Autobiography of A. B. Granville, 31.D., F.R.S. Edited by his
Daughter. (Henry S. King and Co.)—Dr. Granville's autobiography is a very pleasant contribution to the chatty and anecdotal order of literature, which agreeably supplements history and historical essays, and we are very glad to have a posthumous acquaintance with him. This Italian gentleman (for Dr. Granville's real name was Bozzi ; his family was connected with the Bonapartes, and he assumed his
maternal grandmother's name on coming to England to practise t as a physician,) must have been a singularly interesting and charming person. acute, humorous, well-bred, frank, kind-hearted, a keen and persistent observer of men and events, combining Italian cheeriness and English energy of character to a remarkable _ r degree, and qualified to make the most and best of a life full of events,
vicissitudes, experiences, and opportunities. His autobiography is very pleasantly written, in an easy, familiar style, digressive, but not tediously or confusedly rambling, full of colour, anecdote, allusion, and suggestion, quaintly mixing up his professional with other interests and observa- tions, and affording the reader glimpses of a great number of eminent and important persons more or less en deshabille, just as they are really most interesting to see. His first historical picture is that of the trium- phant entrance of Bonaparte " into Milan, " the capital of the Cisalpine Republic," on May 15th, 1796 ; his last is that of an interview which he had with the Czarevitsch, now Alexander II., during a visit to St. Petersburg in 1849. This visit is especially memorable, as his pro- fessional inquiries and discoveries convinced him that the Emperor Nicholas was a madman, and ho subsequently warned Lord Palmerston (vainly) of the fact. During the long interval Dr. Granville travelled a great deal, he met a great number of eminent, important, and interest- ing persons ; he kept pace with scientific discovery, he enjoyed Art, he revelled in Society ; he was useful, busy, popular, not only as a fashion- able physician ; he kept a chatty and humorous, but not superficial, record of his life, his acquaintances, and his experiences, which we cannot analyse, but which we have thoroughly enjoyed, and can recom- mend as among the most attractive and profitable reading which has come in our way for a long time. The Autobiography, after it has been read through, will bear to be dipped into very often, and will assuredly find its way into the " handy " shelf of the book-case.
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