BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 74, 21 December 1918, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

How the Empire is Governed. As a guide In the study of British and British Imperial political institutions Jlr. Edivni'd .Teiiks's new work, -"The Government of the British Empire" (John Murray; per Whitconibe and Tombs) is I'm , anil nvny Hid most comprehensive nnd useful work on this important subject that has yet been published. In a compact and eminently handy form, Mr. Jenks, who is a wellknown mid recognised authority on .constitutional history nnd law (.not only of the Motherland, but of Australasia), provides a detailed survey and exposition of the whole eystem of British Kovernlnoiilv from the Crown, through the Imperial Cabinet and Parliament, light down to the humblest forms of local administration.- The chapters dealing wich the work of the Treasury and the vari--0116 Secretaries of State, and with (lie newer portfolios and departments which hiive sprung 'into existence as a result of the war, arc specially interesting to overseas readers. It would be well, indeed, wore every member of Parliament and candidate for Parliament in the various Australian States and in this country to make a cnrefnl study of the. working of the Home Parliament and Ministry as here described.- The chapters dealing with the work of tho Imporial Cabinet and tho strncturo nnd work of the Imperial Parliament .are full of usefully suggestive information of special value at the present time, when there is. so much discussion as to the changes which must inevitably bo made-before, long in the formal legislative connection between tlie Dominions and the Imperial Government. :...-.

Although, to- a large extent, Australian and New Zealand Parliamentary procedure and practice: follow closely upon British- lines, it will bo seen by a perusal of this excellent work tii.il: certain differences exist, and that 111 some directions it .is very doubtful whether , the overseas legislatures have..not. sfill agooddeal to learn from the "molher of Parliaments.-" The author, w.ho .is principal and director of legal studies of the Law Society, warns his readers 1 i-afc his book is not intended to compete with such standard works on the as those, of-the lnte.Sir William Aisnn. the late Bishop S tubus, and Professor Dicey. It is written on. .morn prpular lines',' and should appeal to a n.ueh" wider public. Nevertheless, -it.is-i.ot-a ir.cvo. "precis" of larger treaties, but, as far as it goes, is original both in plan and execution, and has been written from original material. The' chapters dealing with the history, powers, and duties of the King's courts of justice mid with the history and present position of IliP established eliiirehes should be.' specially welcomed by oversea readers as affording iinuch. interest ing and. useful information on institutions with- the ancient story and luUei-day working of which tlie average New Kealander or Australian is but iipperfectlv acquainted. The' information 'given in. the book is brought up to the end of 1917. .

1 cannot too warmly commend this wellplanned and in every way admirable treatise, to my readers'. 'It should i'.iul a place in every public library, and uhould prove- of great value, to I how—and I hese are to-day, I believe,- an'ever-increasing number—who a.To studying the history of legislative institutions with a view to being well informed in presence t.f those great political' reforms which.so iiany of us feel fo be imminent as a lesiilt of tho war. Members of the Workers' Educational Association, nnd the n'.flvo thoughtful class of young artisans and young men generally, will iind.Jlr. .lenks's Ixiok" of great' assistance i" their study of political institutions. .An admirably-com-piled itidexVU a welcome -addilion lo a volume which, .at ifs'.'cnmpnranvdy modest price of 7s. (id. (N./,. price), is 'a marvel of cheapness.

"Dr. Muohlon's Diary." During the last three months bnlli English'and American newspapers have <iunted freely, from a very remarkable book, "Dr. Jliiehloii's Diary: Notes Written Early in the. War." bv Dr. Willielm iluohlon. ex-diveclor of Krunp's (Cassell and Co., per S. and W. Jlackay). J t is certainly-an astounding production, laying bare, as it does. Hie most conclusive proofs of the cynically criminnl deliberation with which tho war was planned by Germany. Not even Prince'Lichnowsky's famous pamphlet out-does in actual sen-, sation this book of Dr. .jruchlon'n. The author was a director of Krupn's famous cannon works when the war broke out, but soon afterwards/resigned his position and went-to-live in-Switzerland. ITe- is evidently a man ,of hijh intellectual ability, and, although not -professedly a pacifist, seems to 'jbave disliked his occupation and been only lob glad to relinquish it. He regarded the outbreak of war with horror and erjef. and. seems to have doneibis bost-t.b-inilucn.ee official-, dom against it. He , encountered, however, only ridicule and abuse. One thing is brought out very clearly in the "Diary," and that is that not , only was .tho war popular with the mililarv and oflicinldonv generally, but with tho great German captains of industry—those self-same persons who to-day are whining over the economic war they dread so much. Tho author says:— .

"There was nothing in their conversation or in their thoughts but force, material wealth, new territory to develop, discipline and methods of exploitation. No idea which would juetify an extension of German rule, no benefits and no commler.ition to- be bestowed on the conquered. In short, no magnanimity. They want to lio in the beds of other pco.plc and don't mind lioinc called barbarians for wantinpr to do 10. They haven't the least ambition to win over other peoples by moral suaeion.". .

