New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-16
JOHN BTLLS ISLAND.
ENGLISH INSTITUTIONS EXPLAINED

ENGLISH INSTITUTIONS ENPLAlNED'
THE ENGLTsHMAN AT HOME; H I5 T rGsP9n
sbili;es and privileges. By Edward forriht
PIP. xiv, 37s Thomas y. CroweH q 70
There is little philosophy in this book and no
humor II the reader expects something like Mr..
Bryces study Of American institutions on the
one hand or Max ORelrs John Bull and his
Island" on the other. he will be disappointed
But if he Is looking for a convenient nahdpook
which explains the political and social duties OF
the English subject, this appears to De sa,''-
factory The author was at one time the hohuo"
editor Of The Manchester Guardian. i''e' Nv
became n resident OF the United states ''di'i'it
American politics and American newspaper He'h-
DDS in ST. Louis He and does look al Eng
lsh ways of doing things not merely as one WIN
has shared them. but as one Wno' WIN 'NPo
rience in a different environment. can inspect
them from the outside He knows the points
which are most likely to puzzle an American Ill
contact with English institutions ana prdcuces
for the first time. and. SO far as an outSiurf va"
irdgc he touches them all Beginning with those
institutions which nearest 70 the people ana
with which the people are most frequently in
touch. he first explains municipal ADMINISTRATOR"
lie then treats of the Poor law system. elemen-
tarv education the administration OF justice
by the courts, criminal and civil. He traces the
labyrinth of rates and taxes Turning to farha-
ment and the constituencies. he tells now eiec-
tions are carried what the restrictions are upon
bribery and corruption He analyses the stages
of legislative procedure and the me mods oil the
administrative departments. There are chapters
on the Church of England. on nonconiorii'tN' inc
military. naval and civil services; labor iesiS'a-
ton In its various phases; the land ana us OWL
ers. and the daily press and its influences rs
he SAYS. each year sees growing interest on the
mar, Of Americans in England and English
affairs The student Of society and politics seeks
in England the beginnings Of institutions which
have been evolved on this side Of the Atlantic
The number Of visitors TO England from America
steadily Increases and there is constant enlarge
ment in IN" volume OF news. particularly by cande
from England. lie has aimed 10 make the book
mot only Of uic ana Interest to students "i
civi,s and Of English history and contemporary
politics but also Of value to American VISITORS 10
England and to readers Of English news in the
American press
His method is to clucidate his statements by
the details Of typical cases. and he brings out
the facts moro clearly by comparison. as when II"
nlacos together the figures that show the cost 81
local administration in London and In the prov
inccs In general ne writes as an admi"r al
the institutions which ne describes. The ~
0cicncv If the system for relieving the poor an
for the education Of youth lose no good PiaIity
in his description. In AL drcrtons-n III"
Church in the affairs q labor. In the relation OF
land owners T. the general puhhc-he gives MS
testimony 10 the hoalthfuness and IN" moiera-
tion ~ all processes II r.form. Speaking Of Nh"
land and its owners. h. remarks that ""f late
years the Radicals have concentrated tnclT ell
forts on the reform Of The country magis'r''y.
Sooner or later they Will succeed. and Their sue
cess I'm this direction will also mean the break
ing down Of the present system II summpning
grand iurirs exclusively from tn" iind-o"h''"-
When these privileges associated with Land.
IN connection with the uaglstracy are gone.
uttlo will be- left - the Ian i-owners but The Lord
Lieut.nancy and the Office Of High Sheriff go
that - the squircarohy 10 political privileges
worth the having will remain.
Mr. Porrltt cnlargcs also upon ihe freedom 81
the press. This began with the repeal 81 Inc
last impost IN 49,. ana H. therefore dates Inc
era OF the daily press in England from ABOUT
1850 Before that date. while newspapers were
not directly subsidized. some Of them were IN
nuenced by advertising patronage. by Once con-
rorro1 on proprie,ors or editors. and by other
privileges Newspaper writer's were th'h J"
touch with the Ministry. They had eN'lusiN"
information when II could b. given thrm anu
,beir editorial utteranccs were spoken ~ ~ In
spired Ciyl service reform ala away Win S'"'
abuses Al present about all mat can be- d'h'
for a newspaper 10y the Government Is I" pace
il on the list II those which may have snare
In tin. official advertising and be entitled 10 re-
ceiye official communications sent out by me de-
uartmcnts II administration. The value 81 these
privileges may be guessed when !; Is under
stood that few. II any. daily journals get GOV
eminent Advertising 10 the value u more IMAM
81 600 But 81 late years a new system 81 f"-
wards intangible. but highly esteemed by ring
Ishmcn has been devised. There - s'arc'Y
large city in Great Britain In which there Is not
n titled journalist. The rule Is barohct'"S '"'
proprietors and knighthood Tor edit'fS
haronetcy confers an hereditary title upon the
REGIMENT Of the honor; the title of knight dies
with its holder.