by artistic productiveness of any kind.  The German writer Schmidt-Weiszenfels in the same year issued a work with the pretentious title, “History of the Revolution-Literature of France."[F] This is little more than a declamatory production, wanting in what is most characteristic of the German mind, original research.  The “Literary History of the National Convention,” [G] by E. Maron, is devoted more to politics than to letters.

[Footnote E:  Histoire de la Litterature Francaise, depuis ses Origines jusqu’a la Revolution.  Par Eugene Gerusez.  Paris:  Didier et Cie. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 488, 507.]

[Footnote F:  Geschichte der Franzoesischen Revolutions-Literatur, 1789-1795.  Von Schmidt-Weiszenfels.  Prague:  Kober und Markgraf. 8vo. pp. 395.]

[Footnote G:  Histoire Litteraire de la Convention Nationale.  Par Eugene Maron.  Paris:  Poulet-Malassis et De Boise. 12mo. pp. 359.]

To return to the volumes of M. Gerusez.  It is rather a sign of poverty in general literary history, that detached sketches, with little connection beyond their chronological order, should have been deemed worthy of the prize and the praises awarded to them.  However, though lacking in comprehensive views such as we have a right to expect from an author who attempts to portray the rise, growth, and full expansion of a literature, the work of M. Gerusez may be perused with pleasure and profit by the student.  It is clear and satisfactory in the details.  Thus, the pages devoted to the writers of the “Encyclopedie,” though few, may vie with any that have been written to set in their true light men whose influence was so great on the generation that succeeded them.  If impartiality consisted in always steering in the juste-milieu, M. Gerusez would be the most impartial of historians.  As it is, we have to thank him for a good book, regretting only that he has gone no farther.

Far otherwise is it with M. Saint-Marc Girardin.  The eloquent Sorbonne professor has seen his fame increase with every new volume of his “Course of Dramatic Literature.”  We have now the fourth volume.[H] “A Course of Dramatic Literature";—­it is more.  It is the history of the expression of Passion among the ancients and the moderns, by no means confined to the drama.  The present volume, as well as the third, published several years ago, is devoted to the analysis of Love as expressed in different ages and by different nations, under the two divisions of L’Amour Ingenu and L’Amour Conjugal.

[Footnote H:  Cours de Litterature Dramatique. Par Saint-Marc Girardin, de l’Academie Francaise, Professeur a la Faculte des Lettres de Paris, Membre du Conseil Imperial de l’Instruction Publique.  Tome IV.  Paris:  Charpentier.]