Illyrian Letters. By Arthur J. Evans, B.A. (Longmans.)—Mr. Evans visited,
as correspondent for the Manchester Guardian, Bosnia, the Herzegovina, Montenegro, and the neighbouring provinces, and publishes hero a selection from his letters. He wont through "Free Bosnia," by which term is meant that part of Bosnia which is domi- nated by the insurgent forces, and shared the hospitality of the leaders of tho revolt. He contrived also, by an exorcise of that courage which makes newspaper correspondents the paladins of modern warfare, to visit the head-quarters of the hostile party, and to hear from the very lips of the Moslem Boys their view of the situation. Ho was present also at Cottinge when the news of the capture of Niksic was telegraphed by Prince Nikita to his wife, in a quatrain of very spirited verse, and witnessed the wild, barbaric rejoicings with which the people celebrated the occasion. A few days afterwards he visited the captured town. The testimony which ho gives to the moderation and self-restraint of the Montenegrins, and to the friendly feelings which existed between thom and the Moslems (who, however, would not accept the permission to remain in the town) is very emphatic. Equally emphatic is his witness about Mr. Consul Holmes and his reports. It seems that, how- ever well-disposed to discover and report tho truth ho might be, he has not the necessary qualifications for doing so ; and that, as a matter of fact, ho is very much prejudiced. A clique of Osmanlis surrounds him, and he is easily persuaded to believe what accords with his views and wishes. What else can wo say, when wo find him denying in October, 1870, that any impale ments had taken place, while he had actually lying by him a despatch from his own Vice-Consul, Mr. Free- man, giving particulars of the impalement of a man at Novi ? Surely .Knighthood was never more disgraced by any caprices, fantasies, or cor- ruptions in tho great pet sonages who bestow it as it was when it was granted to this official. The only practical remedy, Mr. Evans thinks, for the sufferings of Bosnia is to be found in an Austrian occupation. The people who would not like it were those who would be the most benefited, but it is the only possible resource. We can recommend this as a most interesting volume.
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