In Rome itself it has a steady sale.

The general reader, however, was not wrong in thinking that these eloquent pages are below the level of Froude at his best.

There is a hard metallic glitter in the style, and a forced comparison of ancient with modern things not really parallel, which make the whole narrative artificial and unreal.

Lord Dufferin said, with his natural acuteness, "It is interesting, and forcibly written, but one feels he is not a safe guide.

As they say of the mansions of Ireland, 'they are always within a hundred yards of the best situation,' so one feels that Froude is never quite in the bull's- eye in the view he gives."* -- * Lyall's Life of Dufferin, vol.ii.p.