The latest - volume in Sir Janies-Marchant's useful " White- hall
Series " on the several Departments of State is also one of the best. Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith, who was long its Oficial head, was peculiarly welt-qualified to write on The Board of Trade (Putnam, 7s. 6d.), and his book is uncommonly interesting. The Board, like-other departments, developed out of the Privy Council, and traces its origins to a Com- mittee appointed by the Council in 1622 to encourage the depressed woollen industry and to improve the exchanges. As a Board, it _was founded by the Protestant champion, William III., in 1698 to look after !nth trade and the plant- ations. Abolished in 1782, It was revived in 1786, and the nee- onward developed steadily. Sir Hubert's account of its present organization and multifarious activities is excellent.
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