The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1908-10-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE MAGAZINES.  Among the leading articles in this week's "Spectator" the most generally interesting. we think, is that dealing With the Congress held at Oxford last week. This Congress, the third, is.regarded as marking a great advance of interest ill religions, and more especially the history of religions. The writer deals wisely yet restrainedly with the tinestion of the relationship between religion and the State. He concludes: "The history of the last fifty years . . justifies the view that any official tiormeotion with religion—at all events, with any one specific religion—will be more difficult to maintain, and that the claim of Governments and Parliaments to the goodwill of the nation will more and more be rested on `reasonable expediency' and 'efficient ad[ministration.' We hold that the working out of this change will breed grate difficulties of its own . . . All the same, we 6eem steadily advancing towards a state of things in which morality will be asked to dispense With nlany of the religious sanctions which have hitherto sheltered- it.. and in the end it Will certainly find it hardto what it has lost: in another leading article the sensational Press Is fiercely assailed, the text being the circumstances surrounding the lamentable suicide of General Luard. The principal literary item is the review of Miss Ellen Terry's vastly interesting- reminiscences:  A careful study of the "Nation" from week to week is in itself an education in the philosophy of Liberalism. The leading articles are invariably sane and readable, and the sections devoted to literature, book reviews. etc., always deserve thoughtful study. • Attention- is devoted this Week to the American. Presidential campaign. Dealing with Mr. Ilearsts' revelations,' "The Nation" says it would he futile at present to assess the effect of his disclosures upon the fortunes of his own or any other party. Their interest, indeed, transcends all mere electioneering considerations. They raise what threatens to be a permanent and what is certainly one of the most momentous problems in American politios—the problem of the illicit and unwholesome influence of the big corporations upon the public life of .the country. That influence is far- from being limited to contributions to the funds of both parties . . Writing cheques for the party funds has never been the most pernicious of the trusts' political activities . They have dictated Policies, they have selected candidates. Having wealth, and needing power, they have allied themselves with the politicians who have power and need wealth. The result-is, that from the smallest municipality in the country up to the United States Senate itself. there is hardly an elected body of any kind that does not contain some members who are the nominees .of one or other of the trusts, and charged with the well-understood mission of protecting its interests at 'any costs."  The October number of the "Girl's Realm" /3 remarkable for its interesting and well-illustrated articles. It openei with an account of Franeisoue Poulbot the famous Paris child-painter, by Lily }haler, with charming photographisOf some of. the artist's sketches and Models by Henri Manual. The article first describes how Poulbot became an artist, and why it was that he chose children for his studiee. Pictures are given of his famous dolls, and the text tells us how he makes them play-such an important part in his work. "The Sporting Dogs at School," by H. L. Adam; next attracts our attention,- from which we learn many useful hints concerning the upbringing of doire.A delightful children's story follows, writteh in a fresh .stylr;, by Frede- ' rica J. Tune, in which two of "The. Naughtiest Children in the World" are admirably portrayed. Many lovers of little children, and even little children themselves, will be charmed at the next article, entitled "Cotton - Wool Animals." by M.S.C.S. The author shows in a clear description, aided by • excellent illustrations,' the precise method of Making a cotton-wool pig. -Pictures of other animals which can be made in a similar manner are also given. The onl# materials needed' tor- this entrancing occupation are some ordinary fine wire, a roll of cotton-wool. and some fine scissors. Both serials end this Month, we expect to the disappointment of many, which will, however. be tempered with relief when it is found that they end in the right way. "The Vagaries of Fashion," by H. Pearl Humphrey. is very amusing, and is cleverly illustrated by Dorothy Fur-1466. There is also an interesting article, stating how important it is for girlsinten& ing to go out to the Colonies to fit themselves for their future lives. This fast has at last been recognised, and a Colonial Training School has now been established for this purpose at Hitchin, Herts. The story of a Home-made Drees and the anxiety of its wearer, is very vividly .told by Evelyn Sharp. and the magazine concludes with an article on Girls Sports in which Portraits are given a our leading girl athletes in England.  Government Publiostions.--Messra. Wyman and Sons. Limited, Official Sale Agent. in England and Wales for Parliamentary Papers and Stationery Office Publications, beg to notify that they have published the following :—The Potitmaster-Garis 54th Report, 53d. National Education, Ireland: Report of the Commissioners, sd. Pauperism Statement), lid. Registry of Ships, August, 3d. H.M. Custom., 52nd Report of the Commissioners. 44. Education: Legislation and Grants (Agrioultural).  -"•Csaant.o" the nne and only—only one— Roe iinine OT glass.hottle, sixes -Id.. 2d.. 3d.-, gd.