Wolfe and Mont calm. By the Abbe H. R. Casgrain.
(T. C. and E. C. Jack. 21s. net.)—The Abbe Casgraiu wrote the story of the conquest of Canada—he might have been rather inclined to say the loss of Canada—with a certain French-Canadian animus. That event, whatever it may be called, was largely due to the incompetency of Vaudreuil, Montcalm's superior. But Vaudreuil was Canadian born, and the Abbe, "like all French-Canadian writers," as the editors put it, was "loyal to the province." Then he is unwilling to give Wolfe the credit of the victory won on tho Heights of Abraham. He attributes it to good fortune. The Romans thought that felicitas was one of the most desirable qualities that a general could have. To them it meant the result of a number of inappreciable activities in the "lucky" man. Anyhow, the editors do not share the Abbe's belief—he did not live to revise his work—and give good reasons for thinking that the English general planned the movement which gave him Quebec with a full foreknowledge. Whether his successor in the command did not profit by the pusillanimity of the man whom the death of Montcalm left in power is another matter. The Abbe thinks that he did. The book, as a whole, though it may need correction here and there, is worthy of the excellent series to which it belongs.
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