On the field of Cedar Creek, Sheridan made grandizement; he is unselfish; he is loved him a brigadier-general. He was wounded and trusted by all who know him; he is a four times in battle, one hurt, from a shell model of the highest American manhood. which struck him below the knee, being severe. This honor he emphatically refused to accept: writing from the battle-field, on the proposition that he should go home to canvass, that " an officer, fit for duty, who, at this crisis, would abandon his post to electioneer for a seat in Congress, ought to be scalped." In the House, he was chairman of the Library THE WESTERN BARBARIANS.* AH-CHIN-LEE undertakes, in this vol ume, to enlighten Wo-Sung, Mandarin First Class, President of the Most Serene, the Grand Council, Colao, as to the social, moral, political, and commercial condition of the English people; and we will say at the outset that he makes out a very bad case against them. ples of which he has been chosen the repre- Committee, and, under his direction, the ac- First, he ridicules their religion, tracing its sentative, can find no efficient provocation for censure or opportunity for cavil in this vol ume. It is planned and written with good judgment and good taste. commodations of that institution were Smithsonian Library to that of Congress was larged threefold; the bill to transfer the passed in the House, as was the bill securing to the Library copies of all American publications. In 1866, he was returned to Congress without Republican competition. While in Congress, he gave much time and labor to the interests of the soldiers. en- history and developments with great learning, and showing how contrary to the English repointing out its inconsistencies, its schisms, ligious professions is their practice; how they exult in war, in the defeat of their peers among nations, and the subjugation and robbery of inferior people. By way of illustration, he traces their career in the China Seas; how they pretended to be moved only by a desire for trade, but seized the first opportunity to employ force, and to impose the opium author is far more tolerant. He says: traffic on the Chinese. Of the Americans the Governor Hayes is of old and good Connecticut and Vermont stock. He was born in Delaware, Ohio, July 4, 1822. He is now, therefore, fifty-four years old, and in the prime of life. Having finished his academic education at several good schools in Connecticut and the West, he entered Kenyon College, in In 1867, General Hayes was nominated for 1838. There he graduated in 1842, the vale-Governor of Ohio by the Republicans, receiving dictory oration being assigned to him in recog- the campaign that followed, he met the op286 votes to 208 cast for Mr. Galloway. In nition of his fine scholarship. The next two years he spent at the Harvard Law School, then under the direction of Judge Story; and, March 10, 1845, was admitted to practise in all the courts of Ohio. He began practice at Lower Sandusky, and four years later settled in Cincinnati, where he soon took rank among the leaders of the bar, and, by his conduct of the famous Nancy Farrer case, won a brilliant legal reputation. In December, 1852, he married Miss Lucy W. Webb. In 1859 he was elected city solicitor by the council, whose choice was confirmed by a popular majority of twenty-five hundred votes. In June, 1861, he was appointed major of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers, of which Rosecrans was colonel. He took part in the West Virginia campaign; won distinction at South Mountain. In October, 1862, he was made colonel of his regiment. At this point, his rich uncle, Sardis Birchard, who remembered him so munificently in his will, tried to persuade him to leave the army, saying that he had done enough; but Colonel Hayes was no such man. His next military achievement was the capture of John Morgan, the dreaded raider. Then followed the battles of Cloyd Mountain, Winchester, Berryville, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek; in all of which Colonel Hayes showed dauntless courage and high military skill. He seemed to have a peculiar power of inspiriting his men; where he led, and that was where there was fighting, his troops were sure to follow. The Life, Public Services, and Select Speeches of Rutherford B. Hayes. By J. Q. Howard. 1 vol. 16mo. pp. 260. