BRUTES AND BEASTS By John Swain
In this full and liberally documented volume (Brutes and Beasts, Noel Douglas, 12S. 6d.), 'Mr. Swain follows up the account, which he presented in The- Pleasures of the Torture Chamber, of the indignities to which men have submitted their fellows, with an exposure of the cruelties which have existed in men's treatment of animals. The historical account which he gives is excellent, but when he comes to the present day his touch is less sure. For the writer who treats, with however passionate a belief in the justice of his cause, of Fox-Hunting, the Fur Trade, and Vivisection as related subjects, a certain objectivity of manner is advisable if he is to avoid arousing the suspicion of his readers by obtruding on their attention the limitations of a pamphleteer. A luxuriance of style and imagination,- however, appears to cloud Mr. Swain's judgement and detracts from the force of his statements. His manner weakens a ease which the greater part of his matter should have won.
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