326 [December, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 96. 
buildings, in which the explorers can carry on their chemical work with better results. The 
report made by the California State Mining Bureau has not accurately defined either the 
extent of the territory in which these deposits are found, or of the deposits themselves, but 
enough is known to suggest many points of similarity between these nitre beds and those of 
Chile. Both are situated in typical hot, rainless deserts, and have evidently, it is asserted, 
been formed under the same geological conditions and upon the same huge scale. This 
discovery, if verified, will certainly be of great interest to the commercial world. The great 
supply of this product is now drawn from the province of Tarapaca in Chile. The control of 
the Chilian beds is in the hands of English companies, which have made a very strong com- 
bination. If the new deposits in California turn out as expected, a great development of the 
nitrate industry in its various forms may be looked for in the United States, and there will 
probably be some interference with the plans of the existing combination. 
— 
NEW BOOKS, etc. 
Ch. Delagrave. (Paris, 1902.) 
V Avenir Colonial de la France ( Colonisation Fran$aist et Hr anger e ). Par E. 
Fallot, avec une preface de Rene Millet, Ambassadeur. Ouvrage accompagne de 
12 cartes en couleur. 8vo., pp. 550. (Prix, 5 fr. ) 
This book is a manual of colonial questions, and includes a critical study of the 
principles on which all work of colonisation depends ; the part taken by the State in 
promoting the immigration of men and capital ; colonial credit, commerce and Customs 
tariffs, and the political and administrative organisation of the French colonies. There 
is also given a comparative study of the colonisation and the colonial methods of the 
different colonising nations, together with a geographical, political and economic 
account of each of the French colonies, old and new, and of their present condition and 
prospects. France is now the second colonial power in the world, ranking next to 
England, and her colonial expansion has taken place within the last twenty years. 
This has quite changed the attitude of France towards her foreign possessions, and much 
attention is now given to colonial questions. M. Fallot’s book is the outcome of his 
lectures given at the technical school, recently founded at Tunis, for the training of 
intending colonists, and deals with these questions in a lucid and interesting manner. 
In a chapter on the English colonies, he contrasts the colonial systems of France and 
England ; and shows clearly that the enormous growth of our Empire beyond the seas 
is due to the ability of Englishmen to profit by fortunate circumstances, and above all to 
the perseverance and methodical spirit they brought to bear on policy as well as 
administration. He says— “ In all the English colonies we find the same anxious care 
to avoid changing as little as possible the legislation consecrated by long usage, and thus 
at Malta the code promulgated by England, after very slight modifications, is that of 
de Rohan, the work of one of the last Grand Masters of the Order of Malta ; so also the 
French laws have remained in force in Mauritius and in Lower Canada, and the Dutch 
laws in British Guiana, since these colonies have passed under the English rule. A 
consequence of this system is that colonial questions are very rarely submitted to 
Parliamentary discussion, only questions of a very general interest are considered as 
being within its purview. This system is the inverse of that of France, in which laws 
and regulations are made solely in Paris, often by persons who have only a very imperfect 
knowledge of the colonies, and despatched to the Governor with orders to have them 
put in force.” M. Fallot has given an excellent account of the many varieties of the 
British colonial system, as well as of those of other countries. In a concluding chapter he 
deals with the future of the French colonial possessions, and shows the necessity of a 
complete change in the uniformity which the French Government has imposed on all its 
colonies, irrespective of their social and economic conditions. With the great expansion 
of her colonial empire, the interests of France have been widely extended, and it has 
become important that the French youths who may be destined to a colonial career 
should have some special preparation beforehand. M. Fallot’s book provides an 
admirable source of information of the greatest value to all interested in the colonies 
and colonial questions. 
La Societe de Geografhie Commekciale. (Paris, 1902.} 
U Inde Fratifaise au dix-huitieme silcle. Ouvrage posthume de Henri Castonnet 
DES Fosses. Avec portrait de 1 ’ Auteur. 8vo,, pp. 558. (Prix, 3f, 50c.) 
The author of. this volume was for twenty years a member of the “Societe dc 
Geographic Commerciale ” of Paris, to which he rendered great services, as well as to 
the colonial cause and to French expansion both in the colonies and abroad. For eleven 
years he directed various sections of the society, and was for two years its vice-president. 
He devoted much of his time and attention to questions of economic and historical 
geography and of colonisation. He has written a great deal on these subjects, which 
appear to have had great attractions for him. The account he has given of the rise and 
decline of French power in India during the eighteenth century is most interesting, and the 
rivalry between the French and English is related in a very impartial manner. The 
career of the celebrated Dupleix, down to his fall, is well described. The book will be 
read with much pleasure, and will well repay perusal. 
Cassell and Company, Limited. (London, 1902.) 
