In G. K. C. as M.C. (Methuen, 7s. 6d.) Mr.
J. P. de Fonseka has collected thirty-seven introductions written by Mr. Chesterton, introductions which must have added much enjoyment to the perusal of the books introduced. The detachment of them from their proper context has not damaged them ; they read, in fact, likesome of Mr. Chesterton's essays on other and less formal occasions. For he never wastes time and paper on formalities. He plunges straight into the subject and illuminates if not the whole idea at any rate an essential part of it. But for the footnotes attached by Mr. Fonseka we should hardly have known that they were introductions at all. They Can certainly not have been the dullest part of the book, as introductions have a habit of being ; in fact, we should not wonder if some of them rendered the books themselves unnecessary. And not the least remarkable thing about them is the fidelity with which, over a period of more than twenty-five years, they advocate the same ideals, ideals which are still, unfor- tunately, in almost as great need as ever of his advocacy. That alone, if there were no other, is a reason for reading
the book.
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