THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RICHARD I.
SURNAMED CŒUR-DE-LION, KING OF ENGLAND.
By William E. Aytoun, Author of “Bothwell,” a Poem.
None of our monarchs has achieved a wider fame than Cœur-de-Lion, yet his personal history is of all others least studied or understood. All men know that he rebelled against his father, but comparatively few are aware of the cause. All know that he conducted a crusade, and encountered Saladin; but few are acquainted with the extent of his conquests, or the causes which drove him back a fugitive to Europe. No period of the romantic ages is more interesting, or better entitled to a close examination.
NARRATIVES OF PERIL AND SUFFERING.
By R. A. Davenport. 2 Vols.
This wide field for the display of taste, talent, and general acquaintance with the history of man in his social character, has been occupied by Mr. Davenport, a veteran in elegant literature; and the popularity which his selections from the children of sorrow has acquired, is equal to that of his most successful labours. In collecting so many tales of woe and of enterprise, the author disclaims the mere vanity of having produced a work of amusement; he seeks to inculcate the salutary lesson, “that there are few things that may not be accomplished by perseverance and courage, accompanied by self-command and presence of mind.”
THE LIFE OF BRUCE,
THE AFRICAN TRAVELLER.
By Major Sir Francis B. Head, Author of “Rough Notes,” &c.
Bruce’s Travels, as originally published, occupy five quarto volumes, mixed up with Abyssinian history, and speculations on Egyptian mythology. The author has contrived to compress into this little volume the best parts of Bruce’s Life and voluminous and expensive Travels, without omitting one incident of importance and interest. He has vindicated the character of Bruce, by confronting the statements of his accusers with the testimony of later travellers. The narrative had been allowed universally to possess the interest of a romance, from the graphic style in which he has described his adventures and sufferings, and the strange people and countries which he visited: but Major Head has secured for Bruce the credit of a trustworthy authority, in addition to the reputation of an entertaining narrator.
THE COURT AND CAMP OF BUONAPARTE.