and have a common culture should be organized as independent states, with national boundaries and with a national consciousness. Dr. Rose's interesting and thought-provoking volume considers the birth and growth of national feeling and spirit among the European states. We may regret, with him, that this country, with its peculiar problems, was by force of circumstance excluded from similar treatment. The book is a reprint of a series of lectures, eight having been delivered at the University of Cambridge, the others before English Historical Associations. Since by far the larger portion thus form a course for specializing students, the method is historical, the line of argument inductive. The manifestations of national awakenings, under various unifying forces, in France, Germany, Spain, Russia and the Balkan States, are explained at some length; then "nationality," as a conscious, definite movement, is analyzed and commented upon. The term "nationalism," which seems to come easier to the American tongue, is anathema to Dr. Rose, who confines it to "the intolerant and agressive instinct which has of late developed in Germany and the Balkan States." In turning these pages, one is impressed with the author's wide reading, with the array of significant facts he has marshaled, still more with the penetration with which he sees the cause, the reason behind the event; one is charmed by the smooth easy flow, the graceful touch, the instinctive feeling for the finely-turned phrase so characteristic of the English scholar. Lecture VI, on the awakening of the Slavs, is especially good. The theories here developed have been handled before by Dr. Rose, notably in his Development of European Nations, and in certain chapters of the Cambridge Modern History.

But, with all due respect to his scholarship, it must be said. that the temptation which besets all lecturers, and, salva reverentia, university professors, to strain a point to make a point, proves occasionally too strong for his power of resistance. For instance, in spite of Mazzini and the "Young Italy" movement, the unification of Italy was wrought designedly in the interest of Piedmontese supremacy; why else should Cavour have said that, Italy once created, it remained to create Italians. Dr. Rose admits, or declares, at the close of Lecture V. that the Italian monarchy of today is "largely the outcome of Cavour's masterly statecraft." Yet the tone of the whole lecture certainly gives the impression that unified Italy was achieved by a spontaneous outburst of national spirit which would not be denied. Again, the preface expresses the hope that the

treatment of questions arising out of the present conflict is as impartial and objective as "conditions" permit. The last clause perhaps is the saving one; certainly, it is highly improbable that Dr. Rose would have written in 1910, as he has written in 1916, at least in his selection of adjectives and adverbs. Lastly, in the concluding lecture on "Internationalism," the redistribution of Europe might not unjustly be called dogmatic, the unqualified future tenses rather premature; while, considering that it was addressed to an audience in Bristol, the exhortation to every Briton to do his duty that the "ghastly fiasco of a stale-mate" may be averted, arouses the suspicion that perhaps the entrance to the recruiting office was not far distant from the exit of the lecture-hall.

MORE WANDERINGS IN LONDON.

By E. V. Lucas. New

York: George H. Doran Co. $2.00 net.

This book is a companion volume to A Wanderer in London which we read some ten years ago with a great deal of pleasure. Like its predecessor it is a guide-book of the better sort, written by a man of taste, who knows every corner and nook of London. This volume deals with the pictures of the Guildhall Gallery, typical churches such as St. Lawrence, St. Magnus, St. Giles, St. Ethelreda and St. Albans.

FAITH IN A FUTURE LIFE. By Alfred W. Martin. New York: D. Appleton & Co. $1.50 net.

After falsely defining dogmatism as affirmation without valid evidence, and asserting his utter freedom from all authority natural or supernatural, Mr. Martin proceeds to dogmatize in the crudest fashion upon matters of which he is profoundly ignorant. With a wave of the hand he denies the Divinity of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection, and sets aside every argument for immortality that Christians have ever used. He falsely holds "that the sole basis for faith in a future life is to be found in the moral nature of man, in a moral experience which every human being may have." Of course as an Ethical Culturist he rejects the Christian conception of heaven and hell, looks upon theosophy as an improvement upon orthodox Christianity, considers St. Paul's teaching on immortality demoralizing, rejects our Saviour's Gospel about future rewards and punishments as immoral, and favors his readers with the usual tirade against Catholicism, which he terms a "trading upon the hopes and fears of its subjects."

THE SYRIAN CHRIST. By Abraham Mitrie Rihbany. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. $1.50 net.

The purpose of this volume, as the author tells us, is to give the Oriental background of certain Scriptural passages, whose correct understanding depends upon knowledge of their original environment. As a Syrian born, Mr. Rihbany tries to throw light upon many strange Eastern customs and modes of speech. He has many interesting chapters on speaking in parables, swearing, imprecations, family feasts, the treatment of guests, the market place, the housetop, the vineyard and the shepherds. The writer came to this country a penniless immigrant, and lost his faith in Protestant surroundings. He is a champion of "undogmatic" Christianity, and gives forth some undigested statements about the simple faith of Christ being changed into an authoritative creed by ambitious ecclesiastics and politicians.

BRIEF DISCOURSES ON THE GOSPEL. By Rev. Philibert Seebock, O.F.M. Translated by E. Leahy. New York: Frederick Pustet & Co. $1.25.

