Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-01
THE STORY OF THE NATIONS-THE
COMING OF PARLIAMENT; England

tory" New York: G. P Putnam's
Sons. Washington: Woodward &
Lothrop.
The rise of the British parliament from
negligible factor to a dominant Institution
in the British political system marks one
of the most momentous epochs in the
worlds history. 1t is in reality the be-
ginning of practicable free government.
1t required three centuries for the English
people to gain the new point of view, that
representative government was necessary
institution, in the sense of being actual
and not merely potential. When the Ie-
form came, with Cromwell, it went too
far as is often the case, and carried away
so much that was fundamentally a part
of the English system that reaction fol-
lowed. But what Cromwell did for repre-
sentative rule not even the Restoration
could wholly undo, and the results of his
gigantic work have remained permanent.
In order to appreciate the true significance
OF this change 1T is necessary to go back
TO the reign of Edward Ill and trace the
elements that gradually concentered in the
great revolt of 1640. This has been well
done in the present volume, in a plain
narrative style and with evidence of palms.
taking research. A complete index and
an excellenuy arranged chronological table
add greatly to the value of the book as
work OF reference or study.
THE MEDIEVAL TOWN sERIEs-THE
STORY OF VENICE. By Thomas
Okey. Illustrated by Nelly Erickson.
London: j, NJ Dent & Co. New York:
The MacmillaH COMPANY. Washing
ton: Brentano.s.
''The word venstia, quotes the author
from francesca Sansoyino SIS interpreted
by some to mean xeni sEtiam, which is to
say, Come again aid. again for how many
times soever thouSshaltsceme, new things
and naw bao,,tia,, kla, al Gao
This is doubtlessSthe reason why there is
always a welcomesfor anew book on Ven
ice. All who are more or less familiar
with the ancient eityi will be eager to note
II the latest writeE has found any of these
new things and new beauties" and those
who have never fet the subtle fascina-
ton of the canals and the lagoon will be
interested to acquire whatever ne may
have to offer of new or old information.
Mr.. Okey's work in this excellent series is
admirably done. He tells the history of
Venice with due appreciation of Its I'M
portance In the economy of the world in
the middle ages He describes the art
works and the relics now visible With evil
dence of long familiarity and proper
measure of critical ijudgment. The Illus
traitors contribution is in thorough SYM
pathy with the text, and offers together
with reproductions of some of the most
famous paintings, a visual evidence of the
charms of the city.
RELIGION AND ART, and Other Es-
says. By Rt. Rev. J. L. Spalding,
Bishop of Peoria. Chicago: A. c. Nc
Clurg & Co.
Bishop Spalding now contributes an av-
erage of a book of essays each year to a
steadily widening circle of readers. who
have come to appreciate and eagerly to
watch for these annual contributions to
modern thought. His style is such as to
refute the reproach of critics that essay
writing is a lost art. In this small vol
ume of five essays he discusses religion
and art. the development of educational
IDEAS in the nineteenth century, the mean
ing and worth of education. the physi-
clans calling and social questions