THE BRITISH ISLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 4

THE BRITISH ISLES

A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY " Outlines of the History of the British Isles.” By F. J. C. Hearnshaw, M.A., LL.D., Litt.D. With Maps. London: Harrap. 19s 6d. If the question were put to him the average man would have no hesitation in claiming to a knowledge of what is denoted by the term the British Isles. But no two authorities, says Dr Hearnshaw. are'agreed as to how many islands there are. ' He puts the number at “round about five thousand,” a very surprising total, but of them only a few play a part in his new historical work,. notably the Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight. And, although in the fourth century, &C., when the Meriterranean world first became aware of the British Isles, they were regarded as a unit, Dr Hearnshaw’s task has been concerned with the differences rather than the similarities among them. He claims to be the first historian to take the subject as a whole, paying equal attention to all the four main parts—Eng-, land, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales—as he develops their story, and he has been repaid for his study:

I have found it fascinating to compare the different physical backgrounds. or “geographical controls," of the four regions; to note the racial and other contrasts,,among their inhabitants; to observe the varieties of their reactions to Roman, Saxon, Danish, and Norman invaders; to trace the markedly multiform effects '■ upon them of such movements as the Crusaders, the Reformation, the Great Rebellion, and the “Glorious Revolution.” For, after all, they were subjected to much the same influences, and not infrequently their fates were at critical moments determined by the same men. One of the most Interesting impressions to be gained from this novel view of British history is the varying character and achievement of the actors, according to whether they are viewed by English, Welsh, Scottish, or Irish eyes. And* an especially interesting sidelight is the frequency with which a king ruling from England has given better satisfaction or written a better record beyond the borders of his home country, John was wise and efficient in Ireland, but wrongheaded in England, Edward II was popular in Wales but detested in his English kingdom. Henry 111 was strong and right in his Scottish policies. As this history, which commences in the prehistoric ages and continues to the Great War and the establishment of the Irish Free State progresses, the disposition of the peoples of the British Isles to come together strengthens steadily. Ireland, which alone has never given a monarch to England has strongly resisted co-ordination. But Dr Hearnshaw declares that the twentieth century has witnessed a , tendency ■ towards disintegration, due'to “a novel inflammation of the passion of nationalism?’ Such a work as this, learned, objective, balanced, might well be studied by the disintegrative elements, for it illustrates historically the age-old axiom that strength lies in unity; and not strength only, but justice, equal opportunity, peace, and' progress. This book, while its first interest will be for students and , teachers, is one in which the general reader can find great satisfaction and education. It is illustrated with excellent maps, showing the zones of influence in the British Isles at important periods in their history, and contains a selective bibliography and adequate index. A. L. F.