CURRENT _LITERATURE.
Mr. Richardson Evans gives in the current number of the Westminster Review a valuable summary of what has been done by his Society—that for checking the abuses of public advertising —to abate that ubiquitous nuisance. After describing the machinery available in the various societies now existing in London, Mr. Evans passes to analyse the general conditions of the problem, tho motive forces at work, and the prospect of amelioration, contending with great force and cogency that " aspect " is an asset in the national wealth for which the State should be solicitous. He points out that it was not until the present generation that scenery and outlook needed protection, and after fairly stating the laissez-faire attitude of the man of the world, brings a formidable battery of arguments to bear on that position. We hold entirely with Mr. Evans when he says :—" At the root of the erroneous theory of popular taste is the idea that people consent to anything that they are powerless to prevent. Our working classes are happily a law- abiding people. But if the objects which assail the vision along frequented paths were once for all put outside the protection of the criminal code, few of them would survive the resent- ment of the passing traveller. A volunteer company for the annihilation of these ruthless invaders could be formed at every rural place of pleasure resort. Wherever cyclists or cheap excursionists go, the enemy is on their track. But it is a refinement of injustice to charge the victim with respon- sibility for the crime. As well might it be said that in- dividuals who get into a crowd are in favour of the pickpockets." We are pleased to learn that at Rhyl a license was refused to a theatre on the pier for the simple reason that the manager had used the outside for a soap advertisement.
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