The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Literary Lights and Shadohs
BY S. MAYS BALL.

.eDanton and the French Revolution" By
 Charles F. Warwick. George w.
 Jacobs & Co.)
 While MT. Charles F. Warwick was mayor of Philadelphia and long before that period he was busy on the writing of series of volumes on the French revolution. MT. Warwick had divided the French revolution into three periods, each period represented and headed by great man, for instance Mirabeau. then Dan- ton, and at the end Robespierre. There fore, in taking up the history of France at that time MT. Warwick has already published his ''Mirabeau and the French Revolution" and at this time sends 1orth the second book of the three called Dan ton and the French Revolution;" later on in the year MT. Warwick expects to publish the third and last volume, called "'Robespierre and the French Revolutlon. Although each of these volumes is sep arate and complete in itself, the three books will form series covering the en- tire period of the French revolution.
 It was at the death of Mirabeau that there was ended the first period Of the revolution, at which time Danton and his followers came into power. Mirapeau nad struggled hard against heavy odds 10 restore order and save the monarchy but he had failed because he could not secure the confidence and support of those whose cause he had espoused. When Mirabeau passed away the proud empire or the Bourbons was doomed. MT. Warwick says: "The bells that tolled his death rang at the same time the knell Of the monarchy" When Mirabeau passed out of the revolution Danton stepped in. Dan ton was a man with almost superhuman power who wished to tear down and de- stroy that system which Mirabeau nad striven to save Danton gave the revoiu- ton a fresh impulse, his courage and au- dacity aroused the spirit of the radlcAis. From the time of the headth of Mirapeau until the execution of Louis XVI and ms Queen, Danton was the master or the French revolution. At the time Of Mira beau's death France had lost every Tea fure of a monarchy save that King still occupied the throne. The reVoiution had leveled the walls of the pastlle, nao given a declaration of rights ana the form of a constitution to France; had euualized taxation, had removed the pur- dens of feudalism; had abolished privl- leges and exemptions; had destroyed titles and distinctions; had introduced system of economy in the public administrator, l, had scattered the nobles; had conhscated the lands of the church; had prescribed the turing priests; had brought the king as captive from Versailles to Paris and had put him and his queen in the humiliating position of being held as hostages for the good behavior or the emigrants When Danton came Into power there was not much left for the revolution to do but the disposition or the king and the establishment of repuDnc. It was to these tasks, MT. WarW1ck says, that Danton devoted himself in earnest. Danton had been loyal to the monarchy, he was naturally, and by birth, of that conservative class that adheres to exis1- ing conditions that fears radical reforms and sudden violent changes. In the carry stages of the revolution Danton no more wishes the destruction of the monarcny than Mirabeau. Danton was reformer' A revolutionist of the positive type, MT Warwick says. but he believed that king was as necessary to the government or France as to England. With Mirapeau out of the revolution, Danton took charge accomplished many good things, caused many horrible wrongs and cruel oeeos' to end on the scaffold himself.
 MT. Warwick gives the usual account or Danton's birth. childhood and family sur roundings that we will find in all bio- graphical works. And, while all Of that environment, early life and associations had much to do with Dantons manhood, it is to the times of his activity in Paris while he struggled with and against the Girondsts, with his allies and associates, the Jacobins, that the reader will turn with greatest interest, and in MT. War wicks most entertaining book that reader will not be disappointed. Of course, the times. the setting and everything con neoted with the French revolution are filled with the material for most dramatic treatment, and it would be difficult to turn out an uninteresting book on those times, but MT. Warwick has gone quite ahead of many of the books on that neriod of history for his "Danton." in many parts, reads like romance
 MT. Warwicks description of King Louis XVI and Marie Antionette are very strongly written. Says MT. War wick: Louis XVI was without practical and political wisdom. He was utterly incapable as a ruler; in every way in- efficient He was a king only in name The truth is that he had had few of the qualities that command respect. He lost his crown without ever making a bold effort to save it. He was worthy neither the devotion of his friends nor the confidence of his people. He inspired neither enthusiasm nor loyalty" When