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co. posing candidate, Judge Thurman, frequently his party leaders, that he would not touch on on the stump. Disregarding the request of the question of negro suffrage, he persistently demanded equality at the polls, and declared that a man who was willing to give his life for the country should have a voice in its government. He was chosen Governor; but on the main issue of the campaign he was defeated. In 1869, he was renominated and reëlected Governor of Ohio, running against George H. Pendleton, "Gentleman George," and beating him by 7,500 majority. Refusing the offer of the United States Senatorship, in 1871, for four years he lived a retired life. In 1875, the nomination for Governor was "In this way, about one hundred years ago, the Barbarians called American [Mel-i-kan] arose. Kingdom by a flag named 'Starry, because Their ships are known in our Central it. These people are ardent for trade, but of the stars [zen-ti] which are painted upon not so mad and reckless; and not aggressive in their intercourse with others. They are not so domineering and haughty, humbly submitting themselves in general to the Son of Heaven, making tribute, and seeking his illustrious protection to their trade and to their ships in our central waters." Next the author gives a sketch of the English government; accurate enough in matters of fact, but strongly tinged with Celestial prejudice. In review, he says: numbers by famine and disease. In Ireland "This stubborn and brutal barbarity, love urged upon him, as the only probably successful opponent of William Allen, who claimed lish, during the present dynasty, in numberof plunder and traffic, have involved the Engfor himself at least 80,000 majority. But the less wars beyond seas. They have internally Democratic sage and Stentor missed a figure, avoided great commotion, although the low and Hayes came out ahead by 5500 majority. castes have occasionally perished in surprising the Cincinnati Convention which nominated corded. The poor people of the northern In the concluding chapter, we find a report of the depopulation has exceeded any thing rewhich are too familiar even to be summarized him for the Presidency, the particulars of parts, also, driven away from their homes, here. The last pages of the volume contain reports of his messages and speeches, which are well worth reading. This is the life of a strong have nearly disappeared, unless in the armed bands sent over the sea. With these, the poor and despised Irish are in great numbers also; and, indeed, the strength and ferocity of the armed bands depend upon these, the most degraded and lowest caste of Barbarians. In this way, the most turbulent and ignorant have been drawn off, trained to use of arms, and used to spread and maintain the power of the English. Some Observations upon the Civilization of the Western Barbarians, particularly of the English; made during a residence of some years in those parts. By Ah-Chin-Lee, Mandarin of the First Class, and Member of the Enlight ened and Exalted Colao. Translated from the Chinese into English by John Yester Smythe, Esq. Boston: Lee & Shepard. "When the American Barbarians had a the advantage was always on the side of the domestic contention, -some of them wishing to deliver a poor people held in slavery by a custom in some of their provinces, from a cruel wrong, the English Barbarians sided with those who wished to keep the slaves. 66 The Provincial Militia is merely a nominal force, composed of butcher-boys, farmer-lads, and the like, who do not know how to handle a fire-arm, nor how to fight, unless in the Barbarian pastime of the Ring; a combat wherein the young Barbarians, two being pitted against each other, try to hit each other a terrible blow directly in the eye. This, done with the hand doubled up, nearly destroys that organ. He is victor who succeeds in hitting both eyes of his antagonist, and fairly blinding him. This, a common and admired sport, is greatly esteemed by the English Bar barians, and considered an admirable training. .. Even in the halls of learning it is thought to be a manly science, fitting the young aristocracy to match any man in personal conflict, and enabling him to be self-possessed and ready to fight his way through the world." latter. It is but fair to admit that he has has written a tragedy, called "Commodus," which is likely to attract notice. The story of the work is eminently tragical, and the author has tried hard to do justice to it. His thorough appreciation of its spirit is unquestionOf the judicial system of England, the au- able; but his treatment lacks art and delicacy. thor gives a terribly gloomy picture, having The drama is founded on historical facts origeven mastered the mysteries of Chancery. inally narrated by Herodian, and which have In the fee-bills of lawyers he noticed that engaged the pens of Gibbon, De Quincey, one would be charged for a thing done and and Crevier. The story is, in substance, as for the same thing not done, in other words, follows: Maternus, an escaped slave, moved for the doing and the not doing. Thus, if by hatred of his cruel persecutors, heads a one requests a thing to be done, the lawyer band of outlaws, and ravages the vicinity of will charge for 'receiving instructions,' for Rome. His repeated successes against the 'reducing the same to writing,' 'for instruct-imperial troops drew upon him the bitterest ing a clerk,' and the like; then, having sent