Corinne, or Italy. By Madame de Stael. 2 vols. (J.
M. Dent and Co.)—Mr. George Saintsbury writes an introduction to this new edition (revised, we are told) of an old English version of Corinne. If Mr. Saintsbury was brought to bless Madame de Start and her work, he has disappointed expectations. " I have been reproached," he writes," for, to say the least, lacking fervour as a Staelite," and the reproach is not undeserved. This does not hinder the introduction from being good reading. Indeed, we see nothing to find fault with in Mr. Saintsbury's criticism of the lady's character and literary work. Of the story it is needless to speak. A reader who will have the courage to skip freely may find a good deal to repay him.—From the same publishers we have also received Ange Pitou, by Alexandre Dumas. 2 vols. This is a story of the French Revolution. One does not skip Dumas, but it would be useless to pretend that Ange Pitou is one of the great romance-writer's best works. A prefatory note, ex- plaining the historical circumstances of the story, is prefixed,and a not unnecessary "List of Characters," who number, it may be said in passing, one hundred and fifteen. All the Royal Family, Philippe-Egalite, Comte de Launay, Madame de Stael, M. Turgot, Cagliostro, Dr. Guillotin, Cam. Desmoulins, Marat, Mirabeau, Abbe Maury, Dr. Mesmer, are a few of this great company.
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