MODERN EUROPE FROM 1815 TO 1899.
Modem Europe, 1815-1899. By W. Alison Phillips, M.A.. "Periods of European History," VIII. (Rivingtons. 6s. net.)—This author calls his book a history of the forces which have promoted or retarded the establishment of the " European Confederation" or " Concert " during the past century. Yet, as the narrative shows, that beneficent purpose was never seriously entertained except by the mystical Czar Alexander. His main topics tiro revolutions, dynastic and other fundamental changes, diplomacy, wars, and similar ; on the internal legislation and social records of the various States the door is shut unless international policy has been affected by the home movements in question. Our own domestic activities between 1815 and 1899 are dismissed in a single page devoted to the Cato Street Conspiracy time ; but the formation of the German Zollverein is detailed step by step, on the curious ground that the said Customs Union was the foundation of Prussia's eventual great- ness,—a highly imaginary idea ! Mr. Phillips is, on the whole, an accurate writer, but he gives the present German Bundesrath, or Federal Council, the name of Beichsrath, which, of course, is the designation of the Austrian Parliament. On the French battlefields of 1870 he makes some awkward stumbles. Bis- marck's Olympian prescience, "brutal forthrightness," and vul-
pine craft are overdrawn ; the effect of the insignificant abbre- viation of the Ems telegram is greatly magnified; while, on the other hand, the " War-in-sight " perils of 1875 were of his creation, and were quenched, not by him, but by the Emperor of Russia. Then of his remarkable work as legislative reformer between 1862 and 1890 not a hint is given. The portraiture of the pro- tagonists of the European situation is only drawn from the despatch-box point of view; but the estimates of their policy are generally adequate, and the author has reduced to its proper value the traditional laudation of Canning at the expense of "carotid-artery-cutting Castlereagh." Less impersonal are the sympathetic references to Cavonr ; but that great man's premature loss was the result of an ignominious physical incident, and not, as here alleged, of overwork in the cause of Italy too quickly and too easily made. Signor Crispi is altogether boy- cotted, except as Garibaldi's adlatus in 1860. As to Napoleon III., the author forgets the enmity to the Italian cause entertained not only by the boulevards mob, but also by the representatives of intel- lectual France, whereby the Emperor's activities were heavily han- dicapped. A final chapter on the Colonial expansions of" the new era" shows in detail how the African and Asiatic rivalries of the Powers have brought the civilised world into the presence •)f issues by the side of whose difficulties and perils the old European problems seem to shrink into mere molehills. Looking to certain features of the present scramble for China, there seems little ground for the hope of Mr. Phillips that Europe is on the road to the recognition of its unity as a single nation. What we chiefly miss in the book are the synoptical contents, headings, and auxiliary tables, &c., so essential in every history, big or small ; and we wish the notices of the domestic politics had not been brought to an abrupt close at the early date of 1867. But all the author's defects are of the secondary order, he has an artistic command of epigram and sarcasm, and his thoughtful volume will give the intelligent reader both profit and pleasure.
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