30 AUGUST 1930, Page 20

For many young people " Victorian " is a term

of reproach. That belief may be modified if they will read Mr. II. V. Routh's cleverly chosen selections illustrating England under Victoria (Methuen, 6s.). He takes topics like " Observance of Sunday," " The Influence of Darwinism," " The Idea of a Gentleman," and quotes substantial passages from leading authors of the period, each with a few lines of comment. " Society Criticized " by Fronde, Arnold, Morris, Besant, Butler and Gissing is naturally an entertaining section. Mr. Routh is nominally writing for students, but many older peop:e will be attracted by his uncommonly able book.

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