THE EMPRESS EUGENIE.
The Empress Eugenic. By Edward Legge. (Harper and Brothers. 7s. 6d. net.)—The sub-title of the book is this : " Her Majesty's life since the terrible year,' together with the statement of her case; the Emperor's own story of Sedan; an account of his exile and last days; and reminiscences of the Prince Imperial, from authentic sources." There are other things, among them estimates of the Emperor's personal character, abilities, and policy, some of them by no means complimentary. The general impres- sion, indeed, does not heighten one's opinion of the man. What- ever we may think of the means by which he gained his position, it is manifest that he was not equal to it. On the other hand, we find nothing about the Prince Imperial that does not raise our estimate of him. He always behaved with discretion and good taste, and " those who knew him best spoke of him as an absolutely pure-minded man." It is true that the severest test was never applied to him,—secundas yes acrioribus stimulis animos ezplorant felicitate corrumpimur. It was quite right that these things should be published ; they are within the domain of history. As to the rest, they might have been postponed without loss. But this is not the fashion of the time.
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