hatred of Commodus, the dissolute reigning away the clerk on another matter, he will emperor. Surrounded by his enemies, and charge for taking new instructions and going seeing no way of escape, Maternus formed over the same ground again." the desperate scheme of taking Rome and claiming for himself the imperial seat. His plans prospered, and his army was gathered in Rome. One of his men made disclosures which brought about a discovery of the con"A learned woman, that is, one who has spiracy and the death of its leader. These acquired the sort of education recognized by the literati, is disliked by her own sex as well events Gen. Wallace has depicted in powerful, as by the men. The men will not marry her, rather than melodious, lines; interspersing unless she can buy a husband. This she may them with pictures of court life in those days be able to do, if she have money in abundance. of luxury and uncontrolled indulgence, and The things which may make them attractive with dramatic episodes, some of which will and entertaining to the men, and be likely to secure a desirable husband, are the only things vie in vigor with scenes in Macaulay's Lays. cared for. Some music, some drawing, a The strength of the author's diction is in velittle acquaintance with the language of the hement and objurgatory language; he hurls chief tribe on the main parts, reading and writing, are the intellectual studies. But the great, crushing words hither and thither, as engrossing pursuits are those which are sup- the Titans would fling trees, till the very earth The author's ideas about women will hardly win the approval of American woman-suffragists. He says: pas posed to add to female attractiveness. To resounds under the concussion. In softer ible; these are the real cares." CRISPINA [TO HER ATTENDANTS]. And let's be gone; or I may do or say MARCIA. "Crispina's bath! A house for washing her! [Laughing.] Twill never be, Tho' ceiling, floor, and every wall were laid CRISPINA. "Oh! a woman thou, No, beast! Thy tongue an udder is, which yields, MARCIA [SITTING UP]. "So! Crispina, I would be By rival mocked, displaced, and scorned: a queen To lay its claims 'gainst thine to Cæsar's self Without questioning the fidelity of this scene as a just report of the conversational manners of court ladies at the time, we find in it no evidence of dramatic genius, except a certain fluency, which is in a sense unfortunate, because it leads the author into an ex cess of coarseness. If Roman ladies must, in restricted within reasonable limits! - the empress and a lady of the court vigor in the harangues of Maternus to his the ear-tips, the fingers, the eyebrows, and exchange compliments of a tone which men; but it is rough, and lacks the finish lashes, to do these and innumerable other would hardly be tolerated in a New York which should give keenness to the chieftain's things by which the sex shall be made irresist- salon. Crispina, the empress, being present speech. Here is a good thought, well put in with attendants, Marcia, her rival and the his parting words: — We need not add, in view of the above king's mistress, enters. Her Majesty reevidence, that the author's impressions of ceives the intruder with vile ribaldry, whereEngland were unpleasant. He was plainly upon continually comparing its people, institutions, and customs with those of his own land; and * Commodus. An Historical Play. By Lew, Wallace. Paper, "Rugged men, are you, my chiefs, In scenes II. and III. we have a view of the plottings and intrigues of the courtiers, male and female, who fatten on the emperor's vices, forcible illustrations of the latter's superhuman cruelty and beastliness, and the gigantic plot of his prime-minister to step into his master's place. In scene IV. of the second act we find the author at his best in the description of the horrible. The ingenious Commodus gives a banquet to the ambassadors of all foreign nations, in order to decide a wager with Burbo, his favorite gladiator, as to the comparative courage of each nation; he having made provision for the poisoning of his guests, in order that he might scrutinize their conduct under the announcement that they had drank a deadly potion. The ambassadors drink and die; the German and the Briton having foretold vengeance. Maternus has a traitor in his camp, no less a personage than Marcus, his lieutenant, - and, in the moment of victory, betrayed by his trusted subordinate, he falls dead when striking at Commodus. - The material chosen by the author is intrinsically dramatic, as we have said; but he has failed to develop it to its due result. His plan lacks breadth and variety of incident; the action is compressed and meagre, while it should have expanded into a portrayal of Roman life and character, and evolved at least one virtue which must have had a representative among that degenerate people. It may be said that Fadilla, the emperor's sister, fills