IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 85. 
20 [Jan u ary, 1902.] 
.Singapore amounted to $9,697,310 ; this included bullion, specie and silver coin (dollars) 
valued at §270,937. The principal articles were gambxer, pepper, sago, tapioca, manufac- 
tured and raft timber, rattans, tin ore, fish, fruits, coffee, areca nuts, copra, preserved pine- 
apples, gutta percha, etc. 
The imports from Singapore into Johor amounted to §6,241,403, including silver coin 
to the amount of $3,021,615, so it is stated. The chief imports were fish, rice, poultry, swine, 
grains, flour, provisions, sugar, tea, tobacco, oils, manufactured articles, cotton goods, 
hardware, iron, joss paper, lime, tools, matches, machinery, beer, spirits, gunpowder. 
Opium, from which the revenue is chiefly derived, is not mentioned, neither is copper coin — 
nor various other items — many of foreign make. When the Trans-Continental Railway 
from Adelaide to Port Darwin is finished (2,000 miles) and the line from Singapore to India 
(l, 600 miles) is made, Johor will participate in the advantages and possibilities that Singapore 
will enjoy in, it is to be hoped, the near future. 

NEW BOOKS, etc. 
Cassell and Company, Limited. (London, 1901.) The Earth's Beginning. By 
Sir Robert Staweli. Ball, LL.D., F.R.S. With four coloured plates and 
numerous illustrations. Svo., pp. 384. (Price 7s. 6d.) The author of this attractive 
book is well-known for the excellent lectures he gave to a juvenile audience at the 
Royal Institution during the last winter, in which he presented his hearers with a clear 
and popular exposition of that branch of astronomy which treats of the evolution of 
the earth, the planets, and the sun from the primitive “fire-mist.” With some 
omissions and additions these lectures are set forth in the present volume, which will 
be read with much pleasure by all who are interested in the subject. To bring the 
stupendous facts and intricate problems of astronomy within the comprehension of 
children is no small intellectual feat, and the striking and familiar illustrations with 
which Sir R. Ball elucidates his discourse add greatly to the interest of the work. 
The book is written in a popular style with very few technicalities, so that the theories 
mentioned may be grasped readily by non-scientific readers. The doctrine of the 
evolution of our solar system from its nebula is well and clearly stated, and a graphic 
description is given of the volcanic eruption of Kra-Katoa in 1883, of which two 
artistically coloured illustrations are inserted in the volume. The study of astronomy 
does not receive the attention it deserves as a means of correcting wrong conclusions 
regarding the universe which are often met with. There are still many ill-educated 
persons who believe that the earth is flat, and who have but very vague notions of the 
firmament around them. The late Mr. R. Proctor did much to popularise the study, 
and to dissipate false ideas, but Sir R. Ball has presented the subject in so pleasing 
. a manner that his book cannot fail to arouse the keenest interest, and to induce 
its readers to pursue further the study of this fascinating and wonder-revealing 
• science. 
Charles Griffin and Company, Ltd. (London, 1901.) Year-Book of the Scientific 
and Learned Societies of Great Britain and Ireland , 1900-/90/. Eighteenth annual 
issue. Compiled from official sources. Svo., pp, 347. (Price, 7s. 6d.) The issue of 
this Year-book has been made to coincide with the termination of the sessional year 
(September to June) instead of with the calendar year, as heretofore. The present edition 
has therefore been enlarged in order to fill the gap of six months which would otherwise 
have been created, and the lists of papers now given comprise, with few exceptions, 
those read before the various Societies during the eighteen months which have elapsed 
since the last issue, viz., January, 1900 to June, 1901. This alteration will be most use- 
ful and increase the value of the Year-book as a work of reference to those engaged in 
literary and scientific work. 
Hazell, Watson and Viney, Ltd. (London, 1902.) Hazell's Annual for 1902; 
a Cyclopedic Record of Men and 'Topics of the Day. Revised to December 6th, 190 1. 
Edited by W. Palmer, B.A. (Lond.), Seventeenth year of issue. Sm. 8vo., pp. 
