Chronicles of Three Free Cities. By Wilson King. (J. M.
Dent and Sons. 10s. 6d. net.)—Mr. King, who was formerly American Consul at Bremen, has found an interesting theme in the history of the three great Hamm towns, Hamburg, Bremen, and Lubeck, which still look with pride to their ancient achievements, and preserve their dearly bought inde- pendence as sovereign States within the German Empire. Professor Mahaffy, who contributes a short introduction to 33r. King's book, suggests the possibility "that the trade of Hamburg may overtake that of London, and by playing tariff against free trade, with the aid of a great military power, reassert North Germany as the commercial centre of the world." It will take a very great military power to persuade outside merchants that it is more profitable to pay Customs dues than to use a free port—unless we are foolish enough to throw away the greatest asset of our commercial supremacy.
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