20 DECEMBER 1919

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Of all instances of national mismanagement the treatment of Ireland

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is surely the worst. Here we have simultaneously a debate on an Irish Education Bill which is good in itself but which infuriates the Roman Catholics whom the Government...

NEWTS OF THE WEEK.

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T HE situation in Ireland has by no means improved, although on Thursday week the Government arrested several of the Sinn Fein leaders. The arrests were made in the early hours...

The Irish question came up again in the House of

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Commons on Tuesday, When Mr. T. P. O'Connor moved the adjournment of the House in order to consider the suppression of tfie Freeman's Journal. The lrish Attorney-General...

The special correspondent of the Morning Post gave in Tues-

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day's paper some further examples of the Sinn Fein literature which popularizes murder. The most remarkable of all is a song with the refrain, " Pop goes a Peeler." The refrain...

On Monday afternoon in the House of Commons Mr. Lloyd

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George spoke briefly about Ireland. He said enough, however, to make it plain that the new Home Rule Bill would not be introduced till next Session. At present it is not even to...

*,* The Editor cannot accept responsibility for any articles or

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letters submitted to him, but when stamped and addressed envelopes arc sent he will do his best to return contributions in case of rejection.

That a secret organization for murder is attached to the

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Sinn Fein movement is of course beyond a doubt. The special correspondent of the Morning Post in the issue of last Saturday made some quotations from the organ of the Irish...

The results of such propaganda are exactly what might be

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expected. Outrages occur daily, and those who are not Sinn Feiners live in terror of their lives. One of Lord Ashtown's tenants who is a Unionist and Protestant—to take only...

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Brigadier-General Dyer opened fire upon an unarmed mass of about

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5,000 people who were holding a meeting in a sunk garden at Amritsar, and did not stop firing till he, as he said, " ran short of ammunition." We do not wish in any way to come...

A deep impression has been produced by the surprising account

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of how the revolt was stopped at Amritsar last April. It is strange and most regrettable that no full account should have been published in this country till now. As we...

The negotiations at Copenhagen between Mr. O'Grady and the Bolshevik

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Litvinoff for an exchange of British and Bolshevik prisoners have not yet had any result. It seems as if the Bol- sheviks hoped to use the meeting as a means of obtaining recog-...

M. Clemenceau visited London at the end of last week

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to confer with Mr. Lloyd George and with American, Italian, and Japanese representatives. As to the result of their Conference all that we know on Thursday when we go to press...

The latest exploit of the Sinn Feiners was a raid

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on a Cork railway station on Tuesday night. A large gang of armed and disguised men took possession of the premises, imprisoned the night staff, and searched the goods yard....

Although all this must be said in fairness, and although

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it may be perfectly true that General Dyer prevented a new Mutiny, we are at present inclined to believe that General Dyer lost his head. It is a fact that he had had Procla-...

The General Election held in the Australian Commonwealth last Saturday

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resulted in favour of the Nationalists and Farmers supporting Mr. Hughes against the Labour Party. The Nationalists, according to the latest returns, retain thirty-eight seats...

One of the worst examples of indirect encouragement recently given

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to murderers was the comment of Bishop Fogarty that the outrage committed against Mr. O'Brien's shooting party was only done for fun, or, to use his exact reported words, that...

Mr. Chamberlain announced on Monday that the Govern- ment would

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adopt the main proposals made by Lord Cunliffe's Committee on Currency. The chief of these is the proposal to restrict future issues of currency notes in any year to the maximum...

Germany replied this week to the Allied Note requiring her

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to give compensation for the ships of war scuttled at Scapa Flow. While maintaining her obviously mendacious contention that Admiral von Reuter did not act under orders from...

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The revised Estimates for the Air Foroe, which were published

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last Saturday, show a reduction of twelve and a half millions on the original Estimates of March last, and now stand at fifty-four millions. The strength of the Force will be...

