SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading tee notice such Books of the week as have not been reserved for review in other forms.] The Annual Charities Register and Digest. With Introduction by C. S. Loch. (Longmans and Co. 5s. net.)—It is impossible to exaggerate the interest and importance of this "Guide of the Charitable." The average giver, who has a groat many other things to think about, is no match for the beggar who con- centrates his whole mental powers on the task of taking the giver in. Of course, if he gives simply to get rid of a disagreeable subject, there is nothing more to be said ; he will have his indulgence, and will do more mischief than others who seem to be worse offenders. But if he really desires to do good, then he must consent to accept advice. In addition to the Introduction revised, according to custom, we have a "Review of the Year," in which the feeding of school-children and the unemployed question are dealt with. In connection with one school ninety- five cases were investigated. It was found that in fifty-eight there was a sufficient income ; that in thirty-three there were bad homes, bad ways, &c. ; four, and four only, were recommended for free meals. In one instance, in another set of cases, the family to which the children applying belonged had a weekly income of ..t3 13s. In this school the master in the boys' department believed in the feeding scheme, with the result that many more meals were given ; the mistress of the girls did not believe, but encouraged boot and saving clubs, and took pains to put herself in relation with the parents. The outcome of the whole was that the girls were obviously in much better condition than the boys.
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