1 88 [July, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 91. 
NEW BOOKS, etc. 
Harrison and Sons. (London, 1902.) 
The Colonial Office List for igo2 , comprising Historical and Statistical Information 
respecting the Colonial Dependencies of Great. Britain , an account of the sendees of the 
Officers in the Colonial Service, a transcript of the Colonial Regulations, etc. With maps. 
Compiled by W. H. Mercer and A. E. Collins. Forty-first publication. Ry. Svo., 
pp. xxvi+538. {Price, 10s. 6d.) 
The present edition of the Colonial Office List has been carefully revised, and the 
statistical information has been brought up to the latest date possible. The volume 
increases in bulk yearly, with the addition of new matter, and, as it is compiled from 
official records, it may be regarded as authoritative on all colonial questions. The 
particulars respecting the new colonies of the Orange River and the Transvaal, will be 
found interesting, as also the account of Northern and Southern Nigeria. A resumd of 
the Constitution of the Commonw'ealth of Australia is given on page 4, followed by the 
official Establishment of the Commonwealth and lists of the members of the Parliament. 
The volume conveys an epitomised account of our Colonial Empire, which now has an 
area of more than millions of square miles, or 80 times that of the United Kingdom, 
and a population, not including that of the Niger and Oil Rivers territories, of about 24 
millions. As a record of the development and resources of the Colonial possessions 
the List is most useful for reference ; every dependency of the British Empire, except 
India, is dealt with as regards conditions, resources and government. The contents ol 
the present issue, as compared with the edition of forty years ago, will indicate the vast 
expansion that has been made in the Empire during that period. The numerous maps 
inserted throughout the volume are well and clearly drawn, and add greatly to its value 
and utility. 
Cassell and Company, Ltd. (London, 1902.) 
I 'he Real Siberia, together with an account of a dash through Manchuria. By JOHN 
Foster Fraser. Illustrated. Svo., pp. 279. (Price, 6s.) This volume contains 
personal impressions of a journey made across Siberia and through Manchuria in the 
autumn of 1901. The journey was made over the new Siberian railway, travelling by 
an ordinary daily train from Moscow to Vladivostock, with a hurried trip into Man- 
churia, where the author visited the great prison at Alexandrovski. Mr. Fraser’s 
experience as a traveller is extensive and varied, so that even in this rapid transit he has 
collected many curious bits of information. His views respecting Siberia are on the 
whole very favourable, and he considers that there is a great future in store for this long- 
neglected country. Pie regards it as the ultimate great food-producing region of tire 
earth. “ The Siberia of convicts and prisons is passing away, and the Siberia of the 
reaping machine, the gold drill, the timber yard, the booming, flourishing new town, is 
awakening into life.” Instead of a gaunt lone land, which has been the commonly 
received notion, the country reminded him from the first day to the last of Canada and 
the best parts of Western America. The book is written in a graphic and lively style, 
and there are no dull pages to be found in it. The numerous illustrations, which are 
from photographs, convey an excellent idea of the scenery and people of this immense 
region, which is now being opened up to trade and commerce and receiving a large 
increase to its population. 
Charles Griffin and Company, Ltd. (London, 1902.) 
Gold-seeking in South Africa. A Handbook of hints for intending explorers , pro- 
spectors , and settlers: with a chapter on the Agricultural Prospects of South Africa. By 
Tiieo. Kassner, Mine Manager. With maps and illustrations. 8vo., pp. 134. 
(Price, 4s. 6d.) This little volume treats of the author’s personal observations and 
experiences during his travels in South Africa, and its publication at the present time is 
specially opportune, in view of the resumption of mining work and development in the 
Transvaal. The book will lie of great service, from a practical point of view, to 
intending prospectors and settlers, in searching for minerals and developing the mines 
on either a large or small scale. The introductory chapters give a general description of 
the rocks, descriptions of the various goldfields and of the several reefs, with the 
author’s observations on them. The volume is well illustrated with diagrams and maps, 
explanatory of the text, and concludes with a chapter on the climate and agriculture of 
the country. 
The Textile Fibres of Commerce. A Handbook on the occurrence, distribution, 
preparation , and uses of the. animal , vegetable and mineral fibres used in cotton, woollen, 
paper, silk, brush, and hat manufactures. By William J. Hannan. Illustrated. La. 
