The Manchester Reform Club, 1871-1921. Edited by W. H. Mills.
(Manchester : privately printed by C. W. Hobson, 10s. 6d. net.)—The jubilee of a famous Lancashire institution is worthily commemorated in this little book, containing chapters by different writers and several excellent photographs by Mr. A. L. Coburn and others. The club was founded in 1867 and entered its present stately home in 1871. Mr. Mills in his vivacious introduction, which will be appreciated by those who know Manchester, recalls some of the eminent Liberals and Free Traders of the last generation, such as " White Ben" and " Black Ben " and the austere Hugh Mason. Mr. Thompson contributes a judicious chapter on the violent dissensions occasioned by the Home Rule controversy which nearly led to a wholesale secession from the club. The members, in the end, agreed to differ, as they have done in recent years. We notice that the last three annual presidents have been Mr. Lloyd George, Lord Haldane and Lord Grey of Fallodon, so that the Manchester Reform Club preserves its impartiality in Liberal quarrels.
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