in, ena or Exctane—BY M8, Sri' Deinkwater. London? Hodder Stoughton. a 'A character study of great interest which differs in some aspects [from the canclasions which several fof those who have dealt with the life and character of King Charles]
I-Dave drawn. A
morality of that seems To many aloe Ladi fave determined them that he bad few if any good qualities an thave denied him the qualities of amiability, friendliness, sense of irratitude, the desire to foster talent and learning, which the author ints on, And he makes out a very strong case for his views.
The training King Charles had in his youth, the vicissitudes he underwent in the Civil War, the poverty endured in exile, the treatment he received during that exile—alh were factors in building up his character, And it must be remem-thered that these experiences of the war and exile were undergone when the King was still a young man—he was but 20 when "the crowning! mercy" of Worcester put a final jond to Royalist hopes.
In trenchant language the author deals with the periods of the exile, restoration and rule of King Char-He tells of the King's ling courage at the blows of misfortune and his ability to retain the loyalty and friendship of such men as Clarendon and Ormonde, The events of those years are ably depicted as also the attempts to regain the throne through the aid fof the Covenanters in Scotland. History has sometimes regarded the ill-starred adventure of Mon-rose as a betrayal, but the views fof the author incline one to be-Tieve that no blame attaches to Charles in Montrose's death.
One of the outstanding features: of the' book is the masterly way in which the events leading up to the Restoration and the part, played in them by Monk (Earl of Albemarle) are dealt with, On the death of 'Cromwell the form of government instituted by him naturally suffered shock, and. there followed dissensions' between the Parliament land the Army. No suitable success sor to Cromwell could be found, and chaos more or less reigned. This was Monk's opportunity, and with infinite skill he handled the situation. Telling his intentions to no lone, inscrutable as the sphinx, he held the key to the situation on his arrival in London at the head of army. With the one desire as a true patriot to ensure a settled government, ko waited on events till he saw that the only way out was to have a King. He made his views known, and the Restoration was assured.
The author does not palliate the atrocities committed on the regicidi nor the indignities offered to body of Cromwell, but he d out that the ideas of the times differed greatly from those of to-day, and it is pleasing to think that King Charles had no liking for them, and that with the feeling engendered sat the Restoration he would have been powerless to prevent them.
Of not Jess interest is the history of King Charles' reign, In the beinning the ability and skill of Clarendon who had been made Chaneller of the Exchequer slowly pulled affairs into shape. It was a mis. fortune that as the years rolled on the King and Clarendon drifted apart. The bond which had united them in exile did not endure when the situation changed. The author rather insists that this was the fault of Clarendon who could not appreciate the King's nature, but -|he makes no excuses for the Kin treatment of Clarendon after his fears of loyal and successful ser-ce. Sturdy champion of King Charles as he is, he cannot but say that this is a Blot on the latter's memory.
The experiences the King had been through in his early days stood jin good stead when he lost Cla don and had Ministers of but ferent calibre to rely on, His knowledge of men enabled bini to steer with skill through difficult situ tions, A Stuart he was, with the inherited traditions of the divine right of Kings, but he was astute enough to appreciate the events which culminated in the death of his father. -He never failed to realize that he was a constitutional monarch, and once when his James advised a too patent al
ati he wanted to go on his travels be wan free to choate But that for himself he was too old."
The author does nat offer any exenses"for the King's smmoralty Scpond thet the peed was one of But it would seem that towards nia Queen King Chavies did. what Gould. note fo agesavate a thoroughly false "position, The] tides contered on the sons Imistressee are Instructive who one thinks that some of those titled are! stil] shown in the peerage of the United Kingdom, 'A really excellent book snd one to be recommended, and as it is published in the People's Libtary at rvery' moderate price one, well itn in seem of al teen Sent to tain an anctrate how. ledge of the History of thei coun: try. It is written in a style which/ ferias sbyitrement of, that Tow: Tedge a pleasure rather than" the feretgery nich the exsmoerstion of ies cod figures of Materiel ner. rate op che estate
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.