LITERARY COLUMN.

NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS. '•Imperialism : A Study." By J. A. Hobsou. London: James Nisbet and Co. (Limited), 21, Jierners-street. A large book like this, dealing ably, thoughttullv. and calmly with one of the gieatest and most complex problems of national and international concern, is not one to be adequately dealt with in a brief newspaper review. Some of the chapters have already appeared in leading English reviews. He-arranged, revised, and preaemed as they are in this volume, the arguments set forth in the most forcible manner, the whole forms a tiemendous indictment of what the author understands by "Imperialism." Iv the first part, to quote from the preface, "the economic origins of Imperialism are traced, with such statistical measurements of its methods and results us arc available." The second part "investigates the theory and practice of Imperialism regarded as a. mission of civilisation, in it.s effects upon 'lower' or alien peoples, and its political and moral reactions iipon the conduct and character of the Western nations engaging in it." From all points our author's view is adverse. His statis- • tics, showing the economic results oi a vigorous foreign policy — his facts, niarbballed in the second section — are not such as statesmen and politicians can afiord to ignore. The epithet of "LittieEuglander," the opprobrious cry of "proBoer," may obscure the issues, but cannot confute his- facts. Unfortunately, too, in this colony, we have fseen the /seamy side of so-called ''patriotism," and can confirm from actual experience much of what we find herein set forth. Imperialism, .says Mr. Hobson, is a perversion of I\ ationalism, "in which nations trespassing beyond the limits of facile assimilation transform the wholesome stimulative -rivalry of varied national, types into the cut-throat struggle of competing empires." It is well to bear this definition in mind, as it indicates the spirit and the tendency against which his arguments are directed. Economically, he maintains that he has demonstrated that "our modern imperialist^ policy has had no appreciable influence whatever upon the determination of our external trade." "Of the trade with BVitish possessions," he says, "the tropical trade, and in particular the trade with the new tropical possessions, is the smallest, least progressive, and most fluctuating in quantity, while it is lowest in the character of the goods which it embraces." "The new Empire its even more barren for settlement than for profitable trade." The new Imperialism, he maintains, is practically synonymous with protection, and he sets forth forcibly the vast injury to British trade and 1 the international friction, thereby engendered — matters of which our cable messages from day to day afford sufficient confirmation. As to the moral aspect, he quotes a political economist, Loria (Economic Foundations of Society)} who plainly asks, "And why» indeed, are wars undertaken, if not to conquer colonies which permit the employment of fresh capital, t) acquire commercial monopolies, or to obtain the exclusive use of certain highAvays of commerce?" Space will not permit us to follow his condemnation of militarism — we know a little of it here — or his powerful arraignment of Imperialism in its moral, social, and international aspects ; but we may quote the final sentence, in which the results of his arguments and investigations are expressed :—: — "Imperialism is a depraved choice of national life, imposed by self-seeking interests which appeal to the lusts of quantitative acquisitiveness and of forceful domination surviving in a nation from early centuries of animal struggle for existence. Its adoption as a policy implies a deliberate renunciation of that cultivation of the higher inner qualities which for a nation as for an individual constitute the ascendancy of reason over brute imjmlse. It is the besetting sin of all successful States, and its penalty ia unalterable ' in the order of nature." I Is* this "study," conscientious as it appears to be, adequate? Is the spirit of the writer judicial? Are there no good points in Imperialism? — for he admits " absolutely none. True, there is much to justify his attitude. Here in the colonies — in cur Houses of Parliament, in the public titterances of our "statesmen" with their ad captandum appeals to vulgar cupidity, passion, and race-prejudice^ — we have had enough to warrant the strongest expressions in the book. -But, after all, Mr. Hobson fills no judicial position — only the useful but thankless part of devil's advocate. Of such a thing as the higher and wider patriotism — of statesmen influenced by worthier motives than those of aggran-

