CURRENT LITERATURE.
Political Economy for Beginners. By Millicent Garrett Fawcett. (Macmillan).—Mrs. Fawcett's book is intended as " an assistance to those who are desirous of introducing the study of political economy into schools." That the number of subjects which people—and all of them armed with the most forcible arguments—" are desirous of intro- ducing into schools" is simply appalling to those who know the con- ditions ender which teaching and learning must be carried on, does not hinder us from heartily welcoming Mrs. Fawcett's little book. Political economy has, beyond all question, claims of a very high order. It would not be easy, for instance, to overrate its importance as a study subsidiary to that of history. And Mrs. Fawcett's little treatise is perfectly suited to its purpose ; it is clear, concise, and lively, putting the subject in a way as suitable for boys as could be. Especially on this point we would note Mrs. Fawcett's judicious use of M. Bastiat's admirable illustrations. Good illustrations are, in such a subject, what action, according to the dictum of Demosthenes, is to the orator. Of course there are points on which we feel disposed to differ from the views laid down hero, but we willingly acknowledge their general soundness. We think, to take one instance, that an attempt might have been made to explain the nature Of rent. It is not true to say of the owners of cultivated land that "neither they nor any other persons have assisted to produce it." May we not, on the contrary, describe rent as representing the labour and capital expended in bringing the land into cultivation ? Of course, in a country like this, a thousand things have interrupted the descent of this value. But in Australia, supposing, as is quite possible, that no revolution or conquest disturbs rights of ownership, it would be quite possible a thousand years hence to trace a direct connection between the rent which Z receives for his land and the expenditture which A, whom he represents, made in reclaiming it from the bush.
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