We recommend to our readers these brief sermons of the wellknown German Franciscan, Father Seebock, for all Sundays and Festivals of the year. They are simple, practical and devout talks, affording good spiritual reading for the people, and offering suggestions to priests for new sermon material.

THE MANUAL OF NATURAL EDUCATION. By Winifred Sackville Stoner. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Co. $1.00

net.

In this volume Mrs. Stoner sets forth the principles and methods of Natural Education, which obtained considerable vogue through the publication of her work on this subject a few years ago. The author makes some valuable suggestions regarding the teaching of reading, spelling, geography, history, and other branches; and describes the use of natural educational tools. One chapter deals with character building, but the one thing essential, religion, is absolutely ignored. Her ten commandments reveal something of her methods: "Never give corporal punishment; never scold; never say don't; never say must; never allow a child to say 'I can't;' never refuse to answer a child's question; never frighten a child; never ridicule or tease a child; never allow a child to lose self-respect or respect for its parents; never banish fairies from home."

THE FAIRY BRIDE. A Play in Three Acts. By Norreys Jephson O'Conor. New York: John Lane & Co. $1.00 net.

This is a drama, preferably for juvenile actors, built around the ancient Celtic legends of a king blemished by witchcraft and the visit of a mortal pilgrim to the World of Fairy. It treats much the same theme as the author's earlier poem, Beside the Blackwater, and the present work-composed partly in prose and partly in verse —would be an interesting novelty for performance by High Schools or amateur stage societies. The cast, while preferably mixed, could be interpreted by girls alone; and the volume is well provided with incidental music and suggestions for costuming and staging.

THE CHEVALIER DE BOUFFLERS.

By Nesta H. Webster.

New York: E. P. Dutton & Co. $4.00 net.

This memorial of the lives of the Chevalier de Boufflers and Madame de Sabran is neither a necessary nor a welcome product, written as it is for the purpose of exploiting and sentimentalizing over a connection maintained for years in defiance of both religious and civil law. In resuscitating this material no new light is thrown upon the history of the period; the interest is wholly personal; and although the author has handled her theme with delicacy her treatment does not make it worthy, nor save the book from a pernicious quality already too plentiful.

THE THIRTEENTH COMMANDMENT. By Rupert Hughes. New York: Harper & Brothers. $1.40 net.

"Thou shalt not spend all thou earnest," is Mr. Hughes' Thirteenth Commandment-“ a most unlucky one to break." Demonstrated in action, an impressive fictional sermon might undoubtedly be preached from this text, and the early part of the book offers the hope that we are to find it here; but the author has expressed himself too impulsively and diffusively. He has virtually written two novels, and in making them one he has deprived each of its full effectiveness: and his quick, observant brain has led him off upon many bypaths. There is no central point of interest, though the material is not lacking. A highly dramatic incident is introduced when Leila, the heartlessly extravagant wife, fearing a return to comparative poverty, cajoles her husband into establishing, for financial advantage, friendly relations with a man to whom he has forbidden the house. This situation is strong and significant enough to have borne the whole burden of the author's intention,

but he dismisses it with the remark that many similar scenes are being enacted all over the world, and proceeds to overcrowd his work with incidents only mechanically connected and with reflections and comments upon a multitude of subjects. It is all worth saying and said well: points are driven home with disconcerting sharpness, as for instance: "All America, indeed, was in a curious mood of horror at the slaughter and dread of its cessation." Such cleverness makes it matter of regret that Mr. Hughes' lavishness should result in so confusing and leveling the values that a definite, lingering impression is rendered impossible.

FROM CONVENT TO CONFLICT. By Sister M. Antonia. Baltimore: John Murphy Co. $1.00.

This account of the invasion of Belgium, by one of the nuns of the Convent of the Filles de Marie, Willebroeck, is written with a purpose best explained in the author's words: "Any profits derived from its favorable reception by the reading public or the charitably inclined are to be devoted to the reconstruction and repair of our school and convent, damaged during the engagement at the Fortress of Willebroeck, or for the establishment of a sewing school, with a lace-making department, for young women in America or England, as our Reverend Superiors may decide." The piteous story is told with attractive simplicity and directness, and the Sister maintains a tone of charitableness during even the most harrowing parts of her tale. Those who buy the book with a view to aid its purpose will find themselves rewarded by its interest.

THE BEST SHORT STORIES OF 1915. Edited by Edward J. O'Brien. Boston: Small, Maynard & Co. $1.50 net.

This volume contains twenty "best short stories" selected by Mr. O'Brien from forty-six American periodicals. In a brief Introduction he gives a good estimate of the year's achievement in the short story, and maintains rightly that American writers easily excel in this literary form. In an Appendix we find an Index of Short Stories for 1914 and 1915, marked by one, two or three asterisks according to the editor's estimate of their value. No two critics would agree about the relative worth of the twenty-two hundred stories judged by Mr. O'Brien, but everyone will admit that he is an expert in selecting stories distinctive for both substance and form. We look forward with pleasure to his Best Short Stories of 1916.