Life of Abraham Lincoln. By Isac N. Arnold. (Jansen, McClurg,
and Co, Chicago.)—The biographer of Lincoln has a theme of almost unrivalled interest. The lives of most American politicians lack 040 essential to success in Europe—the issues presented to our notice are not clearly comprehended. Party lines in America are so different from what we are accustomed to that the ordinary reader finds it difficult, if not impossible, to appreciate the importance of the issues raised. In the present case, however, this does not apply. The final victory in the struggle of freedom against slavery was reserved for Abraham Lincoln ; and the war of 1860-4 is already recognised as of world-wide importance. Lincoln was an orator with a very effective eloquence of a direct and earnest type, and he was further a states- man of a very high order. It is impossible to rise from the perusal of these pages without feeling convinced that it is to him, above all others, that America is indebted for the preservation of her unity. The victories of Grant would have been impossible but for the single- hearted and earnest politician at the "White House." Mr. Arnold has done his work in a manner worthy of his subject. He was, besides being an intimate friend of the president, himself an actor in many of the events which he describes, and this gives great freshness and animation to his narrative. The book will prove a valuable addition to the history of the American War.
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