SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
iNetice in this MUMS does not necessarily preclude subsequent review.] Cecil Spring-Rice: In Memoriam. By Sir Valentine Chirol. (Murray. 6s. net.)—Many friends of that very able and attract- ive man, the late Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, will be glad to have this little book. It contains Sir Valentine Chirol's appreciative memoir; Mr. Alfred Noyes's poem (reprinted from the New York Times) ; Mr. Balfour's official despatch of thanks to the retiring Ambassador•, who died before he could receive it ; the Ambassa- dor's last public speech, on the " Two Ideals " of Germany and Brilain, which he delivered at Ottawa a day or two before his death ; and accounts of the memorial stall-plate in Eton College Chapel, and of the Memorial Fund which was raised by some of the Ambassador's American friends for the immediate benefit of his widow and children, and for the ultimate benefit of young diplomatists studying at Balliol. Mr. Balfour's despatch appears for the first time. He thanked Sir Cecil Spring-Rice for the important services which he had rendered, as Ambassador at Washington from 1913 to 1918, and recognized the " unfailing judgment and unwearied forbearance " with which he had foiled the enemy's intrigues against him. " It is in no small measure- due to your exertions that the suspicions which co easily embittered the relations between the two great English- speaking peoples were dissipated—I trust for ever." The success of the Embassy during the war, Mr. Balfour added, had been " due in no small degree to the inspiring example of an Ambassador who has never spared himself."
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