By HERBERT M. THE PURSE AND THE CONSCIENCE: An Attempt to show earnest attempt This book deserves a cordial welcome as a sober and to grapple with the great problem of practical Ethics. It is written in the best spirit and with the best intentions. Most of its practical recommendations may be heartily accepted. I am, however, bound to say, that the theoretical basis does not strike me as very strong. The theoretical part of such a work must be partly Ethical and partly Economic. The Ethical basis of the writer is summed up in the definition of justice as demanding "such a distribution [of wealth] as is proportional to services rendered to the community." He seems hardly to be aware of the disputable character of this fundamental proposition, or of the difficulty of reconciling it with the "utilitarian standard of morality" of which he appears to be an advocate. His main Economic thesis is that competition tends, on the whole, to bring about such a distribution better than Socialism could do. He is, as it seems to me, rather unnecessarily anxious to show that the considerable amount of State interference which he advocates can be defended on the principle, not of restricting competition, but simply of making the competition more fair. As against Socialism he relies chiefly upon the difficultywhich he seems disposed to convert into a theoretical impossibility-of measuring the public wants without the index of competition. Such objections will not weigh much with them to whom the ultimate major premise of a State of "infinite power, wisdom, and goodness" presents no difficulties. On the other hand, the following remark as to "hereditary wealth" hits the right nail on the head :— "For its abolition we are probably not yet ripe; the unit among us for wealth-distribution is to a great extent the family, rather than the individual, and few among us are prepared to leave our children without such special provision as we can contrive; but it is a question whether something may not be done in the direction of increasing, by gradual steps, the already considerable taxes payable on inherited personal property by an extension of the principle of the estate duty of 1889, which imposes an ad valorem tax of one per cent. on all estates amounting in value to £10,000 and upwards." Mr. Thompson sees that in the family, or rather in the facts of human nature upon which the family is based, lies the insuperable obstacle to all schemes for distributing work, advantages, or rewards in accordance with ideal justice, though this affords no excuse for not endeavouring to get a little closer to ideal justice than we are at present. Mr. Thompson's practical suggestions call for little criticism. They are excellent as far as they go, but they are a little vague. There is a lack of illustration. Mr. Thompson hardly seems to appreciate the practical difficulty of the problem or the imperativeness of a new morality on this subject. We hardly gather what practical advice he would give to the average squire with an income of £4000, the rising barrister with £2000, the vicar or struggling doctor with £400, as to his "standard of comfort," his entertainments, the education of his sons and daughters, his savings, his will, the amount and direction of his charities. All advice on such subjects must be more or less vague, but we want to get at principles. Mr. Thompson's book may be far from useless to conscientious men seeking light on such subjects, but it may be more useful by suggesting further inquiry and more systematic treatment than by any positive solutions which it offers. H. RASHDALL. SHORT NOTICES. THE PRINCIPLES OF STATE INTERFERENCE: Four Essays on the Political Philosophy of Mr. Herbert Spencer, J. S. Mill, and T. H. Green. By DAVID G. RITCHIE, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Jesus College, Oxford. [172 pp. 2s. 6d. Sonnenschein. London, 1891]. Mr. Ritchie has been well advised to republish the four essays contained in this little book. Though they first appeared some four or five years ago, the author has not seen reason to withdraw or to modify in any degree his staunch and vigorous apology for the due exercise of State functions. Not even "the volume of essays called 'A Plea for Liberty ""'—as we learn from a postscript-has induced Mr. Ritchie to alter any of his arguments. The first essay is a trenchant criticism of Mr. Herbert Spencer's political individualism, showing its inconsistency with his scientific conception of society. Mr. Ritchie is particularly incisive and witty in dealing with Mr. Spencer's use of such phrases as "natural rights," and "Constitutions are not made, but grow." The second continues the investigation, with equal force and perspicuity, of Mr. Spencer's polemic against all positive legislative action on the part of the State. In the third essay, Mr. Ritchie examines J. S. Mill's doctrine of the infinite importance of liberty in the merely negative sense of "being left to one's-self," and goes on to consider "What is the End of the State," and "How to Apply our Principles." The last is a sympathetic and appreciative account of the Political Philosophy of Thomas Hill Green. In the appendix three questions are discussed, quite briefly, but with much suggestiveness: "The Distinction between Society and the State," "The Conception of Sovereignty," and "Utilitarianism." The whole book