DRAB STREET GLORY By J. A. R. Cairns
The social conscience is -a somnolent beast that much resents disturbance. There is consequently an" obscure and unspoken opposition which must be overcome by books of this type if they are to find their public.' .- Drab Street Glory (Hutchinson,' 6s.), which was completed by Mr. Cairns just before he died, possesses at least two assets Which should help it in its struggle for public attention. It is written by an authority. Metropolitan Magistrates must acquire. perhaps more than any other class of social worker, a clear and penetrating knowledge of the mentality and condition of those who live and die in slums. It Is also extreMely well written. Books- which are written with 'emotion rielddm succeed in inspiring it in their reader ; but Mr.' Cairns had heard " the deep sighing of the poor," and wrote in pity and in terror. His style mresses the tragedy to his reader, who must acknowledge' it -and 'tremble. But Drab Street Glory is more than a mere description ; it Possesses a pnictiCal value. It analyses clearly and intelligibly particular social probleths, such as the drink question and the diffiCillties 'of marriage among the poorer classes, and shows how . little 'abstract theories of reform are worth 'without detailed experience of the context in which they must be applied. Mr. Cairns' book deserves to be read by anyone who dares to open the cup- board door and face the skeleton.-
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