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changes took place which ushered in a new era in the history of mankind. Taken altogether, they have a vaster significance than the stages which sever the Middle Ages from antiquity, and the former from modern times."

The volume gives evidence of considerable research over a wide area. But the data are not skilfully marshalled, and the line of argument, where traceable, is not clearly worked out, and is inconclusive, even upon the author's own premises.

C. H. D'E. LEPPINGTON.

DICTIONARY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. Edited by R. H. INGLIS PALGRAVE, F.R.S. Vol. iii., N-Z. [762 pp. 8vo. 21s. net. Macmillan. London, 1899.]

In a review of the second volume of this work I have clearly indicated what I considered to be the main defects in the construction and execution of the Dictionary of Political Economy. In noticing the third volume, the first duty of a reviewer is to congratulate the editor upon the completion of his labours. The dictionary may not be all that a dictionary of political economy ought to have been, but it represents a mass of miscellaneous information (often of a very high order) about political economy, and what may be regarded as more or less germane topics, for which all sorts and conditions of students cannot be sufficiently grateful. Under the letter "P" alone there may be found satisfaction, not only for the student of political economy, but also for the student of subjects suggested by "Paraguim," "Parceneos," and "Pre-Roman Industry in Britain," to say nothing of "Pessimism" and "Pleasure and Pain." It is obvious that in a dictionary conceived upon such an encyclopædic plan there must be a good deal of repetition and cross-division; under "Political Economy" we have by no means the first or the second discussion of its "method," but, as the final treatment of the subject is in the practised hands of Professor Sidgwick, a critic is less disposed to cavil.

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It is not equally clear why we should have an article upon Social Science" followed by another article, from a different pen and a different point of view, upon Social Science (sociology), supported by a further notice under the head of "Moral and Political Sciences."

The article upon "Socialism" is, as might have been expected, peculiarly inadequate; it is followed by a cross-reference to Christian Socialism, and separate articles (from different sources) upon State Socialism and Socialists of the Chair. The articles dealing with "Pensions and the Poor Law" are useful, but contain too much expression of "opinion" for a dictionary, while the historical review of

pension schemes in England and pension systems in other countries might have been more complete. There is no mention of Mr. Fowle's proposal, and no allusion is made to the distinctive character of the German system-the way, that is, in which it combines contributions from the State, the employer, and the workman; but here again we are referred for "particulars" to "Insurance, State (Germany)." As instances of the kind of information which the curious may find in the dictionary, reference may be made to the articles on "Polegraphy and "Transportation" (sc. of convicts)-the latter subject is certainly new in economic literature; but, on the whole, the dictionary does not venture into unexplored regions of economic theory.

On the other hand, the article on the Russian School of Political Economy, from the pen of Professor Miklakewsky, will be found by most readers peculiarly informing. The biographical articles are a great feature of this as the other volumes. To Adam Smith is given the honour of a very full analysis of the Wealth of Nations, as well as a most exhaustive account of "Adam Smith Literature." The article on Ricardo's work is less objective, rather more attention being paid to "its frequent defects" than to "its splendid merits." The epigoni of English political economy also receive their due; and there are interesting articles upon Plato, as well as upon other direct or indirect "precursors" of political economy, though it is difficult to see what a biography of Xenophon has to do with the subject.

Among the most important subjects treated are "Prices" and "Taxation;" but the only history of trade unions that is given refers to the United States, and the subject of women's wages is hardly treated at all. There is not so much as an allusion to the existence of women's unions, or to the work of the Labour Association (in connexion with profit-sharing), or to the interesting experiments in labour legislation that are being tried in New Zealand, or to the recent developments of English industry in the direction of combination. Of municipal collectivism little or no account is taken in the dictionary, if we may except some incidental (and highly a priori) deliverances on the subject; therefore, a student who might have occasion to look up "Tramways" would find no indication of their existence, though he would find nearly a column on "Transhumance." These omissions are symptomatic, and may be partly explained by the "earnest hope' of the Editor that "this work may promote and facilitate the study of sound economic doctrine." On the other hand, we are told (under "Orthodox Economists") that "orthodox is a term suggestive of controversy, and of the existence of an ascertained norm-a frame of mind uncongenial with that calm spirit in which economic questions

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should be approached." The spirit of the dictionary is "calm" enough, but it certainly also suggests "the existence of an ascertained norm.' Many readers might have preferred a little more actuality, and a little less "doctrine."

The third volume contains an index, which seems to be a faithful (as it must have been a most laborious) reflection of the complicated contents to which it refers.

SIDNEY BALL.

WHAT IS

SHORT NOTICES.

SECONDARY

EDUCATION?

