6 NOVEMBER 1875, Page 22

The Campaigns of Napoleon : Waterloo. By Edward E. Bowen,

M.A. (Rivingtons.)—This is the last volume of an excellent series. The battles of Ligny and Quatro Bras are included under the head of "Waterloo." We have, in fact, a narrative of Napoleon's last struggle for his throne. Mr. Bowen gives us, as before, the text of M. Tillers' "History of the Consulate and the Empire," somewhat shortened, but not otherwise altered; and, as before, accompanies it with Borne notes which are the result of a careful study of the numerous authorities on the subject,—authorities, it may be remarked in passing, which conflict in a way that seriously embarrasses the historian. It is no ground of complaint against a book that we do not find what was not contem- plated in its plan. Still we may remark ul passing, that the French of M. Thiera is difficult, and that we should have been glad now and then to find military and historical criticism interspersed with critical notices of style. But the book and the series of which it forms part deserve the highest praise. It is, in the first place, a good specimen of the very high class of text-books which are now being prepared for the use of our upper forms. And it has also an attraction which all readers of history will appreciate. The brilliant narrative of M. Thiers, as corrected by a competent annotator, leaves nothing to be desired.