice the death of Mr. J. L.
Motley, for some time United States Minister here,—a post in which he was not entirely successful, owing to a certain irritability of intellectual temperament, due to over-study and over-work, and perhaps, as many observers fancied, to a strong distaste for English political opinions. He was, however, better known to the public as the author of the " Rise of the Dutch Republic," a book of great merit, full of-research, and full also of the dramatic force so wanting to most American historians, which gained him high respect and hosts of personal friends, both in England and in the Nether- lands. It is by far the best book in English upon that great struggle, and will probably not be superseded. Its sequel—the " History of the United Netherlands"—is not equal to the first part, Mr. Motley's style having deteriorated ; but is worthy attention if only for the force with which the unfavourable side of Eliza- beth's character and policy is stated. Personally, Mr. Motley was a most favourable specimen of a remarkable class—the cosmopolitan Americans—a man of thorough culture, very un- usual knowledge, and considerable insight into the political situation of Europe, and at heart a most genuine and patriotic American, nevertheless.
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