disement — he seems to have no idea. There are politicians, of course, who do not deem it indecorous to demand quid pro quo in "golden soveieigns," or rather, in monopoly of trade, for blood shed in defence of Empire — but surely such are not authoritative exponents of the national spirit. Mr. Hobson's constructive work is not equal to his critical achievement. He is at a lo«s when he comes to suggestions of a positive kind. " On the principles he has laid down, had they been accepted in the past, Britain would not now have had a single colony. His sense of proportion is dsfective, and he appears to exaggerate enormously the influence of financiers upon the independence of statesmen and of the pi ess. In the face of abundant proof to the contrary he maintains that Britain's ability to colonise is no greater than that of other peoples, aiid that there is no appreciable difference in her methods. Of her tolerance, her marvellous capacity of absorption alii assimilation — her ability tj "Britonige" — he takes no account. And ha is at times credulous in matters telling in his favour, or the palpably absurd footnote on page 373 would never have found admission. Mr. Hobson's book is far from being the "last word" on Imperialism, but as an able analysis of its evil tendencies and abuses — as exposing the dangers besetting a world-power— this volume is a contribution of permanent value. . " The Wayfarers," by J. C. Suaith, London. Ward, Lock and Co. - b- and VV. Mackay, Wellington. /Three or four romances of unusual originality and power have brought Mr. Snaith to the front in the crowd of modern fictionists, and his many admirers will rejoice in this latest addition to the list.- It is a brilliant and audacious piece of work, full of vigour and vitality. The period chosen, though no dates are actually stated, is between 1750 and 1754; the hero is one Lord Tiverton, a scapegrace earl, who narrates the story in the first person, and with admirable verisimilitude. Penniless, the result of reckless play, a fugitive frQm the law— for he has slain a man in a duel— he is about io close his career with the aid of a pistol, when the unexpected arrival of his sweetheart, the' Lady Cynthia, alters his plans, one has fled from home to avoid an obnoxious marriage, and the pair, in mean disguise, take ,to the road, are privately married, and with a capital of eleven pence enter upon a vagrant life of adventure, enduring no little hardship and humiliation, including even the indignity of ' the stocks, and consorting of necessity with gypsies and outcasts. One historic character is introduced — we have , a vivid characterization of the, genial and erratic Henry Fielding, and the episode ' in the Justice's house where the novelist, having made his host very drunk, procures th 6 legal release of eight gypsies whom the local Dogberry had intended to' consign to the gallows for suspected sheep stealing, is one of the best in a book crowded with incident and marked by fine .portrayal of character. Mr. F. H. Townsend contributes two really admirable illustrations. "A Mighty Empire." By J. Swindells Barlow, i<ondon. Ward, Lock and ■ Co. S. W. Mackay and Co., Wellington. Those who are acquainted with "Helen's Babies" will remember that the first essential iof a story, in the opinion of Toddie, was that it should be sufficiently "bluggy." Judged by the primitive standard of this cherubic infant, Mr. Barlow's narrative should satisfy the most exacting. It is not a, book for boys or girls, for it would induce hideous nightmares, nor can we find much to recommend it to more mature readers. The title gives no idea of the theme — indeed, it is only on the final page that we come to the "application." The chief character is one Papadaka, a kind of Dr. Nikola only uglier 'and more fiendish, whose superhuman power has a trick 'of failing him when most required. He is a quest of, the "girdle of Isis, which confers universal dominion on the holder— if he be descended from the Pharaohs— and success to his enterprises in any case. It is in three sections, concealed in remote parts of the earth ; these are toibe found and' united, and only by treachery, magic, and wholesale murder can this result be achieved. A new light is thrown on history by our author; for it appears that Alexander's successes were owing to the possession of a piece of the girdle; the invincible Vikings held it for a time until Alfred secured it, Napoleon bought it in Corsica, but lost it at Moscow; and another portion, in the possession of the M-ahdi, enabled him to defy the power of Britain until Papadaka arrived and stole it. The party violate the sacred recesses of pyramids and temples in Egypt and Central America, thereby arousing the wrath of the "gods" to such a pitch that whole avenues of colossal statues fall and mighty temples crumble to dust. But this tremendous wrath is. impotent after all, for though "the images are smashed the infringers of the "tapu" escape with nothing worse than shaken nerves. This taiWe of magic, mythology, and modern history— this solving of difficulties by talismans and incantations— indicates imagination of 1 a sort; but betrays weakness rather than strength on the part of a novelist. In the final chapter, the supernatural machinery having been removed, the stage is left clear for an episode of human interest, and we have a genuinely feminine act of renunciation— love triumphing over ambition. "Your life " says the heroine, "is more to me than the pomp and power of thrones. The Mightiest Jiinpire in the world is Love." " The Intrusions, of Peggy." By Anthony Hope, London. George Bell and oons. In his latest book Mr. Hope relies less on incident than on subtle studies of character, which are developed with his well-known skill. There are vicis situdes of fortune, and the principals are found equal to She occasion, emerging from their trials all the better for the experiences through which they have passed. The author has a wide circle of admirers, and they are not likely to be disappointed as they follow the history of the pretty young widow, Trix Trevalla, through the maze of perplexi ties m which she finds herself placed ■