17 APRIL 1880, Page 23

Five Years of Minnesota. By Maurice Farrar, M.A. (Sampson Low

and Co.)—Mr. Farrar takes a very gloomy view of the prospects -of British agriculture, too gloomy, we cannot but think, as far as stock raising and keeping is concerned. But whether he is right or wrong in this matter, there can be no doubt that his advice about emigration is quite sound. Take the most favourable view we will of the future -of the British farmer, there can be no doubt that for mealy men, with a small capital wholly insufficient for an average-sized English farm, the United States offer a most advantageous field. Mr. Farrar sets forth the attractions of Minnesota, and makes a very pleasing picture. Nor, as may be seen from the title of his book, was he a mere passing visitor. He spent several years there, and as he -describes himself a "late J.P. for Minnesota," so to speak naturalised himself there. One or two statements have an air of carelessness about them. The English public really knows too much about the relations between the United States Government and the Indians, to put up with any praise of their "humane and benevolent character," even though this praise is modified by the admission that some of

the money intended for the Indians went astray in the hands of the agents by whom it should have been administered. And is it the fact that "in most large cities (except, perhaps, such places as New York and the larger southern cities)," the daily hotel charge is only two dollars P Mr. Farrar writes himself " M.A., Oxon." There must be some rusting property in the clear air of Minnesota, when we find him writing,—

" Facilis descensus Averni, Diftleilis sed revocare regressurc."