this requirement; but she does it very feebly. We may also say that not one of the personages displays the striking individuality which is essential to tragical effect. The hand which traced so deftly and graphically the Spanish conquest of Mexico, and brought out so ingeniously successive pictures of Aztec civilization and religion, is feebler in its new tice. shining verdure and the bald monotony of the and which might so profitably be exchanged The present volume bears date of 1859, and We should be glad to quote freely from this is, of course, behind the times in many par- standard work, which most happily combines ticulars. It treats of days when the bears the utile with the dulce, - careful information were unscared by the shriek of the locomo- as to routes and points of observation and tive, and the nimble trout flashed securely natural characteristics of different regions, from hiding-place to hiding-place, innocent of with feeling and poetical pictures of the varied the writhing worm and the coruscant fly of scenery. The Flora and Fauna of the White the tourist. To one to whom the hills and Mountains are not neglected, Prof. Tuckervalleys and shining streams of the Waumbek man having furnished a valuable paper thereon, are but as delights just darting away, the sta- in which he draws liberally from Mr. Emertistical matter supplied by Mr. King is not son's admirable "Trees and Shrubs of Massaonly not helpful, but is bewildering. We chusetts." read, for instance, that there is no publichouse of large size in Jefferson. Why, we left the noble Waumbek only two weeks ago, and still cherish the image of its intrinsic grandeur and comforts, and the unsurpassable magnifi- "Bethlehem is about as far from Mount cence of the scene which it confronts. But Washington as North Conway is, and lies on seventeen years have sped since Starr King the opposite side. The drives in the neighwrote, and even the unchanging mountains are not what they were. Writing of Bethlehem, Mr. King illustrates the grasping spirit which is said to have characterized the Boniface element of that town during the last season: borhood [he omits all mention of the gigantic and interminable hills] commanding, as they do, within short (?) distances, both the FranProbably no traveller ever subjected the conia and White Mountain Notches [the White Mountains to so thorough an inspection latter is more than twenty miles away], and as they had from the sharp eyes and compre-ried and delightful. The town lies, also, at the meadows of the Connecticut, are very vahensive intelligence of the lamented pastor; the favorable landscape distance from the hills. and his judgment, though referring to a time An enthusiastic villager used to speak to us long past, as to general features, at least, with great contempt of the Notches, in which must command implicit trust. His conclusive people used to burrow like moles; and remarked, I tell 'em, if they want to see the judgment, resulting from an exhaustive examscenywry, this is the place.' Whether his ination of his subject, was thus expressed: taste for natural beauty was affected by the fact that he kept a small public-house in Bethlehem is a question we will not raise." Jefferson, where the road from Gorham unites 66 and unwonted office. Battle-scenes and vivid STILL THE WHITE HILLS.* warm with the sympathy of recent residence in and study of the glorious regions described in these pages, we enter on their perusal with a peculiar zest. The sweet, strong, unequalled air seems once more to thrill our lungs, and the wide-spread feast of The White Hills: their Legends, Landscapes, and Poetry. By Thomas Starr King. With sixty illustrations, engraved by Andrew, from drawings by Wheelock. 8vo. Boston: W. F. Gill & Co. $3.00. ceding scenery is opened when the height of Before death called him, Mr. King nullified his recent statement, There is no large public-house in Jefferson." Standing on the huge mountain which now bears his name, he chose the site of the Waumbek House, and consecrated it to the loving uses of those who rejoice in the breath and the scenery of the mountains. Twice, really, he is contradicted by the fact; for he had said, "Yet, not a public-house in all the mountain region bears the name of Waumbek, which is so musical, It would be a pleasure to view specifically and carefully the many features of this unique book; but we must content ourselves with endeavoring to convey a general idea of its character by naming its several departments: The Four Valleys; the Androscoggin; the Saco; the Pemigewassett; the Connecticut; Exploration of the White Hills (by Prof. Tuckerman); Lake Winnipiseogee; the Pemigewasset Valley, and Franconia; the Saco Valley, and Chocorua; the Notch, and its Vicinity; the Vegetation of the White Mountains (Prof. Tuckerman); the Androscoggin Valley; the Glen; the Ascent of Mount Washington; the Connecticut Valley. The reader receives welcome help from sixty fine illustrations of so many of the loveliest landscapes in the Mountains. 