Studies in Social Life. By George 0. Lorimer, LL.D. (Sampson
Low, Marston, and Co.)—This book, though bearing the name of an English publisher, has been apparently produced in America, as it certainly applies, in the first instance, to American affairs. Never- theless, there is much in it that, mutatis mutandie, we may take home to ourselves. Indeed, most of the difficulties which the writer states exist in a very aggravated form among us. Social problems, how- ever, seem to come forward very rapidly in the States, Chicago, a city of yesterday, quite rivalling any of the towns of the Old World in the fierceness of its social struggles. Dr. Lorimer has much to say on these topics, and Bays it with energy. He is a strong prohibitionist, being ready to tall in the aid of the State to pat down vice, though it is only fair to say he relies for the most effective action on the aroused activity of the Christian communities. On some subjects he is fairly temperate ; on alcohol he expresses himself with the greatest vehemence. To his own opinion be is perfectly entitled ; but he is not justified in summing ap the opinions of mankind. It is not true that "the question [for or against alcohol] has been thoroughly examined, and has been definitely, and we may say finally settled against its claims." The verdict of science is not "that it is a poison, deranging the system, exciting and then depressing unduly, ending at last in paralysis or madness, or both combined." Science has a good deal more than that to say. Dr. Lorimer has other strong opinions. " Cards are thoroughly disreputable." Is not that greatly exaggerated ? It may be tree that cards are a dangerous pastime for the ignorant and excitable, but considering their very general use, the epithet "disreputable" is out of place. We can pardon much, however, in a writer whose vehemence is always on the side of good.
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