NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13159, 4 July 1908, Page 7

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Under the title of "National an<? Social Prohlems," Sir Frederic Harrison has collected and re-edited a number of hi« «**aj» en T*rioTis querrions. national or eocial. It is a logical con timiation of his previous volumes—"Thr Creed of a Layman," in which, he traced the growth of his religious conchisions, and "The Philosophy of Common Sense," in which he dealt with *h» intellectual ground* on wbici: v human religion must lm basod. The

present volume is, to our mind, the most interesting, of the three, because it snows'the practical application of the abstract philosophy in tho prooodiug volumes to the concrete problems of the day. Although tho essays hero collected extend over a period of forty years, they haro by no means grown obsolete or lost their interest, and Mr Harrison is able to state,'with some degree of justifiable pride, that he has found almost nothing to qualify in ihe judgment which ho passed at the ti'uo on the great ovonts and tho dominant personalities of tho nineteenth contwy. The first part, "National Problems." deals with tho Franco-German war, the making of Italy, Afghanistan, Egypt, the Boer uar, etc. It is hardly necessary to explain that Mr Harrison is r.n anti-Imperialist. He -was a prominent merabw of the Anti-Aggression League formed by Herbert Spencer and otbors during the second Ministry of Mr Gladstone, , to protest against tho policy underlying the Zulu and Transvaal van, the Borneo annexation, and other expeddtion.*. One of his papers consists of a speech which he delivered against British intervention in Egypt in 1&32. Apparently he had not. rend Lord Cromcr's great work when tho present volume wa.? issued, or he woskl have scon bow strenuously John B;;ll tried to shirk the white man's burden in Egypt, nnd how fate insisted <>n fastening it on his reluctant and chafing r-honldors Mr Harrison was one of thr* most strenuous opponents of tho last Boor war. Tho secord pirt of the book is occupied with questions of Labour, Unionism, and Socialism. In dealing with these Mr Harrison writes not as a mere theorist, but as one who, from the time he was nssocriated with F. l>. Maurice, Tom Hughes, -uid Ruskin. and others at tho Working Monv- College in 18G0, has been brought into intimate touch with tho workii■- rrlnsspss, and the practical operations of social and industrial forces. He wa.-, one of the first to realise the limitations cf political economy. While lie has a warm sympathy with the aspirations which iiTid'-rli** the theories of the b»>st typo of Socialists, no one sees more clearly than ho does how completely !nrd nationalisation or tho socialist:-■ r> of the avenues of production would fail to afford a practical solution of the ovile of our present industrial system. He pins his faith to Comte's two correlative laws:—(1) Wealth is the product of society, and must be devoted to tho interests of the social whole. (2) Moral evils can only be cured by moral and not by material agencies. Many who are not T>ror>aroc! to !?"- ligion of Humanity" will agree that in these laws Comte has stated what is renlly the kernel, if not tho conclusion, of tho whole matter. For tho rest, Mr Harrison's delightful literary style and philo.S'cpliio snirit wiill afford keen pleasure to thoughtful students of , the social and political questions of the day. (London: Macmlllan and Co., Ltd. 7s 6d net.)

In "Mr Crewe's Career" Mr Winston Church ill gives a vivid and instructive picture f American political life of the present tiny. It is an excellent pendant to ■"Coniston." inasmuch as i* deals with tho same kind of people and tho same kind of events, but depicts a later stage in tho evolution of American politics. Its action centres about thft election of the Governor of a State, and the main feature in the situation is the forceful exposure of the octopus-like grip with which a great railway .is able to seize upon and strangle tho political life of an American community. Austen Vane, the real hero of the book, is a good type of the "clean" young American, with clear head and high moral tone, to Avhom the continent must look for its political salvation, if indeed it is ever to escape from "Bossism" and corruption. There is a wonderful portrait of his father, Hilary Vane, counsel ami rolitical {Vμ- t.h« railway compiny, and of Mr Crewe. the empty, arrogant, self-sufficient millionaire who comes out as a reformer, and on whom the author pours out the bitterest vials of his satire. The political details are so full and convincing that one cannot help thinkini that Mr Churchill's own recent candidature for tho Governorship of New HaTrmhiro must have supplied him with much of his material. A love etory lightens up the sordid realism of the political struggle with a tender touch of romance. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd. 3s 6d and 2s 6d.)

Thft "Three Mies Greenee,", by S. Mnc-Xaughton, shows both originality of conception n-nd skill m cbaracterdrawing and makes a very interesting etory. A Londc-n widower and his tnaxx, daughters take up their abode on a lonely island in the Highlands, where they arc visited by Major Banbury. a London clubman. His surprise is great when the first question put totara by the family is as to who won tie bt. It then appeams that although tnov know little of what goes cm m the world of .politics ami social life, they are keenness itself in their interest regarding racing. The life on the island and the personal traits of this remarkable fami.lv are admirably described, and one cannot help feeling sincere regret when, as a result of Oaptam Greene's betting proclivities, the home is broken np and the girls go to London, where they reside with an aunt, Lndy Parfield. Here the contrast between therr knowledge of books and their ignorance of modern social life with its conventionalities and proprieties is amusingly and, at the same time, pathetically depicted. It is a wholesome, interesting story, told with no little flail. (London: John Murray oKripMv""'-h: Whitcombo and Tombs, Ltd 2s 6d.)

"The Flag," edited by Major H. F. Trippel nnd' 7 published by tho "Daily Maii." for the Union Jack Club, is, wo should think, unique in the history of publishing. The editor not only acted in that capacity without fee or reward, but to save staff expenses becinie his own secretary, advertising manager and canvasser. All contributions were- presented by the authors and artists. Tho whole of tlie paj>er was , given, tho composing, printing and binding wore done at cost price, and l the expense was borne by a benefactor of tho club, tho art contributions were reproduced without ony charge by a i firm of engravers, tho advertisements were- obtained at a minimum of £100 a page and without any payment of commission the great boolwtall # firms paid the ftill price of one shilling a copy, at -trhich it was sold to the public, and several great steamship companies promised free carriage throughout the Empire. Even the title was presented by the owner of tho copvrig&t. When we say that among the literary contributors ere George Meredith, TCudvard Kipling, Sir W. Gilbert, Marie Coretli. W. Pett Eid'go. John Strange Winter, ' andSir A. Conan ar.d that the pictures nre contributed by some of the \:cc-t known black and white artiste of to-day, it will be seen that while the Union Jack Ciub receives tie full benefit of the public's shilling, the public zets very full value for its money. We may acid that "The Flag" is, on sale at the local booksellers'.

The May number of the "International." a magazine published in English, French and German, contains a varied number of articles of interest. A Portucucse revolutionist's orinions on regicide are interesting as illustrating the standpoint of tne revolutionary pnrty. Mr Arnold White writes on "Pitfalls of Army Reform," Lord Morley's Indian reforms are discussed by an Indian, Mr Phillip Snowden ■srritpg* on the Labour Party, and other subjects disousst.'d are the Jews in England, Labour Day, Calendar reform, and "The Xow Ideal of the Church."