My Work in London. By Arthur W. Jephson. (Sir Isaac
Pitman and Sons. 3s. 6cL net.)—Mr. Jephson is very much in earnest, and sometimes, as is the way with such persons, loses his head a little. Here is an example of a charitable " believing all things " The School Board for London was killed by the Tory Party, expressly, I always believed, for the purpose of deAroying the London County Council with too much work, and so bringing that body with all its record to humiliation." But this does not prevent Mr. Jephson from showing good sense on the subject of education. "There are not more than 200 or 300 English words in common use by the children." The teacher must get his instruction approximately into that very narrow space. " When Lord Halifax and Dr. Clifford have drawn up their system of theology in the 200 words in common use," then we will listen to them. Mr. Jephson, too, says other hard things about the Tories ; but he does not spare the Socialists. He sees quite plainly that one great factor in the unemployed problem is the common dislike of regular work. He speaks some home truths about the " Social Evil," and the official neglect to deal with it, and urges, in particular, a more strict application of the Aliens Act. One neutral instance of Mr. Jephson's over-zeal may be given. He hopes that the use of preservatives in milk may be made impossible (p. 146). Does he know that all the milk used in towns is at least fourteen hours old, and that some preservatives must be used ? In thundery weather even the afternoon "meal" will not last through the night, however carefully kept. Boiling may suffice, but all the London milk cannot be boiled when there is thunder about.
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