The Development of Africa. By Arthur Selva White. (G, Philip
and Son.)—There is a groat work connected with the future of Africa which remains for such a writer as Mr. White to perform, It calls for the knowledge of the scientific geographer, and for the sagacity of the practical politician. To systematise and appreciate the results of exploration, to see in what directions the advances of civilisation may be most profitably made, to point out where private enterprise should be encouraged and where restrained, are some of the functions which such an observer is called upon to perform. It must be allowed by all that the laieser-faime theory cannot be applied to Africa. Leave the activities of commerce to themselves, and we should have the liquor-trade, not to speak of the slave-trade, in full force. Mr. White sets himself to grapple with the task of con- sidering what is to be done with Africa, and how it is to be done. He begins with a view of the country, its physical features, and its populations. He then considers the position of the two religions which are contending for the possession of the great continent,—Christianity and Islam. "The Traffic in Slaves" is the subject of a separate—chapter. Mr. White agrees with previous observers in his doubts of the sincerity of more than one European Power in the suppression of the traffic.
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