26 MAY 1923, Page 21

This painstaking essay is a fresh proof that our colonial

history is at last beginning to attract a few serious students at the older universities. The dozen years to which Mr. Guttridge limits his attention were not a critical period, but the problem of reconciling Imperial and local interests began to be stated in more or less definite terms. The colonies were by no means able to stand alone against French aggression, but they were not afraid to claim full autonomy, perhaps without realizing what it meant. William's Ministers on the whole seem to have shown much patience and tact in dealing with the settlements.