Of the German Press, ho writes in equally scathing terms. He brands it as "a moral leper." and denounces its "ignorance, its. philislinism. its lack of taste, its aTrognnce; and its rudeness, its fundamental falsity, injustice, wickedness, and liatefulnees." Tho author disposes of that stale old German mendacily that "Beleium had laid herself onen to German invasion by promising Franen the ritrlit to march through lier territory" by assuring us, as an ex-director of Kruiip's, that" when w actually broke out tho guns ordered by Beleium from the Essen works for tho fortification of Antwerp were "still bcin? held in Germany at tho request of tho Belgian Government." Dr. Muehlon confirms everything that appeared in tho Lichumvskv revelations as to the way in which Berlin, bent upon war, thwarted ■ tho honest altempls oi Sir Edward Grey to prevent the AustroSe'rbiah break and its senuel. the break with Russia. . The Kaiser's trin to Norway was a mere blind. It 'had been preceded, Dr. Muehlon tells us, .by a Bccret conference at Berlin, Austria obtaining carte-blancbe for any action she might take in Serbia. There was, lie, says, no such as an "international conscience." in Germany. There wns no public or private protest, however mild or veiled, against tho atrocities committed in Belgium. As to what would h,ave been the result ot n Gorman victory, the diarist has' no illusions whatever. . Ho writes:—

The Prussitt of to-day can only inspi.N tho. nations of Europe with a deeper hatred, can only posid them to demoniac fren/v Prussia, will' Toll them of all flic win and what shot alien she will want to keep She will, eurrender nothing, of. ,-inv value, to herself; and if she given it will always be at others' expense. '1 hoKO whom Bhe lias conquered. tho3c wliom Rlio has fallen m>oll and oppressed, will remain for ever under her heel. She will force every foreign .people to subordinate their civilination to her own barba-rinm. She believes in nol-hiiK but. bruto force in domestic and foreign politics β-lilte. She recoeniseu 110 power oil earth but compulsion. .

Snace limits, especially severe just now when now books arc so numerous on my study-table, forbid Unit extended review which this notable book fairly deninnds.: It is certainly one nt the' most intei'cstiiiK and important contributions to the hislory of the war, especially as lo its inception and earlier stages, that wo have yet had, and in Uβ thoughtful and searching analysis of the German

character, national and individual, possesses a special vnluo at the present time. (Prico lis. (id.) . . "The Chant of Doom." Mr Christopher J. Brennnn, a wellknown Australian poet, hns, m Jus "Chant of Doom and Other Versos (Anfius and Kobertson, per. S. nnd \V. Mncka.v), collected and reprinted n scries pt exceptionally fiiio poems contributed to various Australian periodicals, during the war-period. Mr. Jlrenmm's vigorous and eloquent denuncintiou of llun cnminai- - ,y is instinct with a Hory indiisnalion over the numberless -abominations for which German ' diplonuicy and Herman militarism havo been responsible. Ernst Lissauer's famous "Hymn of Hate here meets with a rejoinder which for scathing, biting satire and sarcasm, blazing wrath against Hun villainy, and concentrated bitterness, could not well be excelled; The title poem, "A Chant of Doom." witTi its refrain Chime his fame nnd ehimo Wβ name, Hhyme his title, rhyme his Bhmne, Gcrninn .faith and German trust, German ' hate and German lust, liury tho Beast, into the duet, is at once a damning indictment of Hun treachery and evil-doing, 11 generously, liobly-worded tribute to the. valour of tho Allies, especially of France, and a tocsinlike appeal for that, sustained determination which could alone bring victory. "Lookers On" (the Sydney Stadhvm, July' 31, 191"))- is a slinging satire on a voi'y disgraceful episode in tho warperiod history-of .Australia, when the vast" audience, gathered ' together to witness a.prize-fight, howled down Ihe Ministers and..members of Parliament ot both political pcirlics _ who! were conducting a. recruiting campaign: What aha-mo "is this, that foeuicn mock, And brothers doubt, our birth? The" groundlings' noißomc benches rock . .Impatient for.their mirth. Their hirelings fight; who dubn it vice • To- batten on ■ the view? Sweet friends, ami -whence so 'high your . price,.- . • ■ ' ■ •■ . That men should (lie for you? Nay, street-bred lnintlfi. and poiter-eoule. Yd. need not be «dread; . Theli- raoo Iβ run to other goals, Xβ .profit by theee dead. The. garbage bucket's" brood is free ■ To buzz In tsuininor flir: They give their all for- Liberty • • .And-you shall have your eliiirc. The poet's confidence in tho triumph of the sacred; cause of tlip Allies, the triumph of Kight over unspeakable Wrong; a; confidence reflected in nil the earlier denunciations which .flowed from his indignant heart' and eloquent pen, was justified."When the'armistice pounded the knell o£ Germany's foul and criminal ambitions.' From'- tho Jinnl' poem, "Dawn," published in the "Sydney Alnriiing Herald' , -on-iN'ove'mlwr.il, 1 take the verses:—■■' .- ■ This is their doom, deserv'il, complete and due, ■ ■ That Ihoy themselves must know Whose.witless hand it was overthrew ■ With self-inflicted blow-

