New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-10

THE NINETEENTH cent? RY. HISTORY. BY RoBKRr
MACKENZIE CFrankliD square Li1raryJ svo. PIP. g.
Harper Bro hers.
The eventful story of the period which forms
the subject of this narrative has perhaps never been re-
hated with greater cOncseness. and certainly never with
greater than by the writer OF the present
comprehensive work Commencing with the political
md social condition of Europe the opening of the
century inc uding compact sketch OF the French Rev
ouon the overthrow OF the monarchy and the accession
OF Napoleon to the government Of Fraucehe proceeds TO
the history OF the First Empire. aud the reconstruction
of the map OF Europe after the fall OF the Emperor The
second book embraces tho progress OF reform In EuS
land the military civil and social history OF the period
the Indian Empire and the Colonies while the third ana
last book is occupied mainly with tine continental
governments the Papacy. and the United States. In
treating the condition OF this country after The civil
war; the author comments on the financial relations in
encouraging terms referring to the national dent OF six
hundred million pounds, OF which was contracted
on hard terms money was scarce and
The national credit not good and the subse-
oucnt reduction OF the debt TO about four hundred
millions with the dimuuii0n Of the burden by using the
improved credit to borrow easier terms. In speaking
of the national expenditure, he remarks that America
is the only great power the world which does not con
slmc the substance of her people by uphOlding huge
military establishments in time of peace" The author
presents brief retrospect of the century, for the most
part from a highly favorabe-perhaps Ia the estimation
OF the most intelligent readers, too favOrIble-pOnt OF
view. He Rttrm5 mat Inc continuance OF inc ues-
poiism which formerly prevailed over Europe has been
rendered forever impossible by the French Revolution
Napoleon although himself Of the most extreme Of
despos, sOwed revolutionary principles broadcast over
the whole Continent Hsjudical code taught tine equality
OF man before the law. His overthrow OF multitude of
princes rudely shocked the prevailing estimate Of the
ssrctitv of crowned heads He weakened tie temporal
power dealt fatal blow at the privileges OF the Old
.eudal nobility, and inspired the lower orders Of the
people ideas regarding their own rights. The
Congress Of Vienna blind to these facts and recon
e;rueted Europe the interests of mOnarchs with the
aim Of restoring the authority winch the revolution had
torn away When the great settlement complete
the destinies OF Europe given TO the control
OF a few families. But new forces had risen up and
GROWN strong amid the tumut OF universal war. Every
where beside the will OF the king the will Of the
reooe The history OF the subsequent halfcentuy is
tie history Of the struggle for popular rights III the
nations OF Europe general victory has been won by
the people. and to-day the men of Western Europe
Govern themselves. Popular suffrage, more or less
closely approaching universal chooses the governing
power and by methods more less effective deter.
mlpes its policy The nineteenth century its author
AYERS has witnessed progress beyond all precedent
Neyer since the mighty impulse communicated by the
Christian religion has the condition Of man experienced
such vast authorizations Ii has all that the most
ardent reformer desire in the removal Of artificial
obstacles placed in the path OF human progress by
selfshness aud ignorance, and leaving the growth Of
mans welbeing the oenedcen regulation OF prOvi
Dental laws The opinions Of the author, which
.aciously urged viii challenge or less influence,
according to the prepOssessOns OF the reader but
one can fail TO appreciate the value OF the information
which Is crowded into so brief space and set forth in
SO convenient and attractive FORM