418 GEOGRAPHIC LITERATURE 



traceable to the human factor in the arborean environment), and to the 

 means of counteracting these enemies. So the treatment is notably 

 broad and comprehensive; yet the grasp displayed in each chapter, and 

 indeed each paragraph, is strong and close. The book may be 



commended, no less to teachers and pupils than to general readers, as an 

 example of scientific method applied to an important practical subject ; 

 it may be commended to makers of scientific books as a model, and to 

 laymen as a worthy bit of literature of the objective sort. The author 

 and the Agricultural Department are alike to be congratulated on its 

 appearance. 



W J M. 



Tlie Break-up of China. By Lord Charles Beresford. 8vo, pp xxii + 491, 

 with portraits and maps. New York and London : Harper and 

 Brothers. 1899. $3.00. 



Sir Stafford Northcote was sagacious when, in behalf of the Associated 

 Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain, he selected Lord Charles Beres- 

 ford as the man to visit China and report upon British interests in that 

 empire. Rarely, if ever, has one uniting so high rank, recognized 

 ability, and wide experience been sent as an envoy of commerce on a 

 tour of inspection. All doors would open before him. He would observe 

 carefully, make no blunders, and afterward narrate just what he had seen. 



Reaching Hongkong September 30, 1898, he did not leave China until 

 January 9, 1899. During that time the Chinese government did all in its 

 power to further his mission. Though invested with no diplomatic func- 

 tions, he found everywhere the highest authorities— Tsungdi Yamen, 

 viceroys, mandarins, governors, admirals— accessible and sympathetic. 

 He " inspected the whole military force of China, and by permission of 

 the generals put the troops through the various movements, in order to 

 test their efficiency." He "visited every fort, every arsenal, with one 

 exception, and all the naval and military schools ; also the ships of both 

 the Chinese fleets, viz., the Peyang and Nanyang squadrons, and one 

 dockyard." He "visited those places where British communities reside 

 and wherever there was a chamber of commerce convened meetings" 

 and "obtained the opinions of the members;" nor did he lose an op- 

 portunity "of seeking interviews with representatives of all foreign 

 nations holding trading interests in China." On leaving that country 

 he returned home through Japan and the United States, " hoping to be 

 able to obtain from the chambers of commerce some definite opinions for 

 the Associated Chambers of Great Britain." 



The results of his faithful observation and investigation are set forth in 

 this somewhat ponderous book. Lord Beresford terms it " a plain state- 

 ment of valuable facts for immediate use." A large part of this informa- 

 tion is accessible nowhere else. Because of the known reputation of the 

 author, its statements, as far as they are statements of facts and not per- 

 sonal inferences and opinions, are entitled to full credit. 



The title, "The Break-upof China," expresses whattheauthor realizes 

 is becoming a fact. This catastrophe he deplores, believing it injurious 

 to Great Britain. A patriotic British subject, his outspoken and only 

 concern is the advancement of British interests. There is no hypocrisy or 



