Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/668

 658 Reviews of Books intimation given in the preface, the treatment of the theme is by " trans- verse sections rather than by longitudinal fibers ". An inspection of the table of contents would imply that this means a grouping of chapters according to time, place, institutions, individuals, and episodes, in all of which the historical sequence is not always clear. On the whole the volume is superior to its predecessor. The sense of proportion is better developed, and the transatlantic environment of the narrative affords a more adequate understanding of the truth that the colonies in North America, during the seventeenth century at least, were an expansion of certain European countries rather than the germ of future independent states on the soil of the New World. The maps, also, maintain their excellence, and the illustrations show distinct im- provement in their quality. If the maps, indeed, continue throughout the series to preserve their present high standard of workmanship and usefulness, their publication in a separate volume would perform a real service to the students of American history. The defects of the book are mainly stylistic and constructional, al- though misinterpretations and actual errors are not lacking. On these points the reviewer is loath to descant at length. Not only have many of them been cited in critical notices already published, but the truc- ulent manner in which Dr. Avery in his preface bids defiance to the " professed student " of history is quite too intimidating. With malice toward persons whose " analytic and microbic Research immensely over- shadows [their] co-ordinating activity ", and with charity for all that much-abused community, the " general public ", the author does not descend into " abysmal notes, overladen with trivial details, and told with such portentous long-windedness that only professional students, examinees, schoolmasters and their pupils really master them ". In- stead he draws them from the abyss, and, converting them into oracular opinions uttered by Professor This and Doctor That, pushes them into the text itself. One might venture a doubt, perhaps, whether the " general public " is so familiar with the literature of the subject that a mental salaam to the ipse dixits of the worthy scholars in question will be a necessary result. When the thread of the story is single. Dr. Avery spins it smoothly. As its strands multiply and tighten, he is apt to let them run forward and backward until they leave the wheel and tangle themselves up in such a mesh as the treatment of the history of Massachusetts. At other times when the historical processes grow complex, and dramatic possi- bilities emerge, he marshals his metaphors in a manner truly imposing. Speaking of the growth of Separatism in England, Dr. Avery exclaims (p. 94) : " These were days of quickening life. An English Bible and the Lollard leaven prepared the way for a revolt against the papacy. Luther sprang up in Germany, a moral volcano that shot its glare across western Europe and aroused its people to a new activity. Aided by an amorous eruption on the throne, England cut loose from Rome and snatched her crown from the shadow of the tiara." It seems hardly