19 FEBRUARY 1887, Page 24

The New Liberal Programme. Edited by Andrew Reid. (Swan Sonnenschein

and Co.)—Mr. Andrew Reid pursues his task of col- lecting opinions, a task not without usefulness, though the harvest which he gathers in is of very various quality and value. Some of the summaries of opinion are sensible; others very oracle indeed. But why does not Mr. Reid confine himself to his fanction of collecting ? What must be the mental condition of a man who can write,—we speak simply of the expression, let it be understood i—"Without this principle of national liberty, the Liberal Party would have no founda- tion, and is a doomed soul whirling down the bottomless pit ?"