“j Britain at Work,” a pictorial description of our National Industries. Illustrated 
from photographs, etc. Sm. 4to., pp. viii, + 384. 
This handsome volume contains a brief and well-written description of the many 
industries and manufactures of the United Kingdom, and the methods by which they 
are carried on, commencing with the building of a battleship, which is contributed by 
Mr. H. W. Wilson. It is remarkable how few persons beyond those immediately 
concerned with them, possess any definite knowledge of the way in which the commonest 
articles in daily use, such as soap, paper, matches, etc., are made. This book gives a 
succinct and lucid explanation of the manner in which each industry is conducted, and 
the various processes of manufacture. Every aspect of industrial life is described, and 
the articles are contributed by experts in each department, so as to ensure an accurate 
and instructive account. The most valuable portions of the work, however, are the 
numerous photographic illustrations which are executed in the admirable style for 
which the publishers, Messrs. Cassell and Co., are so justly celebrated. The book is 
well bound and printed on fine toned paper, and should be a desirable and useful acqui- 
sition to any library. 
Sampson Low, Marston, and Company, Limited. (London, 1902.) 
The Guide to South Africa; for the use of Tourists , Sportsmen , Invalids , and 
Settlers. With coloured maps, plans, and diagrams. Edited annually by A. Samler 
Brown and G. Gordon Brown. 1902-1903. Tenth Edition. 8vo., pp. lx. + 474. 
(Price 2s. fid.) 
The changes that have taken place and that are taking place in South Africa, as 
the result of the late war, have necessitated a considerable revision of this useful book, 
especially with regard to the information concerning the methods of acquiring land, the 
mining and game laws, state-aid to emigration, etc., which are not yet definitely settled. 
Statistics of trade have been carefully reviewed, but the latest figures, when abnormally 
affected by passing circumstances, have not always been inserted. In the preface, the 
editors say that : “Comparison between times of peace and times of war are more likely 
to mislead the reader than to serve the purpose for which statistics have been included 
in this work.” For tourists in South Africa the book will be found invaluable, as 
minute directions are given respecting all the possible routes that can be taken. As 
there will probably be a large influx of people into this part of the world, no better 
guide can be found than this well-compiled handbook. The information is given in a 
compact and handy form for reference, and the book is printed on thin paper, so as to 
occupy but little space. The excellent maps and diagrams which have been specially 
prepared for this Guide, will be found of great service. 
Jno. N. Lightbourn’s Sons. (St. Thomas, West Indies.) 
West India ; a bi-monthly magazine devoted to the social and economic questions 
of the West Indies. August, 1902. Svo., pp. 32. Illustrated. 
This is a new publication, and one that will prove of great service in furthering 
the interests of the West Indian Islands. There has been a great want of information 
of a useful character with regard to these islands, which has been the main cause of their 
being comparatively neglected. The contents of the first number of this magazine are 
varied and attractive, and the illustrations, which are all from photographs, are above 
the average ; they add much to the interest of the publication, which deserves to be 
successful. It will be useful, not only to the West Indian people, but also to those in 
the United Kingdom who may contemplate a tour in these beautiful islands. 
Charles Griffin and Company, Ltd. (London, 1902.) 
Year-Book of the Scientific and Learned Societies of Great Britain and Ireland 
1901-1902. Compiled from official sources. Nineteenth Annual Issue. 8vo.,pp. 211. 
(Price 7s. fid.) 
This volume contains the lists of papers read before the various Societies during the 
session which, with comparatively few exceptions, commenced in October, 1901, and 
ended in June, 1902. In most instances these lists have been contributed directly by 
the Societies. It offers a concise review of the history, organisation and conditions of 
membership of the Scientific and Learned Societies of Great Britain and Ireland, and 
is invaluable to scientific workers, as it records the different subjects that have occupied 
attention during the past lecture season. 
— +» — 
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 
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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 : — 
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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. 
{ c ) Many commercial periodicals of the United States, Germany, 
France, Austria, etc. 
{d) Market reports, prices-current, official reports and statistics. 
The City Branch is in constant communication , by telephone and 
messengers , with the Imperial Institute , South Kensington. Curators and 
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times and by special appointment , to deal with enquiries and to assist in 
establishing or facilitating business relations with mercantile houses , etc., in the 
Colonies and in India. 
1. The Sample Room is open free to the public, by introduction. 
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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 
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Kensington, or to consult any works, or official papers, included in the 
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5. Non-Subscribers to the City Branch can be supplied with information 
upon the following terms : — 
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if) For each subsequent enquiry, not involving special research or 
correspondence, one shilling. 
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to home-experts, etc., five shillings. 
(d) For each enquiry involving Colonial or Foreign correspondence, 
ten shillings, or by special arrangement, if likely to be 
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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. 
