By the Right Hon. Sir HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart., P.C.,
Author of ‘The Life of Wellington,’ etc.
With Portraits in Photogravure. Demy 8vo., cloth. 14s. net.
The second of Sir Herbert Maxwell’s three volumes covers the central period of the nineteenth century, and extends from the passing of the first to the passing of the second Reform Bill, the latter date being, of course, chosen not as marking the close of an epoch, but simply in order to divide the century as nearly as possible into equal third parts. The outstanding feature of English politics during the first portion of this period is the disappearance of the old-time Tories and the creation of the modern Conservative Party by Sir Robert Peel. Of the questions which agitated the country in and out of Parliament, two are of special interest at the present hour—namely, the reform of the administration of the Poor Law in 1834, and the controversy between Protection and Free Trade. With the close of the latter by the Repeal of the Corn Laws and the disappearance of Peel from the scene, a new era opens. The strife of parties continues under new leaders, some of whom have only recently passed away; but it is concerned with less momentous issues, and the interest shifts largely to external matters, the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, the war in the United States, and the beginnings of great changes in the political system of Europe, where the events of 1848 ushered in a new epoch, which witnessed the struggle for liberty in Italy, and the sudden rise of Prussia.
It has been said with reference to Sir Herbert Maxwell’s first volume, that he is a politician, therefore a party man, therefore disqualified from writing history. The criticism was anticipated by the author, who has given what is surely the sufficient and only possible answer to it—namely, that hitherto the writing of the history of the period has been monopolized by party men—of the other side.
WAR AND THE ARME BLANCHE.
By ERSKINE CHILDERS,
Author of ‘The Riddle of the Sands’; Editor of Vol. V. of the
‘“Times” History of the War in South Africa,’ etc.
With an Introduction by the Right Hon. Field-Marshal