19 APRIL 1873, Page 24

Venice and the Venetians. By John B. Marsh. (Strahan.)—This is

a readable volume, made up of veritable history and of romance. We have the story of the Fourth Crusade, a transaction in which the Republic certainly showed herself more than commonly unscrupulous ; then the narrative of Marco Polo ; the story of Pisani, the "Venetian Sea-King ;" and the romantic tale of Sforza and the daughter of the Duke of Milan. The chapters which relate the fortunes of Angelo

Berovien and his family are, we presume, founded on fact, while they- aro filled up with the customary "padding" of the novel-writer. The- same may be said of the chapters on Titian. The book has been put together with industry and care, and, though the style is somewhat slovenly, is worth reading.