It was stated in the Times of last Saturday that

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there had been a marked decrease in the number of men and women styling themselves " unemployed " sine* the unemployment dole was discontinued on November 28th. The decrease was...

More important was the statement made by Mr. Bradshaw, representing

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the building trades operatives, who, when the trade was appealed to by Mr. Lloyd George to further a scheme which after all was intended purely to benefit manual workers,...

The London Municipal Society has published some facts which show

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what use is being made in some places of the Labour victories at the last London Borough Council elections. The Poplar Borough Council has decided that in granting increases of...

Fifteen thousand one hundred pounds were paid at Sotheby's auction-rooms

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on Tuesday for a little volume containing early editions of Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis and The Passionate Pilgrim. The Venus and Adonis was the only known copy of the fourth...

It is comforting to learn from the Bulletin of the

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Imperial Institute that there is no reason to fear a scarcity of wheat. Even if Russia exports none, there should be wheat• enough for all, because North and South America,...

Bank rate, 6 per cent.,changed from 5 per cent. Ncv.

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6, 1919.

Mr. Balfour, presiding on Friday week at a Conference called

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by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, wisely reminded his audience that there is no short cut to great results. Science cannot be applied to industry with...

Mr. Lloyd George said nothing in his speech at the

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conference held by the Building Trades Industrial Council on Tuesday that he had not already told the public. As in former speeches, he tried to put as bold a face as he could...

The Government's economic measures have fared badly. The Coal Industry

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Bill, to limit the coal-owners' profit to fourteen- pence a ton, came up for second reading on Thursday week, but it was attacked so violently by all parties that Mr. Boner Law...

The well-known Indian man of science, Sir Jagadis Chaudu. Bose,

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exhibited his " orescograph " to Mr. Balfour and others at the India Office on Tuesday. The " oresoograph " is a mag- netic and optical device for measuring the growth of...

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TOPICS OF THE DAY.

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THE FIRST STAGE TOWARDS INDIAN ANARCHY. T HE Indian Bill is perhaps the most fateful enactment that Par lament has ever passed. It affects the interests of nearly one-fifth of...

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SAVING EUROPE.

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So far as we can see, two principal causes have stood in the way of the Allies and Associated Powers doing for the starving countries of Europe all that is required by wisdom...

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THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH CHARACTER.

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T T is the immemorial habit of dogged Englishmen when 1 they feel that they are being treated illegally not only to protest, but to protest so far that they will, if necessary,...

AMERICA AND THE PEACE TREATY. T HE German Peace Treaty is

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still being used as the shuttlecock of American party politics. The meeting of the new Congress has not changed this unfor- tunate situation. Mr. Lodge, who leads the opposition...

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CHRISTMAS CAROLS.

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C HRISTMAS carols are the folk-songs of the Church, and out of the effort now being made to revive them has come, we are sure, a very great deal of delight and pure gaiety. That...

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THE HUMAN CLERIC.

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I T has never been my lot, nor is it ever likely to be my lot, to preach to candidates at an Ordination Service. But had it been, or should it ever be, I feel certain that the...

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

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[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.] --- GU ARDS LIFE AT THE...

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[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

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SIR,—Mr. Briscoe's excellent letter in your issue of Novembet 22nd showed up very clearly the weak points in the idea that a whole nation can realize simultaneously a...

LEVY ON CAPITAL.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIIA,—I was much impressed by the able letter signed W. A. Briscoe, which appeared in the Spectator of November 22nd, showing how very...

THE PRINCE OP WALES IN CANADA.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The. Prince is now on his way home, and he has left Canada better, happier, and more hopeful for his coming. To many of us as to you...

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COAL ECONOMY.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' Sra,—Every one knows that a shovelful of coal-dust will often prevent a coal or coke fire from burning properly, mainly by hindering the...

THE UNBALANCED COLLIER.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' in,—May I be permitted to confirm from my own observation e hat " X." says about colliers and their manners in your izeue of November...

UP "DIRECT ACTION "!

