SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as hare not been reserved for review in other formel The Constitutional History of England. By Sir Thomas Erskine May. Edited and continued by Francis Holland. 3 vols. (Longmans and Co. Vols. I. -II., 1760-1860, 15s. net; Vol. III., 1860-1911, 12s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Holland has done well in the managing of his editorial work. He has left Sir Erskine May's History unchanged, and has added a third volume, in which lie gives his own continuation from the year 1860 down to the present time. To review this volume in detail is a task clearly beyond our metier in these columns; we might, indeed, say altogether impossible, for it would mean a summary of all the political articles which have been written in the Spectator during the last half-century. But we may say generally, without ex- pressing any opinion on particular questions, that the work has been well done : Mr. Holland's history is not colourless, but, if the play on words may be pardoned, it is not parti-coloured. We may specify the chapter on "Palkiamentary Reform," where the prin- ciples and the working of the various Acts dealing with the suffrage are discussed in an illuminating way. Another notable chapter is that entitled "The Home Rule Movement." Among other matters it contains an able characterization of Pamelrs personality and policy and a description of the various forces which worked on the movement which he conducted. Much may be learnt, too, from the chapter which treats of "Local Govern- ment." Taken as a whole and judged as a visitor from another world, untouched by our feelings, might judge, it is a very curious story. There are two parties in the State as there were when the history begins. But how changed in their convictions, if convictions come into the case, and their aims The Tories—in this connexion we may use the old party names—are the Tories as Disraeli moulded thorn. This is a big enough change. But what is it to that which has come over the Whigs? They started in 1832 with the principle that the ideal State was that which had least to do with life, and now, the school of Cobden having given place to the school of Lloyd George, they hold that the more the State has to do with it the bettor.
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