The Press.
London, England, 1854-03-25 00:00:00

tt, 1854

is much good sensein his "Observations" The Go-
vernment bill, after abolishing the power of removal,
wovides that,
" thronghout those parts of England and Wales which
are contained in unions formed under the Poor Law
Amendment Act, the whole burden of maintaining the
poor is, as soon as the hilt comes into full operation, to he
tonne as a charge on the common fund of the union, and
the parishes are respectively to contribute towards that
burden 'according to the annual value of the property in
such parishes respectively.' rhis proposal in effect deals
with the whole union, at the end of a term of ten years, as
if it were one parish, and levies the funds for relieving the
poor upon all the rateable property throughout such union,
in proportion merely to the value of the property, without
regard to-the parish in which it is situate."
The effect of this would be that some parishes, which
now contribute much less than the average charge
towards the maintenance of the poor, would have to
contribute largely in excess of the average of the
whole country. This alteration in a charge on land,
which has endured nearly 250 years, Mr. Pashley re-
gards as a pro tanto confiscation of the fee-simple
value of real estate. The learned gentleman raises
many other minor objections to the Government
measure, and concludes by suggesting what he con-
ceives to be a better Plan. of his own.
One or Two Remarks on the Law Relating to Combi-
nations. By a Member of the Temple. London :
Kenning and Co.
THE author thinks combinations of masters on the
one side, and men on the other, to raise money for
the purpose of carrying on the war of strikes and
lock-outs, is illegal, but, to put it beyond all doubt,
proposes to pass an act prohibiting these associations.
We do not think these combinations are illegal, and
doubt the policy of making them so.
Preface to the Second Edition of the Russo-Turkish
Campaigns of 1828 and 1829. By Colonel
Chesney, lt.A., D.C.L., F.R.S. London : Smith,
Elder, and Co.
WE lately reviewed the work of which this is the pre-
face, but events are hurrying on so fast that any
fresh remarks from so high an authority as Colonel
Chesney will not fail to auraot attention. In June
last the author submitted to the Turkish Govern-
ment a plan of a defensive campaign in the minci-
palities. It was to push on and meet the Russians
on the Pruth, to offer no serious resistance beyond
obstructing their progress and depriving them of
supplies, and thus, gradually falling back, make
the Danube, with its fortresseS' the first line of real
defence. If there are defects in the equipment of our
own expeditionary army, it is gratifying to find that
the medical department is not amongst them. This
is supplied on a scale of liberality "which has no
parallel." The commissariat is also well arranged,
" the soldier will be enabled to purchase in his can-
" tonments, and at a low price, the best porter,
" ale, chocolate, coffee, Szc." Successful resistance
by the Russians to such troops as. Englend and
France bring into the field Colonel Chesney looks
upon as impossible. The second year he thinks will
terminate the war. Suggestions tot simplifying and
improving the organisation of our artillery complete
the pamphlet of fifteen pages which this preface
forms.
Claudius Ptolemy and the Nile. By William Des-
borough Cooley. London : John W. Parker and
Son.
•A wows in which learning and logical power are
brought to hear on the geography of co with
the view of exposing its errors. As Ptolemy lived in
the 2nd century of our era, it is not surprising that
his critic in the 10th century has succeeded in his
attempt. Mr. Cooley questions the existence of the
mountains of the moon. It seems the Arabic word
which signifies "moon" closely resembles another
which means "pale green colour." In the concluding
pages some strong reasons are given for believing
that the Blue River is the true Nile. The 19th cen
tury is a great solver of problems, and doubtless, be-
fore its close, the lunar mountains and the stream of
mystery will, like the northern ice, have been ex•
plored by their M‘Clure.
China : her Future and her Past. By George Smith,
D.D., Bishop of Victoria. London : Hatchard.
This is a charge delivered to " the Anglican clergy"
at Sbanghae, in .October, 1853, The address is
chiefly occupied in discussing what effect passing
events in China will have on the extension of religion
and the status of the missionaries. The conclusion at
which the bishop arrives is that the success of the
insurgents will be favourable to both. The matter
of the charge is interesting, but the manner, as the
reader will perceive, is occasionally too magniloquent.

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