THE GROWTH OF THE EMPIRE: A HANDBOOK TO THE HISTORY OF GREATER BRITATN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 51

THE GROWTH OF THE EMPIRE: A HANDBOOK TO THE HISTORY OF GREATER BRITATN.

Arthue W. Jose. Sydnay : Angus and Robertson. Dunedin : James Horsburgh. These are days in which it behoves us to know at least the brief headings of the historical of the Victorian era t the peaceful indifferentism of ignorance sits ill upon even the simplest of us in times whsa every morning briDgs its circling flash of the world's events. To understand the questions of the present, it is imperative that |we know something of the past. In a brilI liantly brief but singularly fascinating I manner the author brings before us the I growth of tbe Empire from the day* ot Elizabeth to the days of our Empress Queen, whom we acclaim as " Mistress of the Seven Seas." The colonisation of the West Indies, Canada, India, Australasia, and Africa are all dealt with in that masterly fashion which memorises for the reader each salient point. | Marginal notes, maps, an appendix, index, aad a list of useful authorities for consultation all combine to render the book a very excellent and complete work for the student; no less than the average reader. Wo cannot refrajn from quoting a sentence or two from, tbe author's prefsca, while afc the same time we may express oar conviction he bag achieved she effect he go modestly desires. " For my own work I make bold to hope this .fate at least — that is may interest the busy man, stimulate the indifferent man, and whet the appetite of the student ; and that every* one who reads it, be he young or old, may feel himself a product and a part of what he reads about — in whose life the faot of the Empire's existence and the methods of its growth have host* and are an important and a determining influence. We are of the race and nation ol the empire builders, and it is our business to understand their building in, order rightly to maintain it."