The Boys' Club. By Paul Neuman. (D. Nutt. 2s. 6d.)—This
is not a book for us to criticise, as far as the giving of any opinion as to the views and suggestions made by the writer and by the gentle- men who have co-operated with him, Messrs. Jenkin, Pilkington, and T. E. Gray. He and they speak from experience, and though experts differ on this and all other subjects, it is not for the out- sider to judge between them. But no one can help being much impressed by the thoroughness with which the subject is treated. The general fault that Mr. Neuman finds with existing institu- tions is the defect in the matter of intellectual effect,—" the educational element." Ten "typical London boys' clubs" are described in section 3 of the chapter on "Existing Organisations." Here are the comments :—(1) " Educational element very small" ; (2) no comment, but favourable impression; (3) "E. E. almost entirely wanting" ; (4) " the one thing lacking is, as usual, the E. E." ; (5) " the prominence given to head-work is quite remark- able"; (6) head- work, as usual, very little in evidence"; (7) "E. E. not very strong " ; (3) " head-work, none" ; (0) " E. E. very small" ; (10) "educational side is, even for a London club, very weak." But every worker in a boys' club should study this book for himself.
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