6 JUNE 1914, Page 27

A History of the National Capital. Vol. L By W.

B. Bryan. (Macmillan and Co. 21s. net.)—After the American Revolution had been carried to a successful issue by the genius of Washington, sectional jealousies made it impossible to select any city then existing as the seat of Congress and the residence of the President. Mr. Bryan has undertaken a detailed history of the new city of Washington, of which this first volume deals with the selection of the site on the banks of the Potomac in 1790, the laying out and building of the city, and its early history down to the British assault and the disgraceful burning of the Capitol in 1814. The work is mainly based on original records, and seems to be as con- scientious as it is lengthy.