Victory Begins at Horne. By G. H.
Gretton. (George Allen and Unwin, 7s. 6d.)
Reviewed by CHARLES C. MORTIMER.
THE author's suggestions for improving our post-war world are marked by common sense rather than by any striking originality. As regards the religious education of the young and the questOn of the land, he expresses views that of course a Catholic could hardly be expected to entertain, for " religion " once more is to be that dreary syllabus, drawn up by a committee of " all the Churches "; arid the land is to be taken out of the hands of the private owner and farms and be Stale-owned and State
inspected. s
But we arc certainly prepared to endorse many of the views of Mr. Gretton when he condemns racketeering. pleads the case of the individual craftsman, advocates a minimum wage, and higher wages for the married, or when he takes up the cudgels for the school teachers.
THE latter, be says, should be relieved
or many of their out-of-school activities, for these make a heavy demand on time and energy. There is in fact a widespread theory in England that teaching is a " soft job " and that anyone can sit down with a book and instruct a class of twenty to even fifty scholars. Anyone can waste their time, of course, but few can teach and handle a class, and those few make large demands on their own nervous energy. Fair conditions for the teacher, then as Mr. Gretton obviously implies-are just as important as fair conditions for the taught: both are in fact on triel. both taught and teacher.
Mr. Gretton considers that the public schools should he thrown open to all classes anet that bright scholars at 12-13 drawn Front any cities should have their chance of the public school tradition and the Univers sey-while those not so gifted should pass
through the " secondary schools." Here, in my view, we are on very debatable
ground and in any case 12-13 is far too earl) to start separating the sheep from the goats, Some young people never really start thinking or working till they are about 15. It is rather the University than the public school that should have the widest possible gates of admission.
THE author's defence of family life is admirable:. here he bases himself on the Church's manifesto and shows a practical grip on many of the ills and delusions of our day. He makes the suggestion that when the war is over an Allied victory being taken for granted-we should imme diately raise the food-blockade. This, he thinks, would be excellent propaganda and in addition it is a Christian duty to feed the staiving poor-the women and children in Germany who had no share in the responsibility for the war. There is no doubt that the world-victors will have to do some world-planning: we do not envy them their task, but it must be faced. But how can this be based on anything but a benevolent autocracy?
ANSWERS TO
ECCLESIASTICAL QUIZ Questions are on page 2.
1. Pentecost (Greek for fiftieth) is a very ancient feast fifty days after Easter. and rounding off the Pascal season, To introduce that season solemnly, Quinquagesima (Latin or fiftieth) was instituted fifty days before Easter. Two other Sundays were again tacked on for more remote preparation, and the counting of days was done in round numbers instead of in sevens: hence
Sexagesima and Septuagesima. 2. It is forty days after Christmas. the time required by Jewish law for purification after childbirth. 3. Because of the last words or :he Gospel, our Lord being " A light for the revelation of the Gentiles,4. In times of trouble, thunderstorms, childbirth and at the hour of death. 5. At least twelve. 6. When it is sung by the bishop in his own diocese, but not solemn requiems.