A History of England. By Katharine Coman, Ph B., and
Elizabeth K. Kendall, M.A. (Macmillan and Co. 7s. 6d. net.) —Much has to be crowded into a small space, a difficult task, which the writers, two ladies who profess history at Wellesley. College, have accomplished with creditable success. Two points to which they direct special attention are the influence of the- Celtic element and colonisation. All the best authorities have- been consulted (references being duly given). The bibliography is likely to be very useful. We must quote a passage referring to• the War of Independence which is curiously apposite to-day :- " In the American War England was handicapped by the three• thousand miles of sea which lay between her and her rebellious subjects ; moreover, she made the mistake of despising the men_ who opposed her. Furthermore, she was forced to pay the price of her past successes on the Continent. Jealousy of England. was one of the controlling forces of European politics." Absit omen, we must add. But we must remember also (1) that all the British in South Africa are on our side ; (2) that it is we, and not our enemy, who are upholding the cause of liberty and of " no, taxation without representation."
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