30 AUGUST 1930, Page 29

Miss Marjorie Johnston who, we are informed upon the cover

is only eighteen, has written a book of historical essays, and called it Domination (John Murray, 12s.). She deals with " some Napoleonic episodes," and deals often brilliantly, but sometimes so completely without judgment as to be absurd. Her studies of the generals are full of life and colour. We see them through the romantic eyes of a remarkably well-read child who somehow seems to get in a superficial way the spirit of the time, cleared of the masses of criticism which so often mutes the martial music and dulls the uniforms. With true feminine instinct she loves a soldier ; but put Talleyrand before her and the caricature is ridiculous.