Keynes's earliest publication, apart from a few brief reports of Cambridge Union debates in The Cambridge Review, was a review of volume vn of The Cambridge Modern History.

From The Cambridge Review, 5 November 1903

THE CAMBRIDGE MODERN HISTORY

The seventh volume of the Cambridge Modern History differs somewhat from the general scheme of the series in the fact that it comprises what is to all intents and purposes the history of a single nation. The history of Canada is pursued up till 1761, but, apart from the introduction of two chapters dealing with this subject, the volume follows without intermission the history of the United States from the first foundation of the colonies up to the year 1902, the period of independence being treated mainly by American writers, the earlier chapters by English. Not unnaturally, perhaps it is the latter half that proves to be of the greater interest. Apart from a most admirable chapter by Miss Mary Bateson on the French in America, the earlier writers have not succeeded in presenting more than a clear and accurate narrative of events or in giving a very fresh presentment of what is, perhaps, a somewhat well worn theme; but from the Declaration of Independence onwards the treatment could scarcely have been better.

Mr Doyle gives a clear and succinct account of the early history of the British Colonies, but their foundation was altogether devoid of the glamour and the romance that makes Miss Bateson's account of The French in Canada one of the most fascinating in the volume.