MEN AND WOMEN OF' THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.
Men and Women of the French Revolution. By Philip Gibbs. Illustrated with 28 Plates Reproduced from Contemporary Prints. (Kegan Paul and Co. 25s. net.)—One would have thought, as the author of this book suggests, that there was not much more to say about Mirabeau, Denton, Robespierre, Desmoulins, Madame Roland, and the rest. And Mr. Gibbs has hardly, perhaps, brought to light any new facts, or placed himself and his readers at any new points of view. And yet the great Revolution is a subject of interest that never fails, and Mr. Gibbs certainly dis- arms criticism by his enthusiasm, not to mention his modesty. He has evidently enjoyed so heartily the writing of the book that we have no doubt he is right in expecting the public to enjoy reading it. Its style is popular, vivid, and realistic. Mr. Gibbs has a command of strong epithets, and knows how to describe what his imagination presents to him. He does not mince matters. He describes Louis XV. as a " festering and mal- odorous mass of vice." Very true, probably; but we would just warn Mr. Gibbs that out of such extremes of abuse, deserved or not, whitewashers and apologists are born ; and so the wheel of history rolls upon its way. The illustrations from contemporary prints are excellent and very interesting, and the book is remarkably well printed and got up.
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