The sun., 1919-06-15

HNE of the most notable curiosities OF
~ English literature issuing out OF
the great war is the production of new
history of the United States by private
soldier in the British army. Before the
book was published here he had given up
his life for his country in consequence OF
exposure in the last fierce fighting preced-
ing the armistice.
Cecil Chesterton was always best known
to the world as a brilliant brother of a
more famous author-Gibert K. Chester
ton, the essayist and novelist, whose mas.
terry Of paradox has won for him place OF
unique distinction among English men OF
letters. A journalist by profession until
he entered the army by enlisting in the
Highland Light Infantry in 1917, Cecil
Chesterton had been an earnest advocate
of socialism of the Fabian Society type
in early life, but subsequently realized
the FILTHY of the cult and abandoned it
In 1914 he visited this country and made
a favorable impression as lecturer.
The present history, which he denomi-
mates a short sketch of the story of a
great people, was written, he tells us, to
discharge some part of the heavy debt of
gratitude which he felt he owed to Amer
lea for the hospitality shown him here
during the early months of the war. The
spirit which prompted the author is aptly
indicated by the dedication, which reads
as follows:
Dedicated to my comrade and hospital
mate, Lance Corporal Wood of the Kings
Own, Liverpool; citizen of Massachusetts,
who joined the British Army in August,
1914.
a.. o more than my brother, how
shall / thank thee for it ALI
Each of the heroes around us has fought
for his house and his line,
But thou hast fought for stranger, in
hate of a wrong not thine.
Happy are all free people too strong to
be dispossessed,
But happiest those among nations that
dare to be strong for the rest
ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING"
Cecil Chesterton's purpose in writing
this sketch of the history of the United
States at this time was to cement the fast
growing friendship arising out of the par
ticipation of Britons and Americans in
the defence of civilization against German
military aggression. A thoroughly good
understanding of one another is essential
to the welfare of both nations. He be-
lieves that ignorance of each others his
tory is perhaps the greatest menace to
such an understanding.
II believe" be says, "that with all my
limitations, can tell my fellow country
men things about the history of America
which they do not know. 1t would be alb
surd effrontery to pretend that 1 can tell
Americans what they do not know. For
them, whatever interest this book may pos
sess must depend upon the value of a
foreigners Interpretation of the facts. l
know that should be extraordinarily in
terested in an Americans view of the
story of England since the separation;
and / can only hope that some degree of
such interest may attach to these pages in
American eyes" His brother tells us that
it was source of satisfaction to him that
before death came he had been able "often
in the intervals of bitter warfare and by
the aid of brilliant memory to put to-
gether these pages on the history, so nee
essary and so strangely neglected, of the
great democracy which he never patron
lied, which he not only loved but hon
ored."
-. II.
A formal history of the United States
unless it be merely manual for school
purposes-cannot be comprised within
800 octave pages printed in large type.
Cecil Chesterton's book is really his
torical review of our political and social