The Civilisation of Our Day. Edited by James Samuelson. (Sampson
Low, Marston. and Co.)—This book is substantially a collection of essays on the great material, intellectual, and spiritual interests of the day. The one branch of thought which is not ex- pressly represented, though it cannot be said to be altogether ex- cluded, is politics. All these essays are the work of persons able to speak with authority, and, as a whole, they will satisfy the reader. While they are intended to be popular, they are not super- ficial. In the first section (" Utilisation of Natural Products") we have, first, "The Land and the Cultivator," by Mr. W. E. Bear, and "The Food of the People," by Mr. W. E. Banister ; Mr. H. G. Graves writes about Mines and Railways, the editor on "Locomotion on Sea. and Land," and Mr. R. F. Baines on "Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones." Under the heading of "Social and Economic" we have essays by the editor on various questions relating to Labour and Capital, Dr. Pinkerton writes on "Health and Disease," and Mr. J. Macfarlane on "War and International Arbitration," while other questions, such as the Unemployed, and the Condition of Women and Children, are discussed by writers who do not give their names. In the Educational category are "Education," by Mr. E. W. B. M. Hance ; "The Press," by Sir Hugh Gilzean-Reid ; "Free Libraries and Museums," by Dr. R. Garnett ; "International Exhibitions," by G. F. Barwick. Finally, Mr. Binyon writes on "The Popularisation of Art," Mr. Maunder on the progress of Astronomy, and Professor Max Muller on "The Dawn of Reason in Religion." It will be quite clear from this catalogue of contents that this volume, dealing with most of the subjects which we discuss throughout the year, is too encyclo- pudic for review. We content ourselves with letting our readers know what it professes to be.
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