Quaker Pioneers in Russia. By Jane Benson. (Headley Brothers. 2s.
(3d.)—It would be interesting to speculate on the attraction which the Quakers seem to have had for a Russian Emperor, so emphatically contrasted with all their aspirations and ideas ; it may have been the fascination of the unlike. It is easy enough to understand why the liking should have been reciprocated. No man is too large-minded not to feel flattered by the attentions of an Emperor ; and then there was the charm of unbounded possi- bilities of doing good. Here was a friendly despot, who disposed of difficulties by his simple fiat. Thanks to him, they would be able to start some years in advance of what would be possible to less favoured people ; the pioneering was done for them. Whether there was any real saving in the end is another matter which we are not here called upon to d"..icuss. Let it suffice to say that this book, drawn from letters written at the time, and illustrated by sketehes taken on the spot, has been put togethrr by the daughter of one of the managers of the enterprise—a model farm, it may be called, near St. Petersburg—and that it is well worth reading.
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