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR, —The article in last week's issue under elm heading "The Coal Blight" concluded with a very remarkable statement— viz., " Thefe are...

A MIDDLE-CLASS FACTORY.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' Sue—The proposal in a recent number of the Spectator to start a sugar-beet factory has the disadvantage that it would only be able to...

A QUESTION FOR MINERS.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR ." l FIR, —" What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander." The miners are going to go on strike next February unless the Government...

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POOR MEN'S PALACES.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The article "Poor Men's Palaces" in your issue of the 13th inst. brought to my mind a recollection, dating back some thirty years or...

DONALD HANKEY AND THE O.B.M. CLUBS. [To THE EDITOR or

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TIED " SPECTATOR."[ Srn,—In a narrow street in Bermondsey is the Decima Club. After entering, and passing a small canteen for light refresh- ments, you find yourself in a...

A MANDATE FOR THE IRISH!

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ITO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.") Sra,—As you appended a moral to my letter of December Gth I am going to ask the privilege of a postscript. It is unsafe to think that...

LABOUR CAMPAIGN FOR THE PUBLIC OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF THE

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LIQUOR TRADE. [To THE -EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") Sin,—A Labour campaign for the public ownership and control of the Liquer Trade has been inaugurated by a Committee of...

THE SCOTTISH CHURCH EN'ABLLITO BILL. *

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[TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.") Sin,—May I be allowed a rejoinder to Dr. Gordon Mitchell's second letter (in the Spectator of October 11th)? My statements as to the...

THE WAR AND MINISTERS OF RELIGION.

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[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") Sua—May I add a word to the striking testimony of " Prin- cipal " in the Spectator of November 15th ? For some years past I have been in...

COUNTRY CLERGYMEN.

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[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR."] Sin,—I often sympathize with clergymen situated in remote districts throughout Ireland. who have not access to literature informing them...

ROOFING FOR PISE.

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[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.'I SIR,—Having read with interest your articles on Pise' may I suggest (though perhaps rather late in the day on account of mail delay) that...

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THE LOST ARTS.

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[TO TEE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR, —The series of suggestions contained in the fascinating article on "The Romance of Disappearance" will, no doubt, revive the interest...

ENGLISH WORDS IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE. [To ME EDITOR OF

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THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR, I have read with great interest the article signed " S." on English words adopted in France. In spite of the compli- ment thus paid to England, as one...

" MORE SEA FIGHTS OF THE GREAT WAR."

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—In your kindly review of More Sea Fights of the Great War the critic takes exception to the passage : " A few more errors of judgment...

(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") Ste,—Your reviewer, writing

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of Sir Edward Ridley's translation of Lucan, says that we are not likely to get a better version till an eighteenth-century poet returns to make one for us. But why should an...

THE LABOUR PROBLEM IN SOUTH AFRICA. [To Ism EDITOR OF

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THE " SPECTATOR."] Snz,—I think Mr. J. S. Preddy's letter is sufficiently answered by my later one which you have been kind enough to publish on the same page (Spectator,...

LUCAN.

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[To THE EDITOR or ME " SPECTATOR."] Sts,—It may interest Mr. J. A. L. Fraser to know that the reading of Lucan is no new thing in the Humanity Class Room of Glasgow...

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A VOICE FROM THE TRENCHES.

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[To THE ED/TOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") DEAR SIR,—Will you permitt me, to write you these Lines. One night last week, i overheard a remark between two Ex Soldiers, who were...

STRANGE LIGHTS.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—With reference to the letter from Mr. E. M. Gilbert appearing in your issue of the 13th inst. under the above heading, it is possible...

POETRY.

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WOODSPRING PRIORY (The last Christmas, 1535.) Burma and honey shall he eat. His lips may taste no common food. But this shall be his daily meat— To know the evil and choose...

WOMEN'S SERVICE.

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THE London Society for Women's Service ask us to say that they have received this week, as a result of the Spectator appeal, £1 ls. from Miss Hopwood and 100. from Mr. J. Hatton.

