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above the level of bric-à-brac and chromos, while the father is quite content with his newspaper."[1]

Also, Dr. Patten's failure to recognize the splendid work that is being done in the field of sociology today, and his lack of appreciation of the achievements of his brother-scientists along lines so near to those of his own interest, are much to be regretted. Speaking of the emphasis Mill placed on the new sciences of ethology and sociology, he takes occasion to say: "The new sciences were yet to be made, and, unfortunately for Mill's reputation as a prophet, are still to be made." Mill let ethology drop, and no one has since taken it up. "Nor has sociology fared much better," he continues. "Until recently it was made up of a few analogies derived from biology, and even now it is not far enough advanced to obtain general recognition nor to have its method well defined."[2]

Thus, while we cannot agree with all that Dr. Patten says, while we must feel that there are important omissions in his book, while we must admit the biased attitude of the author, yet we are glad to welcome The Development of English Thought as an original, strong, and suggestive contribution to the economic and philosophic literature of the day. Sadie E. Simons.

Central High School, Washington, D. C.



Problems of Modern Industry. By Sidney and Beatrice Webb. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1898. Pp. 286. $2.50.

These gifted writers have collected a number of papers into an interesting volume of studies of English industrial conditions. "The Diary of an Investigator" shows a shrewd observer in contact with the life of the London sewing women. "The Jews of East London" introduces us to a world little known, perhaps, to wealthy members of the same race. Two chapters are given to questions of women workers, their wages, and the factory acts which aim to protect them. The latter part of the book is an interpretation of the socialistic program from the Fabian point of view. The relationship between cooperation and trade-unionism is the subject of an important chapter. The poor law is studied in connection with the general movement for enlarging the functions of the state.

  1. P. 385.
  2. P. 332.