MALTA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN RACE.
Malta and the Mediterranean Race. By R. N. Bradley. (T. Fisher Unwin. 8s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Bradley's conclusions may or may not be final. His main contention is that all primitive Mediterranean people, whether in Asia Minor, North Africa, or Southern Europe, are the offshoots of the same race which, originating in Africa, reached as far as England and Scandinavia. Naturally enough, supporters of the Aryan theory, which even Mr. Bradley admits "is hard of dying," will at least contest very warmly such an assertion. Without being of their number, we incline to think that the evidence at hand is not at present sufficient to decide finally either in favour of the one or the other, although it is possible that in the end Mr. Bradley's views will prevail, as Max Muller's suggestions are often more an evidence of the writer's power of analysis and induction than irrefutable proof. Even those who like ourselves are inclined to be somewhat sceptical—perplexity may well be pardoned where evidence is scant—will find, however, that Mr. Bradley's lucidity of style in dealing with controversial matters and his powers of description make his work uncommonly interest- ing. As a stimulating guide to the visitor of Malta's antiquities the book is invaluable. The descriptions of tools and ornaments of the altars and dwelling-places of the early inhabitants of Malta, of their idols and tombs, are fascinating reading. A hint of their customs, of their external life, can do more to bring us nearer to that era than a whole museum of skeletons. But Mr. Bradley shows us how from skulls and skeletons one can reconstruct not only neolithic man, but something approaching a human being.
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