17 FEBRUARY 1917, Page 22

Ireland in the Last Fifty Years. By Ernest Barker. (Clarendon

Press, Is. Gel. net.)—This well-written pamphlet gives a dispassionate account of Irish affairs during the last half-century. It shows that if Ireland has a grievance, it is not through any lack of goodwill on the part of British statesmen, who have done more for the Irish farmer and labourer than they have done for the British agriculturist. We must demur to Mr. Barker's suggestion that the Unionist Party his accepted Home Rule. Ito should have explained more clearly the Position of Protestant Ulster, which is imperfectly appreciated- by those who do not know Ireland and her history.