The Byzantine Empire. By Edward A, Foord. (A. and C.
Black 7s. ad. net.)—A volume in which a writer possessed of at least adequate knowledge has contrived to include the eleven centuries of Byzantine rule cannot but be found highly useful. We do not find ourselves always in agreement with Mr. Foord's judgments on men and events. He thinks that "Byzantine cruelty is largely a myth." Possibly his estimate of cruelty "differs from that which commonly prevails," as does, he tolls us, his estimate of certain rulers. When a successful candidate for the throne blinds his antagonist and consigns him to a prison for life we should call it a case of cruelty. He has, we read, "wasted little space on ecclesiastical controversies " ; we can see his reason ; still the ecclesiastical history must be taken into account when we estimate the general value of a nation's life. In the case of the Byzantine Empire it was more than commonly narrow and mean. Differences of opinion on this and that point do not prevent us from giving a general testimony to the solid value of Mr. Foord's work.
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