NAPOLEON'S BROTHERS.
Napoleon's Brothers. By A. Hilliard Atteridge. (Methuen and Co. 18s. net.)—Mr. Atteridge has done well, wo think, in weaving together the stories of the four brothers. A certain complication is the inevitable result, but the method represents the unquestion- able fact that the four careers made a whole. The brothers were the satellites of a great planet, and though severally of but little importance, very seriously disturbed the regularity of its move- ment. Perhaps this was all for the best. Napoleon, for whom some otherwise reasonable people have a strange liking—we are reminded of Lord Thurlow's saying of Satan in the " Paradise Lost " ; " By 0—, I hope he will win ! "—would have been far more formidable if he had not been hampered by the passion for founding a family of Kings. Who can reckon up what he lost by the time, money, and toil spent on the sham kingdoms of Holland, Spain, and Westphalia ? Even the one brother whom he did not attempt to regalise, Lucien, gave him some trouble. Lucien was certainly the "best of the bunch." He had something better in him than the futile ambitions of the others ; something that at least looks like a genuine interest in literature and art. On the other hand, it may safely be affirmed that Jerome was the worst. All, excepting Lucien, who knew how to stand firm on occasion, had something of the want of scruple which was seen at its maximum in their great brother. Mr. Atteridge, to whose laborious work wo would gladly accord more space were it possible, exhibits an industry which is worthy of all praise, and has contrived to deal in a satisfactory way with a very difficult subject.
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