Oxford and Oxford Life. Edited by S. Wells. (Methuen and
Co.)—This, the editor tells us, is a new book," rather than a now edition. Five out of the nine chapters are entirely new ; three have been revised and added to ; one, the first, "Oxford in the Past," remains as it was, with a supplement, from the pen of the editor, dealing with the present century. "Oxford in the Present" is a particularly valuable contribution. The editor, who writes it, takes a very sensible view of his subject, seeming to see where the shortcomings of the University are, while he fully believes in its capacity for being more than it is. To older men, who can compare the Oxford of to-day with the Oxford of forty or fifty years ago, this belief will seem even better founded than to the younger, who are naturally more alive to faults. As to "Oxford Expenses," Mr. Wells thinks that they "have in- creased, are increasing, and ought to be diminished." At the same time, he allows that the general standard of comfort has been raised. We cannot help thinking that this consideration is so potent as to supply a reason for doubting the truth of the state- ment itself. Put the comparison in this way. An Oxford under- graduate with an allowance of :2150 per annum is better off now than an undergraduate with the stuns moans was forty years ago ; but a father of a family with £1,000 a year is worse off than such a person at the same time back. Mr. Brabant's chapter on "The Intellectual Life" of Oxford is excellent. He vindicates the Pass Degree, which is really much harder than most people think ; is not favourably inclined to Honours Moderations (Classical) as they are now ; and thinks the school of Litene Humaniores most successful. It is, indeed, this that makes Oxford what it is, and we hope that no rash hand will be laid upon it. "Social Life" and "Aids to Study at Oxford" are both new, and should be specially mentioned.
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