they did, we suspect that the Italian novelists would turn from
such commonplace affairs to the more stirring events with which History
has been heretofore concerned. But the story before us has no lack of
incident. When the persons of the drama are fairly brought upon the
stage, the action begins at once; surprise follows surprise, plot is
matched by plot, until the fortunes of the actors are entwined
inextricably. The portraits of the famous Colonna and of the infamous
Caesar Borgia (the latter being the arch "villain" of the story) are
drawn in sharp and decisive lines. The tournament which forms the scene
of the catastrophe is a brilliant picture, though not a pleasing one for
a Friend or a member of the Peace Society.

Of course the element of Love is not wanting; two golden threads run
through the crimsoned web; but whether they meet before Atropos comes
with the fatal shears, it is not best to say. When the modern
novel-reader can answer the momentous question, "Did they marry?" the
charm of the most exciting story, for him, is gone.

Aside from the interest which one feels in the changing fortunes of the
hero, the book is especially valuable for the light it throws upon that
period of Italian history, and upon the subtilties of Italian character.

RECENT AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS.

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Institutions. By J.S.C. Abbott. With One Hundred Engravings. New York.
Harper & Brothers. 8vo. pp. 439. $2.50.

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Personal Recollections of the American Revolution. A Private Journal.
Prepared from Authentic Domestic Records. Together with Reminiscences of
Washington