IX. England in 1835. Being a Series of Letters written to Friends in Germany, during a Residence in Lon- don, and Excursions into the Provinces. By Fre- derick Von Raumer, Professor of History at the X. 1. Inaugural Lecture, read before the University of Oxford, March 17th, 1836. By R. D. Hampden, D.D., Regius Professor of Divinity. 2. Statements of Christian Doctrine, extracted from the Published Writings of R. D. Hampden, D.D., ART. I. Narrative of the Arctic Land Expedition to the Mouth of the Great Fish River, and along the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, in the Years 1833, 1834, and II. The Greek Pastoral Poets, Theocritus, Bion, and Mos- chus; done into English. By M. J. Chapman, M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, III. 1. The Works of William Cowper, Esq., comprising his Poems, Correspondence, and Translations. With a Life of the Author, by the Editor, Robert Southey, Esq., LL.D., Poet-Laureate, &c. Vols. I. II. III. 2. The Works of William Cowper his Life and Letters by William Hayley Esq. now first completed by the introduction of Cowper's Private Correspondence. Edited by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe, A.M., Rector of Burton, Northamptonshire, and Vicar of Bidden- ham, Bedfordshire, Author of the Life of the Rev. IV. 1. Correspondence relating to the Slave Trade. Classes A. and B. presented to Parliament, 1833, 4, and 5. 2. Leonard's Voyage to Western Africa, 1833, V. Narrative of an Expedition across the Andes, and down the Amazons from Lima to Para; with Information respecting the Commercial Advantages to be derived from the Navigation of that River, and concerning the Countries through which it passes. By Lieut. VI. 1. Thoughts on the Improvement of the System of Country Banking. By Vincent Stuckey, Esq. VIII. The most Striking Events of a Twelvemonths' Cam- paign with Zumalacarregui in Navarre and the IX. 1. Extracts from the Information received by his Ma- jesty's Commissioners as to the administration and operation of the Poor Laws. Published by authority. 2. Report from his Majesty's Commissioners for En- quiring into the administration and practical opera- tion of the Poor Laws. Published by authority. 3. First Annual Report of the Poor Law Commis- sioners for England and Wales, X. The Despatches Minutes, and Correspondence of the THE EDINBURGH REVIEW. APRIL, 1836. N. CXXVII. ART. I.-Histoire de la Réforme, de la Ligue, et du Regne de Henri IV. Par M. CAPEFIGUE. 8 tom. 12mo. Bruxelles: 1834-35. WE E do not find that this work enjoys much reputation in France, and in many respects we have but an indifferent opinion of its merits. But as the historical views it contains are at variance with those given by authors whom the public has been accustomed to respect, we trust some remarks upon it will not be unacceptable to our readers. In writing a history of the League it has been the object of M. Capefigue to exhibit a picture of the opinions and character of the age in which it occurred. He has for that purpose accumulated passages from the pamphlets, discourses, letters, journals, satires, and ballads of the times. He boasts of having examined with care the chief collections of manuscripts in the libraries of France. He has made copious extracts from the municipal books of the Hôtel de Ville at Paris, and borrowed occasionally from the private diaries of individuals who took a lively interest or active part in affairs. He has ransacked the archives of Simancas, and abstracted from the letters and memorials that passed between Philip II. and his agents abroad, whatever could throw light on the negotiations and intrigues of the Spanish Cabinet in foreign countries. He has published in his text the materials from which other historians have drawn their narratives. It cannot be denied that he has added to our stock of historical information. But it must also be admitted that many of the pieces he has inserted are of inconsiderable value when compared with their length and tediousness. The endless repetition of insignificant orders from the Hôtel de Ville, and the circumstantial, but often incorrect reports of proceedings transmitted from one town to another, might have been spared us, or at least banished to an appendix. The truth seems to be, that, like many recent authors of his own country, he has been seduced by the success of Sir Walter Scott into a vain attempt to revive the passions and feelings of the middle ages, by minute and circumstantial details from contemporary writers who witnessed and participated in the scenes they describe. But, wanting the judgment and discretion of that great master in his art, M. Capefigue, instead of enlivening his narrative by the fruits of his studies, fatigues and wearies us with diffuse and tiresome descriptions of shows, mummeries, exhibitions, banquets, collations, and balls-with bells ringing, banners floating, and colours flying in all directions-with honourable mention of the crimson velvet and embroidered vestments worn on these occasions; and tedious descriptions of the dresses and decorations of the ladies and gentlemen, and of the accoutrements even of the horses and mules. Mingled with these details we have long and minute accounts of splendid feasts served in gold, with delectable wines and viands prepared for the guests, and money and sugar-plums scattered among the populace. In addition to these amusing and instructive particulars, we have long processions of municipal officers, from the provost to the beadle, and enumerations of all the trades in Paris, from the draper and grocer to the scavenger. In the abundance of his zeal for original information, M. Capefigue favours us with whole pages of orders issued, from day to day, to the train-bands and militia of Paris, which are not more edifying or entertaining than a series of regimental orders regulating the movements of the guard-room. caps But it is not of these useless and wearisome details that we chiefly complain. History has been called philosophy teaching by example. It has been described as an impartial tribunal before which men are summoned after death, and acquitted or condemned according to their merits. Its object is said to be the improvement of mankind in wisdom and virtue, and to teach them how to conduct themselves well in all the relations of life. If the historian palliates vice or cruelty-if, not content with tracing and explaining the causes, he vindicates the excesses of error and ignorance, he fails in the duty he has contracted to society by assuming that character. Such is not the view which M, Cape |