CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Historical Monuments of France. By James F. Runnewelf. (James R. Osgood, Boston ; Trlibuer and Co., London.)—This work, which, as touching print, paper, binding, and illustrations, leaves nothing to be desired, is evidently intended rather for American than
for English readers, although it may be useful: to the latter. The author's minute instructions concerning the crossing of the Channel, the difference between first and second class carriages, the quality of French hotels, and the speed of trains on French railways, are amusing, although, as they may be found in any common guide-book, somewhat out of place in an introduction to the historical monuments of France. Hunnewell has doubtless visited most, if not all the mistier, abbeys, and churches he describes ; but his book is none the less a compilation, and rather a traveller's rade mecum than a work of original research. Literary charm it has none : the style is generally as bald, as abrupt, and as unadorned as that of a child's primer or an auctioneer's catalogue ; and its woodenness is increased by a careful avoidance of the word " which," whereof Mr. Hunnewell seems to have taken a vow never in any circumstances to make use. Here is a speci- men of his descriptions :—" The town of Loches is quaint and quiet. It is now surrounded by a pleasant rural country, that is flat or varied by low hills. There are a few quaint medizeval gates, several ancient houses, and some old-world narrow streets, above all which rise the long grey walls, the towers, and roofs of Louis XI.'s castle. It occupies a large and rocky but low hill. A rather steep and narrow winding street leads to the gate, placed in an archway flanked by towers." The author speaks of Mary Stuart as a "bewitching woman, whose affairs have made so much discussion, and whose days were spent in such a wide variety of castles." Sometimes, by way of change, he breaks into a paroxysm of fine writing, and pens such passages as these :—" In this secluded corner of a town, remote and now decayed, is a creation of the dark ages, with a radiant beauty not yet rivalled by anything that wide and wise and rich America has built. No feeble men designed and made the mighty walls of Carcasonne, and neither ignorance nor thought drawn forth by force imagined and made rich in art its church. A ray of light had touched a mind God had endowed, and that from things material formed for Him this graceful and resplendent offering The frightful siege and massacre of twenty thousand men and women, it is said, at Healers occurred." Yet, despite these eccentricities of style, the work is by no means badly done ; it supplies a want, and the study of it can hardly fail to add to the interest of travel in France, the chief of whose historic monuments are fully, if rather queerly, described. The illustrations are numerous and excellent ; and the value of the book for purposes of reference is enhanced by an index at once accurate and minute.
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