Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 10.djvu/187

 9's.x.AuG.3o,i902.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

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within recent years that its superiority to other methods has been made obvious. The ' Prefatory Essay ' to the fourth volume is by Sir Leslie Stephen, and is on ' The Growth of Toleration,' one of the least obtrusive, though one of the most significant features of modern life. A digest of what is main- tained is not to be attempted. Scarcely one here and there can be found among our readers who is ignorant of the laws of thought Sir Leslie defends. We quote two sentences only from a powerfully

argued article : " It may be laid down absolutely

that to suppress freedom of discussion is, so far, invariably Dad," and " The argument that free thought leads to scepticism is s^uicidal ; for a doc- trine which can be destroyed bj exposure to argu- ment must be a doctrine which it is irrational to believe."

' English Literature ' is a subject in which prefer- ences and convictions are likely to assert them- selves. It is accordingly improbable that any intelligent reader will find himself in complete accord with all the opinions expressed. Greatly as we admire Robert Louis Stevenson, wa are not prepared to take Mr. Gosse's estimate. Among the poets we find no mention of William Johnson Cory, whose 'lonica' shows the highest lyrical water - mark among minor poets. From a list including a good many names of no signal signifi- cance ? we miss those of the Laureate (surely a cynical omission) and of Mr. Austin Dobson. We do not know if Mr. Dobson's name is recognized under another heading, but it merits recognition, as does that of T. E. Brown. The prolonged existence of Mr. Bailey should also be noted. The entire article is disappointing. 'English History,' by Sir Spencer Walpole, gives a good summary of political, social, and military history, and closes with the death of Queen Victoria. With it should be read the ' English Law ' of Prof. Mait- land. Under ' Engraving ' it is said that the history of line engraving in Engand shows con- tinuous decay, while what survival is witnessed in France is due to official encouragement. Prof. Ernest Gardner has a short but valuable article on Under 'Ethics,' Prof. Stewart, following Prof. Sidgwick, the author of the previous essay, shows how in the last quarter of the nineteenth century evolutionary ethics in England became more Dar- winian, and indicates our obligation to the recent teaching of Mr. Spencer, Sir Leslie Stephen, and Prof. Alexander. ' Europe ' is naturally an im- portant article, though much political interest is anticipated or supplemented under other headings, as under ' France,' by Mr. Bodley and the Hon. Maurice Baring. It is edifying to contrast the grave views entertained by the former concerning French statesmanship and politics with the cheer- ful optimism of the latter when dealing with French literature. In the France of the past hall century the genius of Gustavo Flaubert is held to overshadow all other writers. The Third Republic can count at least three writers of genius, Zola, Daudet, Maupassant, and two other producers oi exquisite art, Pierre Loti and Anatole France. A special subject is 'Exhibitions.' ' Fire and Fire Extinction ' has immediate interest, Capt. Wells treating of the portion concerned with Britain, and General Rockwell describing American methods of dealing with tire. Prince Kropotkin is respon sible for ' Finland.' ' Forests and Forestry' has maps of the forest regions in the United States. The
 * Epidaurus ' and the recent historical discoveries.

annexation by Japan of Formosa gives interest to sland. The Rev. W. Hunt sends a sympathetic account of his colleague E. A. Freeman. He deals also with Froude. An all-important article on 'Geology,' is by Sir Archibald Geikie. Compara- ively little has to be added to what was said in he ' Encyclopaedia Britannica,' recent discoveries laving done little to furnish new theories. In Germany ' the influence of Nietzsche is regarded as assertive, and that writer is said best to embody the spirit of the period under contemplation. No single lyrist of the first order is to be indicated, except Liliencron, who, of course, belongs to the older generation. The life of Gerome is accom- panied by a reproduction of his well-known and melodramatic ' Duel after a Masquerade,' which is called 'The Duel, after the Ball.' Mr. F. G. Stephens supplies the life of Sir John Gilbert, which is accompanied by a rather misty design of 'The Return of the Victor.' The life of Gladstone is comparatively long, and is naturally political.
 * he account, historical and descriptive, of that

Bermondsey : its Historic Memories and Associa- tions. By Edward T. Clarke. (Stock.) THE favourable reception accorded Mr. Clarke's excellent history of Bermondsey has justified its appearance in a new and cheaper edition. So far as we recall, this is in no way inferior in attraction to the former edition.Jiaving the same illustrations as regards designs, -maps, &c. It offers great temptations to the collectors of works on London, and should find a place among all topographical and most archaeological collections.

Cardiff Records. Edited by John Hobson Mat- thews. Vol. III. ( Sotheran & Co.) STEADY progress is being made in the publication, under the able editorship of Mr. John Hobson Matthews, of the Cardiff Records, a profitable task, undertaken by authority of the Corporation and under the direction of its Records Committee. At the outset we drew attention to the importance of the work undertaken and the public spirit ex- hibited by the Corporation (see 9 th S. iii. 238). The first volume appeared in 1898, the second in 1900, and the third is now seen. The work is maintained on the high plane on which it started, and stands con- spicuous and even eminent among publications of its class. Vol.'iii. opens with further charters and patents. Three of them are of exceptional interest. The first, which is very faint and decayed, is dated on the 15th day of May in the sixth year of John (1205), confirms to Margam Abbey and the monks serving God there the grants of various donors, Anglo-Norman and Welsh, with the right to have and hold in peace " quietly, entirely, fully, and honourably," according to the quaint Latin for- mulary, "In bosco & piano, In viis & semitis, In aquis & molendinis, In uiuariis & stagnis, In maris & marisc', In turbariis & piscariis, In pratis & pascuis & pastur's & i omnib's aliis locis & reVs," &c. On 9 September of the same year is granted to the Bishop of Llandaff permission to hold a yearly fair and a weekly market at Llandaff the fair from the Saturdayto Tuesday of Whitsuntide, and the market every Sunday. Llandaff fair was suppressed about 1880, owing to the rowdyism which prevailed. A third charter of 18 Edward I., 1290, deals with the rights claimed by the Lords of Glamorgan to exercise regal rights within their palatinate. Amongst the Patent Rolls which