The Viking Land. By W. S. Monroe. (George Bell and
Sons. 7s. 6d. net.)-31r. Monroe tells us that his book is "the result of two vacation trips to Norway, and rather wide reading of the extensive literature of the country." He is, we gather, a native of the United States, and Norway appeals to him as the "most democratic country in the world," not, we suppose, excepting his own, as having abolished hereditary distinctions, and vindicated her independence, under less provocation, and with very much less effort, than the United States. The subject is full of diverse interest. There is the " playground " aspect, which Mr. Monroe does not neglect. Then there are the social, economic, and political arrangements. A sparsely inhabited country, without the huge centres of population which defy administrative efforts, offers an easy field for government. Norway deals with her casuals, for instance, with exemplary severity. "Persons found roaming about the country without definite homes and occupations are committed to workhouses for terms varying from three to six years." Vaccination is compulsory ; no one can be married without a certificate. The general health is good, tuber- culosis being the worst enemy of life. Generally the health provisions of the country are admirable ; so are the educational. The Church is arranged on what would be called in some quarters Erastian princ:ples. Mr. Monroe is inclined to regard everything Norwegian with a favouring eye; bat he has to confess that in sexual morality the country does not stand high. Crime, too, of this kind is lamentably common. Some would say that the literature of the country does not give a favourable impression of its moral tone. The volume will be found to be full of interest.
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