The book is a tragedy, but it seems to be written too intensely. The characters are almost unnatural at times because of this. The psychological de

Susan's matrimonial plans and her sage philosophies entertain us almost as much as they must have entertained Mrs. Lathrop, only we cannot put in, even here and there, the suggestive word.

Four of the five chapters in the volume. appeared in the "Century" as separate. stories. They are now collected, with an additional fifth and woven into a study of life which is most delectable for its simplicity and for the quaint character creation. It is as interesting, in its way, as "Mrs. Wiggs," though the group of personages is entirely different in character. These homely tales find always a place in the heart. There are many Susan Cleggs

ANNE WARNER

and Mrs. Lathrops in the world, though we doubt if many of them could rival Susan in the line of proposal.

T

HE great historical work planned by the late Lord Acton is slowly taking shape in the volumes which appear at intervals, and of which Volume VIII, treating of the French Revolution, is the latest to be given to the public. The name of Lord Acton is a sufficient guarantee of the scholarly character of a work, even though the actual writing is none of his. In his famous lecture on the study of history, Lord Acton set forth his views so clearly that there can be no mistake as to what he thought should be the proper object and method of the historian. He pleaded for the critical method, and wished that we had more historians who applied criticism to the materials of history, as distinguished from the students who were chiefly employed in editing the sources of history. In the present work Lord Acton's teaching is abundantly in evidence

Though following a clearly outlined plan, the several parts show some differences in treatment and style. This, of course, is inevitable where the various chapters are entrusted to half a score or more writers. The controlling purpose of the work would seem to be to trace the causes and narrate the events of the French Revolution, with a view to giving the reader an opportunity of seeing for himself just how this vast upheaval in the modern world occurred, and to observe its career from every standpoint.

The editors, in their preface, succinctly explain the scope and object of the book. They state,

The present volume traces the intellectual genesis of the revolutionary movement among the audacious thinkers and the philanthropic listeners of the eighteenth century. It shows how the institutions and the administration of France were unfitted to resist a violent shock, while her vacillating rulers hesitated to use such resources as the constitution placed in their hands. Benevolent enthusiasm, peaceful agitation, irresolute control, are succeeded by anarchy and terrorism; society seems to be resolved into its elements, and the fortunes of

*THE CAMBRIDGE MODERN HISTORY. Planned by the late Lord Acton. Vol VIII. The French Revolution. Edited by G. W. Prothero, Stanley

Leathes and others.

the nation to depend on the caprice and idiosyncrasies of a few chance selected men. The impulse spreads beyond the frontiers. Europe gathers her forces to resist the destructive flood. France reacts to hostile pressure; institutions are extemporised in the midst of foreign and civil war; the organic unity of the French nation reasserts itself; order succeeds to anarchy, fixed aims to vague aspirations; and wars of conquest follow wars of self-preservation. Separately is described the attempt of legislators to break loose from the bonds of custom, convention and tradition, and to build up a new scheme of human relations from a purely rational basis. Finally, the effect of these destructive and reconstructive ideas is traced in action and reaction through the chief countries of Europe; and the foundations of our modern political and social scheme become visible.

An idea of the character of the work may be gleaned from this summary. The best in contemporary scholarship will be found in the volume, in the careful, thorough and competent workmanship of its authors. They have sought to clear up the obscure phases of the subject, and have generally used their material with sound judgment. Every aid to an intelligent knowledge of this intensely interesting period in modern history is brought into use. A valuable bibliography is appended, also a useful table of chronology.

One misses, however, the effect produced by the unifying power of a single mind brooding over the events of a great epoch in the world's history. This no scholarship can give when a subject is divided among many contributors. There may be safety in a multitude of counsellors, but one is not always sure of literary excellence in a score of collaborators. Gibbon's masterpiece would not be to us what it unquestionably is, the greatest single work of historical writing in the English language, had its author contented himself with directing the labors of a number of trained specialists. On the other hand, a book like the one before us does much to correct for the general reader the effect produced by Carlyle's lurid pages, which sometimes seem more like hysteria than history.

ALBERT S. HENRY.

on the Top Floor." There are some very pleasant little people in the book, who manage to have a good time, even when money is not plentiful and luxuries are not to be had. Miss Rhoades is an optimist, and her optimism is full of contagious force.

The small children will be pleased with "Babes in Toyland." What interesting children and what beautiful pictures, all brightly colored! There are plenty of adventures, children's adventures, and lots of them are pleasant experiences. Toy

*THE CHILDREN ON THE TOP-FLOOR. By Nina Rhoades. Illustrated. Lee & Shepard.

BABES IN TOYLAND. By Glen McDonough and Anna Alice Chapin.

land is a charming place, all the little ones will be anxious to go there.

A new volume of fairy-tales that ought to find many readers is "The New World Fairy Book."* These are Indian fairytales, Indian lore in which which marvellous things happen and marvellous creatures appear. Giants and magic figure, and the boy and girl who loves to dwell in the great world of the imagination will find these stories much to their taste. The illustrations are numerous and the volume is prettily bound, making a choice Christmas book.

*THE NEW WORLD FAIRY BOOK. By Howard Angus Kennedy. Illustrated by H. R. Millar. E. P. Dutton & Co.