BRITAIN IN AFRICA.t Tan National Society are doing a good
work in bringing out the handsome and comprehensive guide to the British Empire of which this volume is the first instalment. In writing Imperial history it is difficult to strike the mean
• Westminster Sermons. By H. Hensley Henson, D.D. London: James Clarke and Co. [Ss. ad. net] t A History and Description of the British Empire in Africa. By Sir Harry Johnston, G.C.M:G. "Britain Across the Seas." London: National Society's Depository. [10s. 6c1. net.] between the popular sketch and the scientific treatise. Sir Harry Johnston seems to us to have found the right balance. Knowing his subject as few men living know it, he can write lucidly, simply, and picturesquely. It takes a tr•ne scholar to wear learning lightly. The ethnological and geographical chapters are uncommonly well done. African anthropology has suffered of late from confusion of tongues, and the ordinary reader will be glad of Sir Harry Johnston's enlightening summary. The history of the different British units is then traced in a consecutive narrative. He is con- spicuously moderate in his judgments, and gives praise generously to the work of other nations, such as France in. North Africa and Nigeria, Germany in the Cameroons and East Africa, and even Belgium in that part of the Congo, State which was not affected by King Leopold and his con- cessionaire companies. He is willing enough to admit that we have dark places in our own record, in Uganda in the early days and in South Africa. " It is my personal opinion that on the whole the British have been more righteous in their dealings with the native races of Africa than have some of their European rivals ; but they do not hold the monopoly of virtue and disinterestedness."
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