CURRENT LITERATURE.
THE STORY OP LORD CLIVE.
The Story of Lord Clive, By John Lang. "The Children's Heroes" Series. (T. C. and E. C. Jack. Is. Bd. net.)—Though our notice is somewhat belated, we feel that we must find space to say a warm word of praise for this admirable little book. All the numbers of "The Children's Heroes" Series have been good, but the ." story" of Clive is told in such a way as to make it almost as delightful for grown-up people as for children, and yet there is no sacrifice in the matter of simplicity of narration. The book is eminently just and fair to Clive, and tells the wonderful story of his life with sympathy as well as accuracy. Clive was, in truth, neither a wild, uneducated savage, nor a bad, bold, unscrupulous man redeemed by patriotism, but in reality a wise and brave statesman with a sound heart. Ile was never ashamed of his own actions, and we believe that the more closely those actions are examined the more clearly it will be seen that there was nothing in them of which his countrymen need be ashamed. Unfortunately, Macaulay's delight in a striking antithesis tempted him to depict Clive as a. man of violent moral contrasts. Even in the matter of Omiehund we hold that Clive acted rightly and honourably. Unless men are always to be at the mercy of the blackmailer, Clive did what was right and necessary in the circumstances. The proved blackmailer in private life is treated in the way that Clive treated Omichund. We do not see why there should be a different treatment for the blackmailer in public affairs. We have only to add our sincere wish that The Story of Lord Clive will be read by a very large number of boys and girls, and that they will take the lessons of his life to heart. Mr. John Lang is to be congratulated on a most excellent piece of work. Mr. Stewart Orr gives him sound support in his pictures.
Previous page
