The Rise and Fall of the Emperor Maximilian. By Count
Emile de Keratry. (Sampson, Low, and .Marston.)—This is a political history of the Mexican Empire, written from the point of view of the Opposi- tion in the French Chamber. The writer sees perpetual vacillation and ill faith in the conduct of Napoleon and his advisers ; he is equally decided in praising the conduct of the French Generals and the troops. Indeed, the most significant feature of the book is the deep discontent which it seems to indicate as existing in the Army, a discontent of which we may yet see the results. Maximilian himself is judged severely, yet not ungenerously. The value of the special criticisms which are passed on his policy it is impossible to estimate. If he alienated the clerical faction—his natural supporters—he did it in the attempt to conciliate parties. It seems tolerably clear that ho could not have combined adherence to it with another course which is here suggested, the -declaring himself the champion of the Indian race. The abandonment of the city of Mexico was probably a grave military error, but could hardly have affected the final result of the war. Among the interesting -documents which are given in the volume is one very curious letter from a Belgian adviser of Maximilian, written after the battle of Sadowa. -describing the alienation of Austria from the Emperor, and hinting that there might be hopes for another member of the House. It will be remembered that there have been hints given before of something of the kind having been talked of.
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