THE SCEPTRED ISLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21988, 24 June 1933, Page 4

THE SCEPTRED ISLE

GENERAL SEELY’S CALL TO PATRIOTS "For Ever England.” By J. E. B. Seely, C. 8., C.M.G., D.S.O. London: Hodder and Stoughton. (12s Cd net.) It is no disparagement of General Seely’s “For Ever England” to say that he is an optimist. Rather, indeed, Js it a reflection on the faith of the Briton if, reading this book, he makes that comment as an indictment of the author S viewpoint. General Seely’s purpose is clear-cut, his pursuit of it resolute and unwavering. “In this book,’ he says, “I attempt to show the essential nobility of the English character, but especially, as it seems to me, its refusal at desperate moments ever to despair. There is a simplicity about the character of the English which is a danger, but also a glory. There is no self-depreciation, no mock humility, about this work, for General Seely wishes to inspii’e the English—particularly the younger generation —with an unquestioning belief in their own importance—to the Empire and to the world. He apprehends, and perhaps not wrongly, that the attitude of mockery or modesty, which is the traditional reaction of the Englishman to his achievements and his country’s glory, it likely, if too sedulously affected at the present time, to produce a harmful effect upon English character. While this good-natured pose was formerly the shield concealing an inner conviction that Great Britain and the British were the people, it is certainly possible that the pessimist now really believes what he savs when he declares that England is “down and out.” It is a dangerous and insidious frame of mind if, as General Seely fears, it doeg exist, and his “ For Ever England ” will serve a good purpose if it re-establishes in the hearts of the waverers confidence and a firm belief in the future of the race. . General Seely is no mere jingoist. Hs does not claim that the English are' a chosen people, that they can do no wrong, or have a monopoly of the virtues on which great nations rely for their strength. He does, however, believe that in certain qualities the Englishman excels. These were stated by Signor Mussolini in a conversation with the author; “The English are a wonderful people; they have the three great Roman virtues with some Christian virtues added, the three great Roman virtues "of self-control, selfdiscipline, and self-respect.” These are, as he suggests, virtues that make, for national unity and progress. The foreigner may not always detect their 1 presence. He could be deceived by such apparent symptoms of disunion as the general strike, but it would be well for him to remember that this unprecedented upheaval was overcome by co-operation equally unprecedented (except, perhaps, in war). Moreover, although the strikers were bitter, the huge stoppage was conducted, as were the efforts which overcame it, with orderliness and good humour. General Seely illustrates the points he makes in his book with a variety of cheerful., often inspiring, anecdotes relating to his own experiences. He is an excellent raconteur —that, perhaps, is where his genial qualities and robust common sense are best shown—and his book is worth reading for its tales alone. It is to be hoped that it will appear in a cheaper edition, when it would make an excellent gift for the boys to whom it is dedicated. The Author Major-general the Right Hon. John Edward Bernard' Seely, C. 8., C.M.G., P.C., etc., was born in 1868, the youngest son of Sir Charles Seely, Bart, the colliery owner, and educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was called to the Bar in 1897, and served with the Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer War. Meanwhile he had entered politics as a Liberal, and prior to the Great War was Under-secretary for the Colonies, Under-secretary for War, and Secretary for War in successive Ministries. During the war he saw distiguished service in France, and in 1919 he became President of the Air Council. He is an active member of a lifeboat crew, being the only Privy Councillor to serve in this capacity. He has been twice married, his present wife being a daughter of the first Viscount Blibank, His elevation to the peerage was announced this month in the King’s Birthday Honours list. . J. M.