THE FRANCE OF JOAN OF ARC.
The France of Joan of Arc. By Lieut.-Colonel Andrew C. P. Haggard. (Stanley Paul and Co. 168. net.)—The title selected is conveniently elastic; all French history might be taken as relevant to the subject of "the France of Joan of Arc." But there are really limits. The conquests of Henry V. certainly concern the subject. But we do not want a description of the capture of Harfleur and the battle of Agincourt. It would be relevant indeed, to show how the disorder of the French army contributed to its defeat, but the severe condemnation which is passed on Henry's order to slaughter the prisoners is not ad rem. Our author is, indeed, very hard on the Fifth Henry. All his religion, for instance, is denounced as pretence. 'When our author gets to Joan herself he pleases us better. She does not, it is true, really appear till we reach page 249, and have traversed at least two- thirds of the book, but this is made into an effective picture. Of one thing we would remind Colonel Haggard. The present-day historian is expected to give some idea, of his authorities. Here we have neither bibliography nor references.
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