rkham. She, good lady, was the
wife of an English clergyman by the name of Penrose, and she wrote
English history as such a person might be supposed to write it. With
every intention to be honest, her book has many facts and opinions
which boys and girls will have to take more time to unlearn than they
spent in learning, unless they intend to be children their whole
lives.

There is, however, a story in the volume regarding the Duke of
Marlborough, which we think few of our readers have seen. The duke's
command of his temper was almost miraculous. Once, at a council of
war, Prince Eugene advised that an attack on the enemy should be made
the next day. As his advice was plainly judicious, he was much
exasperated at the refusal of the duke's consent, and immediately
called him a coward and challenged him. Marlborough cooly declined
the challenge, and the enraged prince left the council. Early the
following morning he was awoke by the duke, who desired him instantly
to rise, as he was preparing to make the attack, and added, "I could
not tell you of my determination last night, because there was a
person present who I knew was in the enemy's interest, and would
betray us. I have no doubt we shall conquer, and when the battle is
over I will be ready to accept your challenge." The prince, seeing the
superior sagacity of Marlborough, and ashamed of his own intemperance,
overwhelmed the duke with apologies, and the friendship of the two
generals was more strongly cemented than ever. The anecdote is of
doubtful origin, but it is an admirable illustration both of the
character of Marlborough and Eugene.

_Letters from Italy: and The Alps and the Rhine. By J.
T. Headley. New and Revised Edition. New York: Baker &
Scribner. 1 vol. 12mo._

We believe that these were Mr. Headley's first productions, and were
originally published in Wiley & Putnam's Library. The present edition
has a preface, devoted to the consideration of the new aspect Italy
has assumed since the book was written, and a very judicious
flagellation is given to that arch traitor and renegade, Charles
Albert, King of Sardinia, whom events have transformed from a
trickster and tyrant into a patriot leader. We agree with Mr. Headley
in thinking that the Italians are more likely to be endangered than
benefitted by his position at the head of their armies.

"The Alps and the Rhine" is, in our opinion, Mr. Headley's most
agreeable work. The descript