The Press. — 1857-01-03 (London, England)

BIOGRAPHY. We are at a loss in which deptrtment to place Dr. Doran's new work, M, inarclis Retired from Business " (7). It contains sketches of all sovereigns, ancient and modern, who have either been deposed, or have voluntarily abdicated their sceptres. Instances of the latter are rare, and the results seldom fortunate. Diocletian, happy for a time, was at last tormented by a feeling of insecurity, and died so obscurely that it is not certain whether he perished by suicide or by the hand of an assassin. Maximilian fared as badly. Charles V. must often have regretted his power, though he made no effort to recover it. The history of Victor Amadeus, first King of Sardinia, is curious. After abdicating in favour of his son lie was so violently urged by his wife (au ex-lady-inwaiting) to resume the Crown, that he made the effort, failed, was separated from his wife, and kept iu strict confinement till all danger from his ambition was over. Christina of Sweden furnishes the most memorable example of voluntary abdication. Dr. Doran gives a copious sketch of her fantastic career. She resigned her Crown at twenty-four, and lived a fussy, useless, and not innocent life afterwards for forty years. The placid King of Holland, who, in our day, resigned his Crown at sixty-eight for love, lived but a short period to enjoy his felicity with the Countess d'Oultrement. He die very suddenly h tree years afterwards, possessed of a fortune, according to our author, of thirteen millions sterling. These volumes by Dr. Dom'', like his previous ones, are written in a careless, sprightly vein. We can excuse inaccuracies in works so rapidly produced ; but such offences against good taste as calumnious misrepresentation of living personages, and as in. decent allusions, are unpardonable in even a superficial essayist. It is a pity that a writer who stows so much tact in the selection of his subjects, and such readiness iu compilation, should not bestow a little more care on his composition. Of a widely different character is M. Brialmont's Llialtuire du Due de Wellington (8). The author is a Belgian of distinguished ability. He proposes to supply—what is undoubtedly a defect Loth in continental and English literature—a complete and authentic biography of Wellington. This volume brings his career down to the close of the Peninsular campaign of 1611. Two more volumes will complete the work. We can speak of the manner in which M. Brialmont has fulfilled his arduous work only in general terms. The broad principles on which he has proceeded are admirable. It is possible to speak of a great general in relation to his military exploits alone : if he won great battles and achieved great conquests he would be great as a soldier, irrespective of the means which he employed to gain his ends. Much more is required to form a truly great man. It is necessary that he should wage war humanely, that his ends should be just and his exploits be permanent in their consequences, and that he should exercise his talents for the service of his country, not for motives of personal aggrandisement. M. Brialmont recognises these considerations. His view of the character of our great hero is large, complete, and generous. "It is the in" contestable merit of Wellington," says the author, " that he succeeded in all his enter" prises without the possibility of any one " being able to reproach him with falsehood, " trickery, or cruelty." In the course of his work the author takes occasion to correct some of the most glaring errors of M. Thiers. The tiography thus far appears to us highly  (7) Wotan-Pet Retired from Business. By Dr. Doran. 2 vols. London : Bentley. (6) ilistoire ds Due de Wellington. Par M. Drialmont Tonle I. London: tills,: and Co. (9) Alfieri and ciobt mi their Lira and Adventures. By Edward Copping. London : Add2l and Co.