4 FEBRUARY 1882, Page 25

We have to acknowledge a second volume of Mr. Thomas

Archer's William Ewart Gladstone and His Contemporaries. (Blackie and Son.)—The volume contains the history of fourteen years (1840- 1854), the most important event of the period, as far as home politics are concerned, being the rise, progress, and final success of the Anti-Corn-law League. Mr. Archer continues to do his work in a vigorous and generally satisfactory way, though we do not find our- selves always in agreement with him. That, indeed, as his subject takes him over the whole range of recent politics, could hardly be expected. In the case of Sir James Brooke, we think that the un- doubtedly good work which that able and honest man did in Sarawak is not sufficiently recognised.