8vo., pp. 236. (Price, gs. net). This book is designed to give information concerning 
the Textile Fibres that are used in the various industries of the world. The vegetable 
and mineral fibres of commerce are now very numerous, so that there is great need for 
an accurate and complete description of these fibres, the processes by which they are 
obtained, and the purposes for which they are used in the different industries of commerce. 
The compilation of the work has been carried out with evident care, and the numerous 
illustrations add materially to the utility of the volume for reference. Most of them 
are from photographs or sketches from actual specimens, made by the author and his 
friends. To those interested in fibres the work will be most valuable. 
George Philip and Son, Ltd. (London, 1902). 
Philips 1 A. 3 .C. Pocket Atlas- Guide to London. Coronation Year Edition. Svo., 
pp. 86. (Price, is.) This handy guide will be very useful to visitors and strangers in 
London, especially during the present year. The main feature of the little book is an 
atlas consisting of 24 coloured maps, 18 of which are sectional maps of the whole of 
London on the scale of 2 inches to the mile. In addition there are six supplementary 
maps which show the divisions of London into metropolitan boroughs, the various 
railway systems, and the environs of London. The guide portion of the book is 
principally devoted to an A-B.C. gazetteer or list of the principal buildings, and “sights” 
of London, with descriptive notes. The excellent photographic views are deserving of 
mention, and the size of the volume is adapted for carrying in the pocket. 
Harper and Brothers. (London and New York, 1902.) Harped s International 
Commerce Series. Edited by Francis W. Hirst. 
British India and its Trade. By H. J. Tozer, M.A. Svo., pp. xiv + 90, with 
map. (Price 3s. 6d.) 
Japan and its Trade. By J. Morris. Svo., pp. xvi + 182. With map. 
(Price 3s. 6d.) 
The object of this series is twofold : first to supply managers, clerks and agents of 
commercial firms in all parts of the globe, with accurate information about the commerce, 
resources, and needs of the principal countries of the world ; and secondly “ to supply to 
teachers and students in technical schools, colleges and commercial Universities through- 
out the British Empire and the United States of America, guide-books to the wealth of 
modern nations.” Such a series is specially needed at the present time, and will prove 
a useful aid in the advancement of commercial education, to which attention is now 
strongly directed. The series will provide guidance to an acquaintance with the 
modern conditions under which nations are competing for the world’s markets, exchang- 
ing their products, utilizing their own agricultural and mineral resources, and, as they 
progress in wealth and population, making new and larger demands upon the products 
of other countries. In his account of British India and its trade, Mr. Tozer describes 
the physical features and population of the country, and the sources of its wealth, 
agricultural, mineral, and industrial. Full statistical tables are given ol the import and 
export trade, and also the Customs tariff and regulations. There is also a chapter on the 
weights and measures, currency, exchange and banking of the country, which will be 
useful to the merchant. Mr. Morris’s account of the trade and resources of Japan 
is specially valuable and useful in view of the treaty recently made with that 
country. The statistics given in this book show the commercial importance of Japan, 
in its geographical position as well as in its internal resources. Japan’s immediate 
need is that of ready capital to prosecute her various enterprises. I he volume will 
enable the merchant and manufacturer to judge of the possibilities which are in store for 
those who may embark in trade with that rapidly rising land of the Far East. 
Walter R. Skinner. (London, 1902.) 
The Mining Manual for 1Q02 . By WALTER R. SKINNER. Sixteenth year of 
publication. Svo., pp. lvii + 1696. (Price, 21s.) This useful and valuable annual now 
contains over 1,700 pages, and its increasing size shows the growth of public interest in 
mining undertakings. The value of the work to investors is largely increased, 
particularly by the resumption of work on the Rand, and the formation of new mining 
companies. The volume contains a complete record of the work and operations of 
mining and kindred companies, in a condensed and handy form for reference. The 
particulars in every case are brought down to the latest date, and the matter is so 
arranged that the constitution, the financial position, and the administrative equipment 
of each company are clearly shown. Embracing all sections of the mining market it 
forms the most comprehensive work on the subject. The book has been carefully 
revised, so as to ensure reliability and accuracy. The information is classified, as in 
previous issues, into four sections ; and particulars are given of 3,523 companies, of which 
688 are Australian, 855 South African, 420 West African, and 1,560 miscellaneous. 
