A Compendium of Italian History. Translated from the Italian of
Giovanni Bosco, and completed to the present time by J. D. Morell, LL.D. (Longmans.)—It is not easy to see why Dr. Morell has taken the trouble to translate this very indifferent book. It has not the merit of accuracy, and it is quite wanting in the historical spirit. In point of style, it is feeble and childish. The writer was, it seems, strongly pro-Papal. His translator has removed some of his expressions, but does not seem to have perceived bow the whole view of Italian history has been biassed by the author's preposses- sions. The Popes have done good service to Europe, but it is in Italy least of all that we should look for the beneficial side of their influ- ence. Dr. Morell could, we are quite sure, have written, with very little more trouble, a much better book himself.
Previous page
