New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-19

T.
stsnley Lea 2lg NJ a. 81 States Octave. pp
Nxn S07: xxvi. s.. The Macmillan Company
During the last three quarters OF a century
the preparation OF Universal Histories either 10y
a single author or through cooperation, has
been a distinctively German industry. and has
been raised by them 10 the level Of an art Yet
the Universal History. although 50 thoroughly
naturalized ia the atmosphere Of German
scholarship was not native 10 the soil but was
originally a British product. II is now more
than a century and a half since group OF
scholars and literary hacks in London tried te
digest and emhody in a huge pile OF volumes
long known par excellence. as The Universal
History" the whole mass OF historical knowl-
edge. Arrangements and TRANSACTIONS OF the
seventy-odd volumes followed. attesting well
into the nineteenth century the popularity END
utility % the enterprise; but. sinsuarly enough,
not until to-day has British scholarship vent
ured a second attempt OF any considerable d.
mensions. The present undertaking is in a
sense fitting monument 10 the late LORD Acton,
who planned Il. and whose extraordinary
range OF historical knowledge never found ade-
ouate expression in any work that proceeded
from his own hand. u was Lord Acton's belief
that the time had come for comprehensive
survey OF the history of the modern world
from the standpoint Of recent scholarship. en-
bodying in a convenient and attractive form the
sfftee results Of the historical investigations Of
the later nineteenth century. Unfortunately his
life was not spared 10 oversee The fulflnent Of
his design, and its execution has been under
taken by Professors A. W. ward q. ". Pro
therO and Mr. Stanley Leathes OF the Univer-
sity Of Cambridge.
In its general plan the combination. through
unifying editorial guidance. Of separate mon
ographs by specialists. with critical and general
D. .7r,-=. IL,
'Histoire Generate de rEurope" Of Lavisse and
Raubaud. Il VIII be somewhat fuller. however.
as its twelve volumes are devoted To the period
10 which the French work allotted nine and
half and its range is less comprehensive. for il
renounces any systematic account Of the prog
ress Of literature. science and art. on the other
hand. its contents VIII be mere available for
ready consultation. for there viii be index
rot only TO each volume. but TO the series as
q whole. while ''Layisse and Rambaud" is with
cut indexes. The decision Of the editors not
10 admit footnotes viii be regretted by working
students Of history. We think there is a middle
ground with regard TO footuote references which
meets the reasonable demands Of the historical
student without MISUNDERSTANDING the reader. II
the wide diffusion Of modern historical instruc-
ticn accomrIishes anything. it must I'm time
create a body Of readers who VIII eisabuse au-
authenication Of an historical narrative dimin-
fishes its aCcepta bility.
In accordance with the plan 10 group the
monographs constituting the volumes around
some great central fact process. Italy, as the
centre OF commerce. the home OF the finest cult
ure. the seat Of the Church. and the prize OF
rival mouarchs. occupies a predominant place
IN the opening volume. receiving over TWO hun
dred pages. while France and England are al
lotted thirty each. First we have Italy and her
Invaders" and a general survey OF the twenty
five years. 14So-1515, by Mr. Stanley Leathes.
Then descending TO details. Florentine history
Tor a period somewhat within these limits IS
grouped around the careers Of Savonarela Cby Z.
Armstrong;. and NachiaveIH Oy J.. Arthur
Burd); next GENES Rene and the Temporal
Power Cby Richard GaruetU and Venice Goy
Horatio Brown. The larger part. too. q Pro
fessor Jebb's essay on the classical Renaissance
deals with Italy Outside Of Italy Professor
Tout writes on Germany. Or. Reich on the Sla-
vsnic kingdoms. Professor Bury on the Turks
Mr.. Butler Clarke an Spain. Mr.. Leathes on
France. Professor Ware on the Netherlands Mr.
Gardner on England and Dr. Cunningham on
eoenemic change. The literary Renaissance is
treated under two aspects-the classical by Pro-
fessor Jebs and the Christian by DR. n r.
James Similarly. religious conditions are ex-
hibited, respectively, by Catholic Dr. Barry.
catholic Europe" and by Protestant. Mr.. II.
Q. Lea. THE Eve Of the Reformation" ANY
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