In the "Nineteenth Century Series" (W. and R. Chambers, 5s.
net) we have Naval Battles in the Century, by Rear-Admiral Francis J. Higginson, U.S.N. The " century " is the nineteenth ; consequently the epoch-making battle of Tsushima does not come within the writer's scope. His first narrative is of the battle of Copenhagen; two chapters are given to Trafalgar. The other naval fights of the Napoleonic War are not of the first consequence. Nor was the battle of Lake Erie ; it is interesting, however, as having been fought between English-speaking combatants. Navarino was not much of a battle, but it was the last engage- ment between fleets on the old conditions. Indeed, there was a long truce, so to speak, not broken till we reach Lissa. Then there is another long gap, reaching to the battle of the Yalu River. This part of the book concludes with a description of the naval operations in the Spanish-American War. Part II. is given to "Single-Ship Actions," and III. to "Engagements with Batteries and Forts." This is a useful volume.
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