Some French and Spanish Men of Genius. Sketches by Joseph
Forster. (Ellis and Elvey.)—Mr. Forster gives an account of twelve Frenchmen, beginning with Marivaux, a comedian who flourished in the first half of the eighteenth century, down to M. Zola. They are pleasantly written, and sometimes show a good deal of spirit. We cannot always agree with the author's views. It is scarcely true that Voltaire "never attacked true religion." He had, it is true, a genuine hatred of oppression, and did good service in a war against a tyranny which often claimed religious sanction ; but it would be only too easy to give a number of insults to both faith and morals in his works. One of the best of the essays is that which compares Eugbne Sue and H. Zola. Three Spanish authors are treated of,—Lope de Vega, Cervantes, and Calderon.
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