Masters of the Situation, by W. J. Tilley (T. Nelson
and Sons), is a series of essays by an American clergyman on the mental qualities which help to ensure social success, each as individuality, enthusiasm, manners, and the like. In those early attempts at essays, which were called "themes," it was held, we remember, correct to intro- duce one " example " before the concluding "application." But these essays seem to be all example ; in the first one, on "Prompt- ness," we have been curious enough to count more than sixty illustrative personages, and among them, quite unabashed, those two who were specially boycotted by our cruel schoolmasters,—Hannibal and Napoleon. Indeed, of this latter Mr. Tilley is fain to say that "it has doubtless been noted by the observant reader that reference has repeatedly been made in these pages to" him, and after a high-flown eulogy of him, he goes on to add what seems to us, even remembering his conversation at St. Helena, a very strange testimonial to character : —" Not the least among other things for which he should be honoured is his noble and striking testimony to the divinity of Christ; and, as Dr. Schaff justly observes, the logical conclusion of this master-mind may well be set over against the illogical denial of Christ's divinity by inferior minds."
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