The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-21 00:00:00

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LITERATURE.

Scenes from the Drama of European History. By
W. Davenport Adams, Author of "The Sea-
Kings of England," &c. One Vol. Pp. 516.

Virtue Brothers.

In this volume Mr. Davenport Adams bas given
a very concise and comprehensive glimpse of the
chief events of European history from the battle of
Tours, A.D. 732, to the battle of Waterloo, 1815.
Between these two remarkat,le events, linking them
together by a chain of chronological sequences, all
the remarkable incidents and vicissitudes which
have marked the history of Europe during the past
eleven centuries appear before us. These events
are arranged with great discrimination in fifteen
different chapters or "scenes," with appropriate
headings, such as "The Coronation of Charlemagne,'
"The Battle of Hastings," "The Crusades," "The
Siege of Orleans, "The Discovery of the New
World," " The Battle of Pultowa," &c., &c. To
many of these chapters are appended supplementary
" Postscripts," containing most interesting and ap
propriate extracts from historical and other authors.
For example, in the "Postscript" to Scene VII., on
the discovery of America by Columbus, Mr. Adams
has very happily introduced some of the earnest
and eloquent passages in which Lamartine has
eulogised the genius and the character of the great
Genoese discoverer. The passage quoted is the one
beginning—" God hides himself in the processes
of human affairs, and reveals himself in their com-
pleteness." The noble qualities of Columbus have
rarely found a more eloquent expositor than the
gifted historian of the Girondists. The other
"scenes" are illustrated with - similarly ap-
propriate postscripts. Mr. Adams has evinced
great skill and discernment in the selection of the
pen-and••ink illustrations by which he has eluci-
dated his drama of history. In his introduction.
the author tells us that his book is intended for two
classes of readers—namely, for " the youthful stu-
dent who may wish to obtain a knowledge of the
leading events of European history as a whole be
fore proceeding to a more elaborate examination of
the annals of different countries," and for " the
general reader who has neither the leisure nor the
inclination for the comparison of a vast number of
authorities." To both these classes of readers Mr.
Adams's very interesting and able epitome will
prove most valuable and acceptable.

What is Your Name? A Popular Account of the
Meaning and Derivations of Christian Names.
By Sophy Moody, anther of " The Fairy Tree,"
&e. One Vol, Pp. 313. Bentley.
This very charming volume must contain some.
thing to interest everyone. We may here learn
not only what our names are, but what we our-
selves should be. The learned " Sophia" to whose
researches we are indebted for this very elaborate
and interesting treatise upon our names, has aplea-
sant theory of her own upon the subject. "Do
we not," she asks, " carry about with us, each one
of us, our own especial talisman r not mute, like the
ring of Amurath, but hourly sounding in our ears
its peculiar note—it may be of warning—it may be
of encouragement, telling of high aims and glorious
rewards. Why," she adds, " should these names,
which are in many cases rich with suggestive elo-
quence, fall on our ears but as empty sounds ? Why
should not that poor, peevish, discontented Laßtitia
(gladness) strive to connect with the calling of her
Christian name an endeavour after the Christian
grace of cheerfulness ?" &c. In refutation of Shak-
spere's incredulous query in the very first chapter
of this book of names, we find the folloWing re-
markable instances of the importance sometimes
attached to such appellations.