Mr. R. H. Gretton is one of the few historical
writers who have freed themselves from the text-book conventions and done some independent thinking. This characteristic is well shown in The King's Majesty (Faber, (is.), which is described as " a study in the historical philosophy of modern Kingship."' His survey of our history from the Tudors onward is refresh,. ingly honest, and includes an unexpected though well-deserved tribute to George III for his recovery of power from the corrupt Whig oligarchy. Mr. Gretton's main contention is that a nation needs to realize its unity and finds that unity hest expressed in kingship. " The individual finds in himself a conviction, which he cannot by reasoning account for. that he is a personality. The nation finds in itself an institution which equally by reasoning is not to be accounted for but which, through and behind all the play of its inevitable differences, assures it of union." Mr. Gretton's thoughtful little book deserves attention.
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