The lists of Directors and Secretaries include the names of about 7,000 Directors and of 
1,720 Secretaries, with the companies each is interested in. A useful dictionary of 
mining terms is appended io the volume. 
The Clarendon Press, Oxford. (London, Henry Frowde.) 
Studies in History and furisprudence. By JAMES Bryce, D.C. L. In two 
volumes. La. Svo. Vol. I., pp. xxi + 553 : Vol. II., pp. xvi + 543. (Price, 25s. net.) 
These volumes contain a comparison between the history and law of Rome and the 
history and law of England, as regards the extension over the world of their legal 
systems, their constitutions, legislation, and private civil law. Two of the essays 
embody an effort to examine political constitutions generally from comparatively 
unfamiliar points of view, and five are devoted to the discussion, in a non-technical way, 
of problems in jurisprudence which have both a theoretical and a historical — to some 
extent also a practical — side. An interesting outline is given of the early history of 
Iceland and the very peculiar constitution of the primitive Icelandic Republic. There 
are also chapters on modern constitutions and reflections on the history and constitutions 
of the United States. The systems of government that obtained in the two late Dutch 
Republics in South Africa are described, and also the constitution recently created for 
the new Commonwealth of Australia. The student of history will find these volumes 
of great service in acquiring a knowledge of the constitutional and legal element in 
history, and the growth of constitutional government in the world. The studies are 
well and exhaustively worked out, and are marked with the well-known acumen and 
clear-sightedness of the author ; they are valuable contributions to the literature of the 
subject. 
CITY BRANCH OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, AT 
49, EASTCHEAP, LONDON, E.C. 
The City Branch of the Imperial Institute embraces : — 
A Sample Room for the display of raw and manufactured products 
from the Colonies and India, for which it is desired to find openings in 
markets at home and abroad. 
An Information Office where enquiries relating to industrial, com- 
mercial and other matters connected with the Colonies, India and Foreign 
Countries are received and promptly dealt with. 
A News Room supplied with : — 
(a) Hand-books and directories of the British Empire, including 
many pamphlets (for free distribution) dealing with Canada, 
the Australian States, New Zealand and South Africa. 
(b) The chief trade papers of Great Britain, the Colonies and India. 
ff) Many commercial periodicals of the United States, Germany, 
France, Austria, etc. 
ff) Market reports, prices-current, official reports and statistics. 
The City Branch is in constant communication , by telephojie and 
messengers , with the Imperial Institute , South Kensington. Curators and 
other members of the Imperial Institute staff will attend at the office at stated 
times and by special appointment , to deal with enquiries and to assist in 
establishing or facilitating business relations with merca?itUe houses , etc., in the 
Colonies and in India. 
1. The Sample Room is open free to the public, by introduction. 
2. The News Room is free to Fellows of the Institute, as is also the 
Enquiry Office for the supply of such information as does not involve special 
research or correspondence. 
3. 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. 
4. Subscribers of one pound per annum are also entitled, on presenta- 
tion of their members’ tickets, to inspect, free of charge , any maps or charts, 
included in the Map Room collection at the Imperial Institute, South 
Kensington, or to consult any works, or official papers, included in the 
Institute Library. 
5. 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. 
iff) For each subsequent enquiry, not involving special research or 
correspondence, one shilling. 
(1 c ) For each enquiry, involving special correspondence, or reference 
to home-experts, etc., five shillings. 
iff) For each enquiry involving Colonial or Foreign correspondence, 
ten shillings , or by special arrangement, if likely to be 
voluminous. 
6. Subscribers will have to pay the charges specified under (c) and (d) in 
the foregoing clause, and Fellows will have to reimburse the Institute any 
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with enquiries coming under 
those heads. 
7. The Information Office 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. 
8. The Institute will undertake the supply, at cost price, of translations, 
into any language, of trade circulars, prices-current, etc., the conversion of 
weights, measures, coinages, etc. 
