The New York herald., 1922-03-19

Sarded, with hardly dis
senting voice. as one of the greatest
monarchS of all time. Historians
generally see in her the real founder
or the great British Empire. the first
constructive ruler whose vision ex-
tended beyond England itself, fore
seeing q wider future. And although
attempts have been made to give the
chief credit for the achievements OF
her long reign to her advisers, espe-
cialiy to Burghley, Walsingham and,
for the later period. Bacon. the
dynamic quality OF her own per-
sonality has usually been recognized
But along with this full admission
of her greatness there has also been
general agreement that in her
private character. as a woman, she
was not above reproach and sus-
picion. This belief has crystallized
into many legends of immortality.
some of them grotesque. fantastic
absurdities. 1t even finds expression
in the composition" of little Eng
lish schoolgirl, which Mr.. Chamber
lain quotes. and which concludes
that Queen Elizabeth was a very
improper person: but by reason of
great tact She succeeded in being
called a Virgin Queen after she was
dead"
Also the average reader visualizes
her as a robust, rather mannish
woman of powerful physique. able
to undergo great physical hardship
aud possessed of vigorous health.
She is pictured as a mighty huntress,
as we'll as indefatigable in work.
Mr.. Chamberlain's remarkable-and
fascinatingly interesting-study is
devoted to the demolition of these
two prevalent conceptions: to dem
onstration that she was il not ex-
actly a lifelong invalid at least an
always suffering, neurotic woman
tusing neurotic in its strict, narrow
medical sensel, probably sexually
deficient and slightly abnormal. and
that, secondly. despite the legends.
she was wholly chaste. The book
has third element, which is
minor item here but to be developed
later into a companion volume. in
the attempt to rehabilitate Leicester.
in whom he sees a very great states
man. a real leader OF first class abil-
ity instead OF the mere flgurehead,
fayorite or "chief clerk" he is often
held to he.
II.
Mr.. Chamberlain tells us that
"well known historical scholar" has
credited him with the development
OF "a new way of writing history"
The claim is too sweeping. but II has
some truth, as his method is unusual
and, let us hasten to add, unusually
good. His aim. he says. is TO set
before the reader the evidence itself
rather than what I think about It."
SO that the solution OF the his
torical problem is thus left alto
gether to the reader rather than to
the historian" lie also remarks:
I'm these days no public viii accept
the dicta of anybody upon anything:
the present generation must
be shown all the evidence supporting
any theory or contention before it
will accept it," One would like to
agree with that, but the critical pub
lie is as yet hardly so fully developed.
1t is, however. wholly laudable
attitude for any historian.
Nevertheless. in spite of his extern
sive display of evidence from original
sources. Mr.. Chamberlain remains an
advocate rather than a judge. and is
not at all chary in expressing his
own opinion. His attitude. however,
is critical, and he honestly seeks 10
unearth all the evidence. He is con-