'FEW SOME NOVELS.* 66 EW better novels have been lately printed than The Maid of Sker" and "Lorna Doone," and those who have read them will take up this latest product of the same hand with eager confidence. We fear they will meet disappointment; for the new novel is inferior to either of its predecessors named. It is well worth reading, however, and in some respects is quite up to the author's standard. It is a tale of life in a very rural English town; most of its personages are humble and rude; but the plot is unique, and the portraiture is very skilful. The hero-and the villain-is Luke Sharp, a lawyer, who devises a most startling plot to possess himself of a large estate, by abducting the daughter of Squire Ogland, with the intention of uniting her to his own son. So craftily did he lay his plans, and so propitiously did Fortune befriend him, that the missing girl was proved to be dead, and a slab erected over her remains. But some feeble forces were at work counter to the lawyer's schemes, of which the chief instrument was Zachary Cripps, one of the most original and perfectly drawn characters we ever saw in fiction. The development of the plot is gradual; but the reader's interest never flags, and the dénouement is at once highly tragical and poetically just. Other characters, strongly individual and happily drawn, are Christopher Sharp, Mr. Hardenow, and Etty. The flavor of local life is very strong in the book, and the special powers of the writer, already displayed in "Lorna Doone," have here strong manifestation. a hor ble, ephemeral sentiment that wearies the The interest of the story is unflagging from reader of ordinary novels. The men and the beginning, and the character-drawing women who are dominated by it are captives especially in the case of Brian—is masterly. of lordly spirit, to whom the chief element of A more gloomy, saddening story than love is honor. No mere abstract could give this we never read. Written with great a just idea of the plot, and we dismiss the power, and rich in information as to the coalbook with the remark that it is exceptionally mining interest of England, it is a picture of noble in tone, keen in analysis, vivid in its deeply shadowed life, illuminated by hardly sketches of character, and cultivated in style. one ray of humanity or happiness. The readThe translator has done her work with skill er's interest concentres on the principal and good taste. character, Israel Mort, who is the stoniest 3 The name of F. W. Robinson on the title of Sphinxes. Of the humblest origin, he rose page of a novel is a sufficient guarantee of its by dint of native intelligence and industry to excellence. We may safely say that no nov- be, at the age of forty-nine, part owner and elist of the time can claim such uniform merit supreme controller of the mine. He was all for his books, as distinguishes Mr. Robinson's. intellect; no heart seemed to beat in his boThe heroine of this novel is an American girl, som; his cruelty was relentless and self-sufliwho visits England to repay to Adam Halfday cient; he had no love, or even reverence, for twenty thousand pounds, of which sum he God. His life is a series of wrongs had been defrauded by her grandfather. Half-rible exemplification of selfishness. day is a member of the Brotherhood of the 5 This is one of the author's best stories, Noble Poor, and an inmate of the Hospital of a graphic picture of German high life; a vivid St. Lazarus. She brings a cordial letter of love-drama; a gallery of striking portraits, introduction from the son of the master of with a moral echo infinitely impressive. The the house, whom she had met in America, and contrast of Kitty, the heiress a pure, innois warmly received by the father and mother. cent, sincere young girl — and the vain, arroShe encounters Brian and Dorcas, son and gant, selfish Flora, her half-sister, is one of daughter of Adam, and finds them sternly the finest effects in fiction; and the characters opposed to the execution of her purpose of of Moritz, the councillor, and Bruck, the phymaking restitution. During her stay, Adam sician, are not less effectively opposed. The dies; and Brian informs her that the fraud history of the betrothal of Flora and Bruck for which her grandfather, Westbrook, had is a tragical drama in itself, forcibly illustratbeen blamed, was really the work of Adam ing the woman's perfidy and the steadfast himself. Angelo Salmon, son of the master justice of the man. Kitty is a lovely characof St. Lazarus, falls desperately in love with ter, who passes through many tribulations to the beautiful American; and, as she is known her due reward of wedded happiness. to be rich, the attachment is encouraged by The general atmosphere of this story is 2 This is one of the best German novels we his parents. Meantime