732. (Price 3s. 6d.) This well-known and most useful annual makes, as usual, an 
early appearance, and is quite up to date in all respects, showing the same careful 
editing as in previous issues. The present edition is greatly improved by a re-arrange- 
ment and consolidation of the articles relating to foreign countries. New articles 
have been inserted on the Armies and Navies of the World, the Trade of the World, the 
Mercantile Marine, Minerals, Railways, Industrial Trusts and Engineering schemes of 
the World, New Maps are given of the North-West frontier of India, showing clearly 
Russia’s position with regard to Afghanistan ; of Turkey and the Balkan peninsula ; 
and of the projected Isthmian Canal routes in Central America. An article on the 
Triple Alliance sums up the known facts with regard to that combination of Powers 
which has been, and will be, much discussed in connection with the new Customs 
Tariff of Germany and the approaching expiration of the European Commercial 
Treaties. The important events in China during the year are recorded, and the Peace 
Protocol is given in full ; the substance of the Canal Treaty with the United States is 
also inserted. Colonial affairs have received a large share of attention. The consti- 
tution of the Australian Commonwealth and a description of the inauguration ceremony 
will he found under “ Australia,” and the tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales 
and their reception by the Corporation of London on December 5, are duly recorded. 
New articles on home affairs have been added to the book, such as the Coronation 
Ceremony of 1902, the new Civil List, the 1901 Census, Factory and Workshop Act 
1901, etc. Nothing of any importance has been omitted. The quantity and variety of 
information to be found in this Annual render it unrivalled as a work of reference : it 
has become indispensable both to the politician and the writer, and will be found a 
most useful desk companion. 
Hind, Hoyle and Light, Ltd. (Art Publishers, Manchester, 1901. Port of Manchester ; 
a Sketch of the History and Development of the Manchester Ship Canal and Formation 
and Growth of the Cotton Association. By W. Burnett Tracey. Folio, pp. This 
handsomely illustrated volume presents an excellent idea of the magnitude and import- 
ance of the Manchester Ship Canal, a work which has contributed and will continue 
to contribute greatly to the prosperity of the city. A special chapter of the volume deals 
with the rise and growth of the Manchester Cotton Association, which benefits largely 
in the direct importation of cotton by means of the canal. The engineering details of 
the work of constructing the canal have been written 'by Sir E. Leader Williams, the 
engineer-in-chief, and now consulting engineer to the company, and two introductory 
articles are given, one by Mr. W. II. Linton on the movement and its pioneers, the 
other by Mr. F. E. Cornwall on the early pioneers of the ship canal. The history and 
development of the canal are well recounted by Mr. Tracey, and this book forms a 
splendid souvenir of one of the greatest engineering feats of modern times. The 
illustrations, which are all from photographs, are admirably produced ; the printing and 
binding are all that could be desired. 
JOHN Murray. (London, 1901.) The Growth of the Empire, a Handbook to the History 
of Greater Britain. By Arthur W. Jose. With 31 maps. 8vo., pp. xv. +422. 
(Price, 6s.) This book was first published in Sydney, and already several editions of it 
have appeared in Australia. It is written bv an Australian, and contains a concise 
account of the growth and development of the British Empire from its beginning in the time 
of Elizabeth down to the present day. The subject is of too vast dimensions to be fully 
discussed within the compass of a single volume of 400 pages. To those who have not 
time to peruse more lengthy histories, the book will convey a very clear and interesting 
account of the colonisation of various parts of the globe by the British race. This 
history has often been written, hut, as in Mr. Jose’s work it is viewed from a special 
standpoint, it contains much that is new and informing, The last chapter is perhaps 
the most important, as it gives the author’s views respecting recent imperial developments. 
An appreciative note is made with regard to the statesmanship of Mr. Cecil Rhodes, 
as displayed in the extension of British power in Africa, and the formation of a British 
South Africa dominion. The author concludes by saying that at last we begin to see 
the scheme of the Empire. “ India is the central motive of ils expansion. To reach 
India our adventurers threw themselves upon America ; to guard Indian trade we seized 
South Africa ; upon India converge the routes that are dotted from end to end with 
our forts and coaling stations. The Empire means that we are a stage beyond the rest 
of the world in, national evolution. We, of the English-speaking communities, have 
been set to build this new structure, this house among tents ; that we build it rightly 
and maintain it undisturbed is work necessary not only for the safety of the Empire, 
but for the orderly development organized.” A list of colonial articles of the more 
important treaties to which Great Britain has been party, is given in an appendix to the 
volume, and numerous outline maps, which are well and clearly drawn, are inserted 
Lo illustrate the text. 
WitHerby and Co., London. The Royal Navy List , Diary and Naval Handbook for 
1902, Issued in conjunction with Lean's Royal Navy List. La. Svo., pp. 120 -f 408. 
(Price 3s. ) This useful Diary and Handbook contains much valuable information respect- 
ing the Royal Navy and nautical matters, with a calendar of notable naval events, and 
a complete obituary for the year. Mr. L. G. Carr Laughton lias again contributed an 
article on the Naval Progress of the A var, which is accompanied by a comparative table 
of battleships of the Naval Powers. This is the fifth annual issue of the Diary and 
Handbook, its compilation has been carried out with much care and attention with a 
view to correctness and reliability, and as a work of reference and record it will be of 
great service lo all connected with the Navy. 