AUTHOR FOUND.

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[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") Sia,—The lines about which your correspondent I. Muriel Cooke inquires appear as a heading to Mr. Rndyard Kipling's " Pagett, M.P.," in...

Ysptrtater

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We suggest that there can be no better Present in Peace or War than an Annual Subscription to the Spectator. He or she who gives the Spectator as a present will give a weekly...

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ARC .

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THE NATION'S NEW PICTURES. THE Exhibition of " War Paintings and other Records " at tho Royal Academy is perhaps the most interesting and the most stimulating Exhibition of...

BOOKS.

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"A STUDENT IN ARMS."* WE are exceedingly glad that the friends of Donald Hankey, " A Student in Arms," have brought out this volume of his letters, and have linked it with the...

NOTICE.—When " Correspondence " or Article, are signed with the

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writer's name or initial,, or with a pseudonym, or are marked " Communicated," the Editor must not necessarily be held to be in agreement with the view, therein expressed or...

THE THEATRE.

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THE " ADELPHI" AT WESTMINSTER. TERE,NCE WS never so successful at Rome as he is at West- minster, and if his shade has not blessed the School this week it is but an ungrateful...

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THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PEACE.* WHEN an ex-official, who

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represented the Treasury at the Peace Conference and acted as Mr. Chamberlain's deputy on the Supreme Economic Council, publishes an acrimonious indictment of the German Peace...

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SOUTH.*

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SIR ERNEST SILICKLETON'S last expedition to the South Polar regions sailed, by direct order of the Admiralty, in the first week of the war, and returned to civilization late in...

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TANKS.*

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A GREAT many new and interesting facts about the administra tive aspect of Tank production are contained in Sir Albert Stern's " Log-Book of a Pioneer." He does not attempt to...

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RHYTHM IN VERSE.*

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Ma. BAYFIELD'S aim in The Measures of the Poets is " to provide students of English verse with a system of prosody that is on the one hand sound in principle, and on the other...

WILLIAM BLAKE.*

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THE ordinary workaday world in which William Blake moved must often have been puzzled to reconcile the two aspects in which he presented himself to his acquaintances. The...

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COUNTRY CONTENTMENTS.*

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Mn. SHERI - Nal:CAM'S book reminds us of the classical reply made by Thomas Stoddart to Sheriff Bell, who asked him what he might be doing in life. " Doing ? Man, I'm an...

FICTION.

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PO OR RELATIONS. t Joini TOUCHWOOD, the central figure and nearest approach to a hero in Mr. Compton Mackenzie's new novel, was the only one • Syllabub Farm : a Quiet...

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READABLE NOVELS.—The Door of the Unreal. By Gerald Bias. (Eveleigh

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Nash. 7a. net.)—Desoribes some mysterious disappearances which take place upon the Brighton Road. The author would do well to study the allusions in Webster's Duchess of 'IMO...

GIFT - BOOKS.

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ILLUSTRATED BOOKS. MB. ARTHUR T. Bourox has greatly enlarged and improved, in a, new edition, Miss Evelyn March Philippe's well-known book on The Gardena of Italy (Country...

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SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

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[Notice in this adman does not necessarily proolsds subsequent regime.] The new Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, Manchester (Longmans, 2s.), contains, among other important...

WORKS OF REFERENOE.—The Aerial Year Book, 1920 (Cross- Atlantic Newspaper

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Service, 4s. net) is the first issue of an annual which will doubtless become increasingly useful as well as readable. Lord Northcliffe in a Preface describes it as " a...

Were You Ever a Child ! By Floyd Dell. (New

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York : Alfred A. Knopf.)--" We have all been educated, and just look at us!" This is the keynote of Mr. Floyd Dell's book. He is not a professional educationist, but speaks as...

The Publishing Family of Rivington. By Septimus Rivington. (Rivingtons. 10s.

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net.)—A family which has been connected with the publishing trade for two centuries deserves to have its history recorded with the care that Mr. Rivington has bestowed upon...