20 FEBRUARY 1926, Page 28

PapFEssou SCHLESINGER, of Harvard, begins well with an account of

Jackson's unconventional rule, entitling his chapter " The Rise of the Common Man," and the narrative runs smoothly all the more because politics are subordinated to the great :economic and social problems which America

has had to face. He hardly does- justice to the efforts of Palmerston's Ministry to preserve a.strict neutrality between North and South in the Civil War ; Professor Adams's recent work has not yet had time to correct the traditional American view of our attitude in 1861-5. His summary sketch of the late War is, if anything, too dispassionate and non-committal.

The notes on authorities at the end of each chapter are to be commended. It is an interesting book.