L'Empire Liberal. Par Emile 011ivier. Tome III. (Gamier, Paris.)—To read
a volume of M. Emile 011ivier's L'Empire Went/ is like putting the clock back thirty years, and this third volume is no less antiquated than its predecessors. The Liberal Empire! It is farther off than the Middle Ages, and though it would be rash to prophesy a long life for the Third Republic, the reign of Napoleon III. is already a distant episode in the history of France. M. 011ivier's loyalty to his idol is well known, and an unprejudiced critic is not likely to endorse the historian's opinions. None the less, the work has a documentary value which no partisanship can underrate, and this volume, which tells the story of the Crimea, and sets forth the Emperor's long negotiations with Cavour, is as interesting as its pre- decessors. There ie also a chapter upon Louis Napoleon's domestic policy, but surely when M. 011ivier quotes Thiers's approval of this policy he is, from his own point of view, catching at straws. However, of hi 011ivier's fidelity there is no doubt; not even did Sedan shake his faith in the Liberal Empire ; and he is one of the few politicians who were not persuaded by defeat to turn and rend their hero. Even more, he suffered hardship for his loyalty, and unto this day the discourse which he composed for his reception by the Academy remains unread, It was a panegyric of Lamartine, but in one passage he sang the praises of his fallen master. This passage the Academy declined to hear, and he declined to expunge. So. maybe, sacrifice has given him the right to deplore the past ; at any rate there is no lack of evidence on the other side whereby we may correct this sanguine record.
Previous page
