29 DECEMBER 1928, Page 19

* * * * The Bunyan celebrations have reminded us

of the undying charm of allegory for those who wish to convey spiritual ideas in an easily digestible form. The latest convert to this traditional method is Sir Francis Younghusband, whose The Coming Country (John Murray, 7s. 6d.) is at once a tale about a social experiment and an allegory of the spiritualization of human existence. It tells how the whole life of the village of Holm in Ourownland—religious, social and aesthetic—was remade upon new levels of happiness and peace through the vigorous idealism of a small group of its inhabitants, led by a practical mystic called Vera Love. That doctrine of spiritual patriotism which Sir Francis has expounded in other works is here again the basis of the scheme. The interesting point, however, is the real- ization that the vision and desire latent in the heart of the people must be incarnated in appropriate institutions if it is to have its full effect. The notion of the village Minster, and the activities connected with it—the use made of sacred drama and music, the encouragement of free discussion of ideas in a sort of Parliament of souls—these are no less practical than ideal conceptions ; which anyone with the energy and enthusiasm of Golden Promyss and his friend Clere Lyte might translate into action. The natural fears of Vicker (Sir Francis's nomenclature is of a disarming simplicity) that these novelties might threaten the particular institution which he represents, are shown to be groundless : even though Golden Promyss points out to him, with more truth than tact, that all great religious founders have been laymen. Readers of " Babbitt " may regard " Zenith League " as a somewhat unfortunate title for the association which trans- forms the life of Holm ; but even that disagreeable character Frank Kritik will hardly deny the excellence of its prescriptions for the betterment of life.