Essays on the Problems of Organization. Edited by R. P. SCOTT, M.A., LL.D. [364 pp. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. Rivingtons. London, 1899.] These are essays by writers of practical experience, published under a Committee appointed by the Incorporated Association of Headmasters. They are largely popular, and not technical in character, intended to educate the man in the street and the often equally ignorant man in the House of Commons on the necessary points of organization. There are as many as thirty-one essays, most of them by different authors. They vary, as one would expect, very greatly in power and point, and there is a good deal of repetition. Occasionally there is a mistake in arrangement, e.g. "What is Secondary Education?" the question asked by the book itself, is not definitely dealt with till essay 17. The essays that are to be chiefly commended are those by Dr. Scott, the general editor, Mr. Withers, Dr. Gow, and Mr. Bryce. The article that falls short of comprehending the democratic criticisms on most of our higher education is the one that professes to set forth the interests of working men in its reform. It is a mistake to suppose that the democratic movement will be satisfied with any scheme that merely proposes to promote a few picked boys. into the ranks of employers. The writer of the article does not seem to have got beyond this idea. The claims made by Mr. Bevan on behalf of private enterprise in secondary education are exaggerated. By all means recognize good private schools, but do not puff the principle. The blessings of "individual supervision and home-training" have been somewhat overdone. On the whole, however, the book is a very useful one. Its general lines are sound. The ignorance of the ordinary parent and of the ordinary legislator is profound, and educational reformers cannot do better than present copies to their member and their friends.

LES LOIS D'ASSURANCE OUVRIÈRE À L'ETRANGER. II. Assurance contre les Accidents. Troisième Partie (Annexes). Par Maurice Bellom. [398 pp. 8vo. 8 francs. Rousseau. Paris, 1900.]

M. Bellom, who has done excellent work as a guide through the perplexing maze of labour legislation, finds the materials growing under his hands as legislation of the kind with which he is dealing assumes larger and larger proportions. The present volume is intended as a supplement, probably only the first, to the two previous tomes in which he treats, in full detail and with remarkable accuracy, of the most recent legislation on workmen's insurance adopted in various countries. In a publication which is intended, as it deserves, to become the standing book of reference on this particular matter, it is well that the information given should be complete. Hence the present synopsis of the older laws, of approved model rules for the various bodies formed to give practical effect to the several statutes, and of supplementary enactments lately passed in the shape of amending laws to complete the larger measures already reviewed, is sure to be welcomed by students. The very comprehensive Swiss measure, having been, after all, submitted in the eleventh hour to the mass of the population by way of referendum, is not yet dealt with, but remains reserved for a fresh supplement. But in all other respects the book seems brought up to date. It will be found valuable for reference by those interested in this particular legislation.

THE STATESMAN'S YEAR-BOOK. Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1900. Edited by J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D., and I. P. A. RENWICK, M.A., LL.B. [1280 pp. Crown 8vo. 10s. 6d. Macmillan. London, 1900.] The thirty-seventh annual appearance of the Statesman's Year-Book is marked by the fact that "the last shred of Independent Central Africa has disappeared in virtue of the latest Anglo-French arrangement." Other significant maps explain the reorganization of British Nigeria and the French West African territories, the political partition of Oceania, and the final Venezuela-Guiana boundary award. It is needless to say that the industry and skill of the editor and his colleagues are equal to the magnitude of the statistical task which has been placed in their charge.

HOW FAR IS PAUPERISM A NECESSARY ELEMENT

IN A CIVILIZED COMMUNITY?

SOME apology is required for propounding a question of this

academic nature. It is one to which no conclusive answer can be given in our time. If, however, it is good for theorists to find themselves confronted with facts, it is good also for practical men occasionally to raise their eyes from the absorbing requirements of daily routine, and to look at the subject on which they are engaged as one that has had a history, and one that must have a future. This assumption must be my excuse for thinking that it may be worth the while even of those who are actively engaged in the administration of the Poor Law to consider the question-Does the historian show us that the disease of pauperism is less virulent than it has been? Can the political philosopher give us grounds for hoping that its strength is likely to expend itself in the not remote future?

Pauperism is not, of course, synonymous with poverty. Pauperism is poverty which by custom, common law, or express statute derives a maintenance from enforced contributions levied on other members of the community. I say, "by custom or common law," because it is very important to connect our poorlaw system, which was systematized by the statute of Elizabeth, with the state of things which existed previously to that enactment. The statute of 1601 was not the beginning of the Poor Law. If we would understand this question at all, we must realize that previous to the Elizabethan Act, there had been a system of regulation far more stringent and far more searching than anything contained in the famous 43 Eliz., cap. 2. 2. We have to realize that the labourer was not even then fully emancipated from a condition of feudal or manorial servitude. The Poor Law of Elizabeth is fundamentally based on the idea of a VOL. X.-No. 4. 2 E

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