The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-04
RECENT PUBLICATIONS

SLOANE'S NAPOLEON. - The literary
event of the season is the Life of NapG-
leon BOnaparte," which is begun ia the
Century Magazine for November. The
first chapters are devoted to Napoleon's
childhood and youth and include refer
ence 10 the revolutionary epoch 10 Europe.
In his preface MI. Sloane gives an idea
of the scope Of his work. he says: The
studies of which the result is given in the
following pages began long before the
present general and popular interest in
Napoleon's life could possibly have been
foreseen. The impulse was a conviction
that Napoleon's career was an historic
force. and not meteoric flash in the dark
ness of revolution. For twenty-five years
a small band of historical students has
been devoted to the scientific investiga
of this question. Their task has been
rendered comparatively easy by the liberal
spirit with which European archives, of
old carefully guarded, have in recent
years been thrown open for examination.
| There is almost no portion of the epoch
which has not been made the subject o {
critical eXamina alton, based upon archival
research. In nearly all cases documents
in support of the writer's conclusions
have been printed; in a few instances the
official custodians have edited substantial
volumes containing the entire diplomatic
correspondence relating to certain i'm
portant periods. The historical reviews
have published many special discussions.
AS the interest grew. family papers were
! ewise raDsacked and memoirs of great
! value have been brought to light and pub
/ lished.
I'm this way, and for the first time, the
materials for life of Napoleon have ac-
cumulated. The merclless scrutiny of dis
I passionate criticism has discredited in
a large measure the legendary recitals
which have hitherto passed for the bio
graphy Of that phenomenal man: an at
| tempt must be made TO substitute for
attributed motives and fictitious details
sober narrative of facts. Thus we may
hope to secure not merely a correct outline
and accurats detail, but the relation Of the
whole to general history. Three such
efforts have been made within compare
lively short time. LanfIey, the French
I biographer, died before the completion of
his work. which, though brilliant, is far
from Impartial; Seeley, the distinguished
English historian, wrote philosophic
sketch, which, though mastery. is neither
full nor dispassionate; finally. Fourier
an Austrian scholar, essayed a short,
popular life. This is the most successful
of the three but il ls sometimes marred by
evidences ational prejudice.
The United States had fewer direct re-
any other Western power, but Americans
have been quite as intensely Interested in
the person and deeds of Napoleon as the
people OF any European nation. To them
as to all other English-s peaking peoples
most OF the recent investigation has been
! uDknown-ln fact the easily accessible lit
eratnre is obsolete or has been dangerously
tinted with European controversy. LIZ ap-
pears self-evident that the story should be
retold, and that an American writer might
| hope TO avail himself Of a double persDec-
tive, both Of time and distance, to present
the truth without distortion. Such were
the considerations W hich long since moved
the author to undertake his task, and led
tire editor Of the Century TIC lend the re-
sources of the magazine to its completion.
Fully aware of his own imperfec'ions, and
of the responsibility which rests upon QUE
who undertakes labor of such magni-
tude, the author nevertheless feels assured
of the public Indulgence, for the reasons
given above. The foresight of those who
conduct the Century has been amply vim
Dictated by the fact that at the moment OF
Initiating their enterprise com bination
of singular and complex causes has ren-
oereu the theme Itself more popular than
ever before in America. Moreover. since
questions of social order in the United
States now bear closer analogy to those
In the sister republic than at any time in
our history, the origins of present socia
conditions in the latter are proportionately
valuable for comparative study"
Inc Illustrations are numerous and wor.
thy OF the art department OF the Century
NO higher praise can be awarded them.
HE LIGHT THROUGH THE STORM
Not often does writer present his work.
to the public III more beautiful form thar
has Charles A. Keller, the author of tn,
book Of poems under the foregoing title
!. We have had occasion before to speak o
J the dainty printing and artistic "get-up'