France To-day. By Laurence Jerrold. (J. Murray. 7s. fkl.net .)
— To English readers who want to understand our French Allies, so far as an understanding cal be gained from books, we would com- mend Mr. Jerrold'. most interesting volume. As the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph in Paris for many years, Mr. Jerrold has had exceptional opportunities of studying French life and institu- tions. His chapters on the solid middle class of the towns, and the peasantry—the twin pillars of the Third Republic—are most illu. minating, and, though somewhat dogmatic in tone, are, we believe, essentially accurate. In his chapter on " Tho French Spirit " he says " The French have the most common-sense of all peoples, and I would back theirs any day against the English." To many English people that will seem a paradox, so little do we know of France, and yet it is true enough. Mr.Jerrold's chapter., on politico, on the Army, on the early days of the war, and on the Church are excellent, and his closing chapters on modern French prose and poetry are also well worth reading.
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