Blue and Grey. By Harry Collingwood. (Cassell and Co. 35.
6d.)—Once again, under Mr. Collingwood's guidance, we fight the battle of Hampton Roads between the Virginia' and the `Monitor,' and at the last the combat of the Alabama' and the Kearsarge.' The story of those historic duels loses nothing in the retelling, and there are other even more exciting fights. Jack Howard, a Lieutenant in the Confederate Army, is transferred to the Navy after some preliminary adventures in which he runs the blockade in a cotton-steamer. He sails in the Alabama' from the beginning of her eventful history as Gunnery Lieutenant, and thus by the conclusion of the war has seen as much fighting as a hero can reasonably expect to have. For the reader there will be the satisfaction not only of stirring fights, but of studying historical events and real characters. Captain Semmes of the Alabama' is a vigorously drawn portrait, just a little crudely outlined perhaps, but giving us an idea of the type of men who fought for the South and for the North. The unexpected rencontre with the pirate in Mid-Atlantic is a striking and well- told incident, and there are not a few others. Blue and Grey is an excellent story from beginning to end, and Mr. Collingwood describes a fight at sea as well as any one we know; but we ought, perhaps, to leave the decision to younger readers.
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