The Journal of the African Society. (Macmillan and Co., London.) We have 
received a copy of the initial number of the Journal of the African Society (October, 
1901), This Society has recently been founded in commemoration of the work of the 
late Miss Mary Kingsley, to investigate the social condition of the native races of Africa, 
and to facilitate the commercial and industrial development of the continent in the 
manner best fitted to secure the welfare of its inhabitants. The Journal of the Society 
has been issued in furtherance of these objects by collecting and publishing information 
received from competent writers, and, judging from the articles contained in the first 
issue, it appears likely to meet with great success. The number commences with an 
appreciative tribute to the genius of Miss Mary Kingsley and her work in West Africa, 
written by Mrs. J. R. Green. Sir H. H. Johnston contributes some notes on African 
subjects of special interest, and Dr. Hagberg Wright gives an account of German 
methods of development in Africa, showing the advantages of Government aid and 
direction in fostering the growth of rising colonies. The article on British trade with 
West Africa, by Mr. J. W. Root, indicates the value and importance of this market 
to British merchants. The experiment of giving a vote to the natives of Senegal is 
amusingly described by Mr. Pierre Mille, and this is followed by “Some glimpses of 
West African Law and Custom,” by Colonel Stopford, and a well-written account of 
“ Taveta Customs,” by Mr. Claud Hollis ; while Major Spilsbury records his observa- 
tions made during a journey with an expedition from Port Amelia, in Delagoa Bay, to 
Lake Nyassa, in August, 1900. It will be seen from the foregoing that the contents of 
the Journal are both varied and attractive, and it should prove most useful in spreading 
a better acquaintance with the inhabitants of the Dark Continent and their habits and 
ideas. Many of the troubles that have arisen with the natives have been owing, in a great 
measure, to not knowing how best to deal with them. The African Society will be doing 
good service in removing this ignorance. 
^ 
CITY BRANCH OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, AT 
112, CANNON STREET, LONDON, E.C. 
The City Branch of the Imperial Institute embraces 
1. A News Room, supplied with : — 
(a) The chief British Industrial and Commercial Periodicals ; 
{b) Many United States, German, and French Commercial Period- 
icals ; 
(c) Commercial Periodicals of the principal Colonies and of 
India j 
(d) Market reports, prices-current, and statistics. 
2. An Enquiry Office, in telephonic communication with the Com- 
mercial Information Office of the Imperial Institute at South Kensington. 
Enquiries relating to industrial, commercial, and other matters connected 
with the Colonies, India, and Foreign Countries, are received and promptly 
dealt with, and samples of products from the Colonies and India, stored 
at the Imperial Institute, can be inspected or obtained. Expert valuation 
will be furnished of samples submitted for that purpose. 
3. The News Room is free to Fellows of the Institute, as is also the 
Enquiry Office for obtaining such information as does not involve special 
research or correspondence. 
4. A subscription of the sum of one pound per annum, payable in 
advance, secures the free use of the News Room, and the supply, free of 
charge, of information not involving special research or correspondence. 
5. Subscribers of one pound per annum are also entitled to inspect, 
free of charge , any maps or charts included in the Map Room collection 
at the Imperial Institute, South Kensington, and to consult any works, or 
official papers, included in the Institute Library. Passes admitting to the 
Library or the Map Room for the foregoing purposes will be issued, as 
required, on application to the Clerk at the City Office. 
6. Non-Subscribers to the City Branch can be supplied with information 
upon the following terms : — 
(a) First enquiry, not involving special research or correspondence, 
free. 
(b) For each subsequent enquiry, not involving special research or 
correspondence, one shilling. 
(c) For each enquiry, involving special correspondence, or interviews 
with home-experts, etc., five shillings. 
(d) For each enquiry involving Colonial or Foreign correspondence, 
ten shillings ; or by special arrangement, if likely to be 
voluminous. 
7. Subscribers will have to pay the charges specified under (c) and (d) 
in the foregoing clause : Fellows will only be required to reimburse the 
Institute any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with enquiries 
coming under those heads. 
8. The Information Department will undertake to obtain analytical or 
other examinations of samples by competent Experts, upon payment, by 
persons submitting them, of the usual professional fees, to be previously 
specified, and agreed to by the applicant. 
9. The Institute will undertake to procure, and supply, at cost price, 
translations into any language, of trade circulars, prices-current, etc., and 
the conversion of weights, measures, coinages, etc. 
