It is pleasant to record the appearance of the third
and fourth volumes of Mr. John S. C. Bridge's masterly History of France from the Death of Louis XI (Clarendon Press, 16s. each). These volumes cover the reign of Louis XII (1498- 1514), and thus include the fascinating and yet horrible Italian wars in which France and Spain strove for Milan and Naples, with the Pope and Venice, the Emperor and the Swiss, taking first one side and then the other, while Henry VII bargained and his son at last intervened, not without success. With the Renaissance at its height Italy was a prey to the foreigners. Mr. Bridge has a complete command of his subject ; his narrative is always clear, his comment judicious. He is as well versed in the tortuous diplomacy of Ferdinand of Aragon as in the military details of such astonishing battles as that of Ravenna.
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