she is learning to very sad; but patches of sunshine relieve its have recently read. Unlike too much of the know Brian very intimately, and to be aware gloom. The heroine is an original and powfiction of that nation, it does not give the first that he, too, loves her. News comes of the erful creation. Left an orphan, she is taken place to mere sentiment, but enters deeply into failure of a Boston bank, and the loss of all her into the family of her uncle to be a drudge The Salmons except Angelo and butt. She discovers a terrible family sea story of the human heart, and an exposition property. of its passions. Its dramatis persona have a grow cool, and she leaves their house, obsticret, the existence of a deformed and loathremarkably high and uniform excellence; not nately refusing the offer of the son's hand. some son, and wards off expulsion from one of them is superfluous, and we have not He is overwhelmed by his disappointment, the house only by undertaking to care for been able to decide whether the men or the and seems likely to lose his mind. His pa- him. Her influence over the hapless youth, women are most artistically and vigorously rents summon Miss Westbrook, and persuade and his improvement under her nursing, are drawn. All are members of high German so- her to enter into an engagement with him, as described with singular impressiveness; and ciety, and their intercourse is on a plane of the only means of saving his life and reason. her happy release from servitude in marriage exquisite refinement. The novel abounds in To them at Scarborough arrives Brian, who with the man she loves forms a fitting and exciting incident, the plot is bold and wrought presently offers himself to Mabel, and is ac- welcome termination to her career of sufferout with masterly audacity. Love, of course, cepted. The conduct of Dorcas's husband, ing. The character of Mrs. Adair is a masis to the fore; but it is not the feeble, muta- who flirts with a brilliant widow under a false terpiece of cold-heartedness and cruelty. name, demands his interference; and the slighted lover, Angelo, and the detected husband join in a scheme of revenge. They decoy Brian on board a vessel; Angelo assaults and wounds him; and, while he is ill, Colonel Sewell, Dorcas's husband, poisons him. Mabel joins her lover as death approaches, and he makes his will; but it turns out that Sewell's vial did not contain poison at all. There is great rejoicing, and Mabel and Brian are soon married. The subordinate characters are intensely interesting: especially William Halfday, Brother Scone, and Dorcas. * 1 Cripps the Carrier. A Woodland Tale. By R. D. Blackmore. Paper. Harper & Brothers. 2 Fire and Flame. From the German of Lewis Schücking. Translated by Eva M. Johnson. Paper. D. Appleton & Co. As Long as She Lived. A Novel. By F. W. Robinson. Paper. 75c. Harper & Brothers. Israel Mort, Overman. A Story of the Mine. By John Saunders. Paper. 75c. Harper & Brothers; Lockwood, Brooks, & Co. 5 At the Councillors; or, a Nameless History. By E. Marlitt. Translated from the German by Mrs A. L. Wister. J. B. Lippincott & Co.; Nichols & Hall. Rose Turquand. By Ellice Hopkins. Harper & Brothers. THE NORMAN CONQUEST.* THE concluding volume of this noble history contains a concise but sufficient statement of the results of the researches pursued in its four predecessors. As the disquisition The History of the Norman Conquest of England, its Causes and Results. By Edward A. Freeman, M. A., Hon. D.C.L. and LL D. Vol. V. The Effects of the Norman Conquest Revised American Edition. 8vo. pp. 604. $4.00. New York: Macmillan & Co. is always less fascinating than the narrative, so is this philosophical review of aggregate events less entertaining than the story of the events themselves. But in point of historic value, this final volume may stand as a summary of the author's 'previous labors, a brief epitome of the annals of centuries. Readers of the earlier volumes will need no special summons to the perusal of this; the charm of the processes which they describe necessitates an acquaintance with the results. tale runs that Rufus rode to the shore with all 66 lectual power, unguided and unqualified by his only son, and hopeless of issue by his 66 Properly enough, the author reveals the sources of his information, and gives an admirable account of the two great springs of knowledge, the Chronicles and the Domesday. The historical value of the latter, he truly says, cannot be overestimated; it pictures to us the condition of England at the great turning-point in its history, the Norman Conquest. "For the present," says the author, "we shall look at Domesday as the record of the immediate result of William's Conquest, the record of the settlement of himself and his fol- This book is singularly free from errors; but lowers in the land, and of the confiscation and we must note one, which may be corrected in grant