is eminently readable, and the lessons it so keenly inculcates are not yet as completely understood as they ought to be. OUR DESTINY. The Influence of Socialism on Morals and Religion, An Essay in Ethics by LAURENCE GRONLUND, M.A. [170 pp. 2s. 6d. Sonnenschein. London, 1890.] It is most interesting to compare this book with the author's former work, "The Co-operative Commonwealth." His point of view has completely changed. "I more and more have become convinced that Karl Marx's doctrine, that the bread-and-butter question is the motive force of progress, is not tenable, but that we must grasp the very highest moral and religious truths." Mr. Gronlund insists that the "working masses are "naturally religious at bottom;" and that what they chiefly need now is leaders, who "must come out from among our profoundly religious minds." ANTI-SLAVERY AND REFORM PAPERS. By HENry D. THOREAU. Selected and Edited by H. S. SALT. [141 pp. 2s. 6d. Sonnenschein. London, 1890.] Five essays by Thoreau are here reprinted, with an Introductory Note by the editor. They will help to show that Thoreau was not so indifferent about social subjects as some of his critics have tried to make out. THE EIGHT-HOURS DAY. BY SIDNEY WEBB, LL.B., Lecturer on Economics at the City of London College, and HAROLD Cox, B.A., late Scholar of Jesus College, Cambridge. [280 pp. 18. Scott. London, 1891]. However one may demur to the conclusions of the compilers of this manual, it is impossible not to admire the energy and ability with which the work has been carried out. The book is designed for practical purposes, and the various aspects of the subject-historical, economic, and social-are carefully and reasonably discussed. In fact it is quite a model of what such a study ought to be the arrangement of the whole is clear and skilful, and it is elaborated in a thoroughly capable and effective manner. POLITICAL MANUAL: A Manual of Political Questions of the Day, and the Arguments on either side; with an Introduction by SYDNEY BUXTON, M.P. [168 pp. 1s. Cassell. London, 1891.] A fourth edition bears witness to the continued popularity of short cuts to knowledge. In the present form some of the old sections have been omitted as out of date, and new subjects included,-e.g., Free Schools, Shorter Parliaments, Compensation in the Liquor Trade, an Eight-Hours Law, etc. PROBLEMS OF POVERTY: An Inquiry into the Industrial Condition of the Poor. By JOHN A. HOBSON, M.A., sometime Scholar of Lincoln College, Oxford. [232 pp. 2s. 6d. Methuen. London, 1891.] Mr. Hobson sets himself to consider some of the leading facts and forces in modern industrial life which have a direct bearing upon poverty, and to examine some of the proposed palliatives and remedies. The facts given are based upon trustworthy authorities; and the general treatment of the subject is careful and judicious.. WORK AND WAGES. Six Centuries of Work and Wages: A History of English Labour. By JAMES E. THOROLD ROGERS, M.P., (Abridged), with Charts and Appendix by the REV. W. D. P. BLISS. [160 pp. Crown 8vo. Humboldt. New York, 1890.] In a brief introduction Professor Ely marks the significance of the editor's work as showing the zeal of Christian Socialists in America in the dissemination of useful Economic information. "They mean to lay a solid basis for social reconstruction in a knowledge of past and present conditions." The appendices are interesting as giving an independent American view of industrial conditions in this country. The charts are well-drawn and useful. ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF POPE LEO XIII. ON THE CONDITION OF LABOUR. locuta est." "ROMA locuta est." "the momentous seriousness of the present state of things, which fills every mind with painful apprehension; wise men discuss it; practical men propose schemes; popular meetings, legislatures and sovereign princes all are occupied with it: and there is nothing which has a deeper hold on public attention." Already, in view of this critical condition of affairs, Rome has spoken to "the Venerable Brethren" on the Christian constitution of the State, on human liberty, on political power: and so again, now, in order that there may be no mistake as "to the principles which truth and justice dictate," she speaks on the condition of labour; and this she does in view of "the false teaching of crafty agitators, who are using the real evils of the hour in order to work on the poor man's envy of the rich, and to advance the perversions of Socialism." So stands the situation: and it touches the imagination on its kindliest side. The voice that speaks is that of the spiritual chief of the great Roman Communion, who is looking out from his high watch-tower, charged with immense responsibilities over the fortunes of that world which he surveys. He is venerable in years, venerable in character. His own private life, within that huge and splendid palace of his, is plain and simple as a child's; and his industry is incessant, and his intellectual faculties are keen, and his heart is tender, and his will is strong, and his sincerity is unsuspected, and his faith is firm, and his authority is high; and his tone is generous, and dignified, and finely strung; and his appeal is made to the noblest motives, that work under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the sanction of Jesus Christ. VOL. I.-No. 4. 2 H |