Consuls Plante. Reflections by an Old Etonian. (Grant Richards. 2s.
6d. net.)—"Reflections," it should be observed, not " Recolleetions." Of the latter there is, indeed, a slight element, a few allusions to personages, customs, and etiquette of bygone times, but they are introduced to point the moral that is being drawn. The "Old Etonian" has written an excellent little book, which has at least as gooda chance of setting some young fellows en the right way as anything of the kind. "We never learn from the experience of others, seldom from our own," some pessimistiO person said. We hope that the "Old Etonian" will not have written in vain, for he writes with tact and good sense.• Incidentally, we see that he gives opinions on certain disputed questions, pronouncing in favour of fagging, and not dis- approving of the birch. We notice, as we write, that the Head-Master of an important London school has committed himself against corporal punishment. Of course this is more easily dispensed with in a day school. But even here the question of time comes in. An ill-conducted or idle boy may be successfully dealt with by persuasion and argument, but the process will certainly require an expenditure of time and energy generally which may result in serious loss to the well-behaved and industrious.
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