Their monstrous dream; to know their own tlie sword Thai emote them from the -skies, That. Bti-et-cliecl low the Dnicpn they adored, And Bhattcr'd their omprise; ■ Their own the skill that .most, industrious built. •• ' . This pit ot tlieir d.Rspair, Rt'dr-hislv sinpotli-ronndml, bnjTliim where "the-ir- guilt. Must lind eternal lair. The enginery they wrought, whoa' maw they fed With fame and fire of lialn, To break his house above their iipiglidijur's head Hath left t-heir'B -desolate. -• And Kvil knows-at last, all overt oil'd The la>v whereby it nmst Bγ self-iitupidit.y and diilness foil'd , Still labour for the Just. This is their punishment; there ia no ■worse; What have they loft, to dread Who reel;, not of (.lie living orphans' curse, Tho slow wrath of , the dead? A special word of praise is duo to the publishers for tho soberly artistic format of Mr. lircnnon's little book, (l.'rice Us. .lid.). ' ' ■ .

A Charming Gift Book, Christmas is onca I'.gain upon us, and the publishers have seen to it as usual that a generous menu of literary and artistic, laro has been provided tor jti.venilo entertainment. That clever young 'Australian writer'and artist, Miss May , Gibbs, is responsible for a specially channiiii; gill book--for the very little ones—entitled "Snugglopot and Cuddlepic: Their Adventures Wonderful" (Angus and Jfobpi'tson, per S. and W. Mackay). As autlior, Miss Gibbs has imagined a very pretty little idyll of two tiny foster-brothers who nro wafted away into tho Woods, there to mako acquaintance, with and share tho droll and ingeniously conceived experiences' and adventures of a small host of Australian birds and bensts, flying, creeping, and Rwjniming things of various kinds. There is a gay fancy and. much bright humour in tho story, the moral of which is , kindness "to all bush creatures, and don't pull flowers up by the roots." But it is in her pictures that, Miss Ciibls3 is specially successful and delightful. A whimsical fancy has boon responsible for somo inimitable pictorial drolleries. "Mr. Lizard at tho Photographer's" is a positive little masterpiece. Miss Gibbs. can get as much fun out of an Australian boar, a kangaroo, or a kookaburra as'can Norman Lindsay himself. Tho kiddie* will vastly enjoy this clever hook, and many an oldster, too, whose 'heart is still yoiinir: ami with the war all ever, and tho "flu fiend" slain, and Christmas here onco again, the grimmest old fogey must surely unbend. (Price, 55.). Presidont Wilson as an Author. The October "Bookman" (Hodder and Sloughlon) lias an excellent article, by Frederic Whyte, on "President AVilson as a Bookman." . His first book, "Congressional .Government," which nppeared as far back ns 1881, is alluded to appreciativelv, so Mr. Whyto reminds us, in the preface to Bryco's "American Commonwealth," but the writings by which Mr. Wilson is best known, the product of his Princeton period, were more purely literary, especially a volume of essays entitled "Mere Literature." Herein are essays on Burke (of. whom President Wilson never tires), on AVallw Bagehot, and others. It is, interesting.-to note what Mr! Wilson has to say on tho English historians. Green, it appears, is his favourite, Gibbon leaves him cold, whilst Miicaulav ho regretfully dismisses for his tendency "to turn narrative into argument and mako history a s vindicalion of the'Whii,' party.'' Hp admires Carlyle's "amazing flashes of insight, and his uiilookcd for steady li'-'ht of occasional narrative," but, he adds! "surely history was not all enacted so hotly or with so passionate a rush of men upon the stage." Although, as I have said, Green is his favourite, Mr. Wilson cleverly details his weak point—his tendency to monotony in the key. "It is," says the px-Professor, "a very fine and moving key . . . but it is always the same key, and some themes.it will not nerve." The President himself is no mean historian, as witness his five-volume "History of the American People." Another good feature in the October "Bookman" is an article by Mr. David-son-Cook mi "Burns and Peter Pindar," an- exceptionally interesting contribution lo IStmisiana, to which I hope lo refer on a future occasion. Answers to Correspondents. I S.S. (Wcraroa).-Thanks for letter. Note on Lytlon was merely a note, mil a ' detailed criticism. After holidays hope to have extended reference lo Victor- ■ jan novelists. J.TI.C. (Wauganui),-Publishod in Duckworth's Readers' Library, 2s. (Id. net (English price). W.11.H. (Cambridge, Waikato).-Publish-ed both in "Everyman's Li.bra,ry" "The. World's Classics." Another edition is Macinillnn's "Golden Treasury,"