It is a pity that an undergraduate's damp squib should
have been allowed to figure among the fascinating intellectual fireworks of the " To-day and To-morrow Series " (Kegan Paul, 2s. 6d.). Mr. Julian Hall, recently of Balliol, • has failed conspicuously to grasp his opportunities in Alma Mater nr The Future of Oxford and Cambridge. He has simply given us a rather tiresome by-product of an intelligence moulded to its present form by too deep draughts of Wells
The fit but few among undergraduates of the present genera- tion, we are told, " think not of party. programmes and of remedial legislation," but are open conspirators with their minds set upon a scientifically organized world of which the basis is to be economic unity. These have the monopoly it appears, of vision and enthusiasm, while the majority are amiable sceptics, without guiding purpose, lacking ahove all any missionary sense, yet-7-and this is their ready to give of their best in what they do and also to expect efficiency in performance. The author's conclusion is that the conspiratorial groups must go on from strength.to strength, since they alone are a positive force, and as they multiply will replace the breeding-ground of the sceptics by research stations, " each representing a practical department of world activity," where earnest youth will gather knowledge-7 teaching will be, of course, quite unnecessaryand then present it to a hushed world. Think again, Mr. Hall, when you have come into contact with human beings of flesh and
blood. • • * S * * ' '
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