rah CITIZEN IN HIS RELATION TO THE INDUSTRIAL SITUATION.
The Citizen in his Relation to the Industrial Situation. By H. C. Potter, D.D., Bishop of New York. (Harper and Brothers. 4s. 6d. net.)—Bishop Potter, who has already taken much pains in bringing together the representatives of Capital and Labour, now addresses the general body of citizens on the problems involved in the industrial situation. He speaks with much good sense, and with what is evidently a considerable knowledge of the conditions of the case. His function is to represent the ethical element; but he has a sufficient understanding of the scientific and historical elements, His lecture—the volume contains lectures delivered at Yale on the Dodge foundation—on "The Working Man" may be taken as an example of his intelligent comprehension of the subject. He does not, we think, always maintain himself on this high level ; the chapters on " The Citizen and the Capitalist" and "The Citizen and the Consumer" are not equally convincing with the one just mentioned. Surely the passage on the pearl and its wearer (pp. 138-39) has more rhetoric than reason in it. What would be the result if every wearer of pearls were to take to heart the reproach which the Bishop levels at the "vain and bedizened wearer who flaunts this prize, stained often with the life-blood of a fellow-creature, in the face of her less opulent sisters " P It would destroy an industry which supports some thousands of people, which implies peril, cer- tainly, but probably does not lower the average of life as much as that which provides the lecturer with a razor or a penknife. But of all entangling subjects this of luxury is the most compli- cated. On the whole, Dr. Potter's book is one which may be studied with much profit.
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