Professions for Bays. By M. L. Pechell. (Beaton and Co.)—
In a cautious preface to this book, the Rev. Mr. Welldon, Head- Master of Harrow, points out very sensibly that "no existing book has afforded what may perhaps be called a conspectus of all such professions as are open to the young in the English-speaking world ; none has set forth the laws, conditions, opportunities, emoluments, and drawbacks of the profession." Mr. Welldon does not say of this little book of one hundred and fifty pages
that it supplies the needed " conspectus." He says that the author has been at pains to collect "much valuable information about professions," though he does not aver positively that the information is " always accurate and complete." The reader, therefore, is left very properly to estimate the book on its own merits. It is well condensed, as, indeed, may be gathered from the fact that it gives information as to nine home profes- sions, fourteen Indian, and thirteen "miscellaneous." The know- ledge supplied is based, as far as is possible, on statistics that have been adequately authenticated, and is not pitched in a too hopeful key, so as to mislead either parents or boys. The most interesting class of professions is the " Miscellaneous," ranging from the Consular service to the Church Missionary Society. Rather curiously, journalism is not included, although we are told that many young barristers " turn an honest guinea by writing for the Press." This might have been enough in the days of Pen- dennis, but hardly enough now when thousands of men are engaged in newspaper work, and when it has been thoroughly organised.
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