of all the temporal lands of England to later editions: In any case Malcolm went grantees, mainly to foreign grantees, of the away angry, and at once took his revenge King." One feature of the Domesday is was by a fifth invasion of England." (p. 79.) worthy of special notice; it is the absence A graphic and interesting account is given of from it of any reference to the military the revolutionary movements in Wales and events of the Conquest: "It simply puts Scotland. The future history of the latter out of sight the fact that Harold reigned, was fixed by the accession of Edgar to the or that any opposition of any kind was throne, in 1097. He was the son of Malcolm made to the accession of William." The and Margaret, and under his rule Scotland process of transforming Englishmen into Nor- became an English kingdom. Of William mans, and Normans into Englishmen, was Rufus, Mr. Freeman cherishes no exalted mainly the work under the Conqueror's direc- opinion; he counts him the deadly enemy of tion of representatives of those nations them-religion, and says that England never had a selves."No time, indeed, is so bitter for the moment, as the time when wrong puts on the garb of right, when the forms of law and justice are changed into instruments of oppression. . . . To the legal tyranny of William in one age, to the legal tyranny of Henry in another, we owe, that the unbroken life of English law and English freedom has never been wholly snapped asunder." 66 The bulk of this volume is filled by the history of the Norman kings, - William Rufus, Henry I., Stephen, and the Angevin reigns. The characters of these monarchs are developed in coincidence with the progress of the English people, their lives being in effect a record of the national life. "Strange to say," remarks the author, the Norman Conquest has in its results been the best preserver of the older life of England." This conquest has helped it to keep up a political being far more unbroken than those of Germany, France, or the Scandinavian kingdoms. In this connection, an interesting comparison of the reigns of William the Conqueror, and Theodoric, of Italy, is introduced. Next follows a sketch of the reign of William Rufus, which extended from 1087 to 1100. The characteristics of this strange man are drawn with remarkable vividness, and his career illustrates the force of pure intel king in whom evil had so distinctly stood forth "The power of the king was largely increased; his position and the character of his government were largely changed; but the change was far more in practice than through feudal direction, which had been at work before any formal enactment. The tendencies in a the Conquest, were strengthened and hastened by the Conquest. But they were moulded by the hands of men who took care that feudal tendencies should be encouraged so far as they could be turned to the strengthening and enriching of the Crown, that they should be discouraged whenever they could lead to its weakening. After the coming of William, a king of the English remained all that he was before, and he became something else as well. He kept all his old powers, and he gained some new ones; he kept all his old revenues, and In 1100, Henry, youngest son of the Con- he gained some new ones. He became univerqueror, succeeded to the throne, under prom- sal landlord, but in so doing he did not cease to be universal ruler. At once king and lord, ising auspices. The author eulogizes him he had two strings to his bow at every critical warmly, though pronouncing him "cold, moment; if one character failed him, he had crafty, politic." "The change from Rufus to the other to fall back upon. He could comHenry was the change from the fierce im-mand the subject's obedience by a two-fold right; he could call them to his standard by a pulses of a personal and capricious will, to two-fold right, and by a two-fold right he the despotism of a single man, but a despotism could cause their money to flow into that exworking according to acknowledged laws." chequer, which was at once the fiscus of the In 1110, Henry had betrothed his daughter, feudal landlord, and the ærarium of the chief Matilda, to the Emperor of Germany. It was the first time that a woman of English birth In Mr. Freeman's opinion, had the Norman had been the bride of Cæsar; for Eadgyth and Conquest never happened, England would Gunhild, in former times, had died before their have held a position in Europe not unlike that husbands reached the imperial dignity. "But, of Scandinavia. The history of ecclesiastical as in all these cases, no English queen or events to which England was a party is a empress was fated to be the mother of an model of perspicuous narrative. "The right emperor." Queen Victoria ought to have been of investiture was the great point of strife reminded of this solemn fact. Having lost | between the Papacy and the Empire; but not of the Commonwealth." |