Modern Society. By Dr. Peyton Blakiston. (Macmillan and Co.)— Dr.
Blakiston was a clergyman before he became a physician, and at the end of this volume of lectures he prints a visitation sermon which was preached by him in tho year 1832, nearly fifty years ago. It is certainly a remarkable sermon, advocating, as it does, so many of the improvements in social matters which the last half-century has wit- nessed. Dr. Blakiston thought then, and thinks still, that such reforms are to be looked upon as religions duties ; that religion without social im- provement is a vain thing, and that genuine social improvement a i t bout religion is hopeless. Imbued with such convictions, he lectures on such subjects as " The Race for Riches," "Luxurious Extravagance," " Love of Applause," "Destitution; "Sickness," and other kindred topics. The reader will find the lectures edifying and full of valuable sug- gestions, especially in sanitary matters. We were struck with one which he makes on the necessity of providing a better supply of milk
for the poor, who, as Dr. Blakiston truly observes, oven in country villages, often find it impossible to obtain this most important article of food. When will landlords have the wisdom to provide that every farm-labourer, who will save enough to bay one, shall have the oppor- tunity of keeping a cow ?
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