Memoirs of the Duke de gaint-Simon. An Abridged Translation with
Notes by Francis Arkwright. Vols. V. and VI. (Stanley Paul. 12s. 6d. net each.)—Mr. Arkwright may be congratulated on the completion of his scholarly abridgment of Saint-Simons Memoirs. The best French edition fills twenty-one volumes, so that Mr. Ark- wright probably gives about a third of the original. But even a 'Macaulay in these busy days would nob attempt to read Saint- Simon through, whereas Mr. Arkwright's version, which gives all the most notable episodes in the garrulous Duke's reminiscences of the Court of Louis XIV. and the Regent OrlAans, will find a great many readers. These closing volumes, which cover the years from 1714 to 1723, are of exceptional interest. Saint-Simon's account of the death of -Louis XI V. and his estimate of the Grand Monargue are classic. We may recall, for instance, his prediction that the lavish expenditure in which the King encouraged his nobles to indulge would "end in nothing short of ruin and a general over- throw."
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