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It would, we think, be impossible to attain the purpose aimed at, better than has been done by Mrs. Ward in this book. She brings a rare intellect to the understanding of those big military things and writes her narrative with a sense of proportion and a clearness of language altogether admirable. "Through the Iron Bars by Emile Cam- maerts. Illustrated with cartoons by Louis Raemaekers. London: John Lane, The Bodley Head. 6d. net. Pp. 72. M. Cammaerts' prose has precisely the same arresting features as his poetry it is direct, vivid and passionate. Through the Iron Bars is the record of the heroism of the seven and a half million Belgian civilians who, behind the German lines, are daily persecuted by the oppressors. Though M. Cammaerts writes with pity and intense patriotism he is an impartial recorder of facts and quotes the authorities for his statements. He tells the indescribably ugly story of the German occupation of Belgium from the fall of Antwerp to the end of last year, the sacking of the country, the countless broken promises and cunning calumnies, the slave raids and the tragedy of the deportees. Among his most remarkable pages are those describing Cardinal Mercier's inspired sermon in Brussels-u How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land ? For they that carried us away captive required of us a song." As the author says The echo of their song still haunts the sleep of every honest man." M. Cammaerts is a spirited champion of his nation's cause- that nation of the unconquerable soul which is ever in our minds as our big guns in Flanders teach the enemy his lesson. This little book is well printed on good, thick paper and is illustrates with some of Raemaekers' best cartoons. CORRESPONDENCE HOUSING REFORM IN WALES. To the Editor of the Welsh Outlook. Sir, As a result of efforts put forward by the Welsh Housing and Development Association, in co-operation with the National Housing and Town-Planning Council and other bodies, the Presi- dent of the Local Government Board has issued to local authorities a circular announcing that the Government proposes to offer sub- stantial financial assistance to local authorities who are prepared without delay at the conclusion of the War to carry out approved housing schemes. Applications for such assistance, however, must be sent with full particulars to the Board not later than October 15th. It is highly important that Mr. Hayes Fisher's request should be observed by local authorities throughout Wales and Monmouthshire, where the housing shortage is known to be very serious. The promised assistance will in all probability be limited in amount and will be available only for a short period after the War. Local authorities therefore who neglect to deal with the matter, or who deal with it in an inadequate manner, are likely to have insufficient assistance when the time for building arrives. It will be better to over-estimate rather than under-estimate the requirements, and provision should be made for dealing not only with the existing shortage but also with the shortage that must arise consequent on the failure of ordinary speculative agencies during the difficult period following the War. A. Ffoulkes. A.F. The Association desires very strongly to emphasise the im- portance of the matter, and to urge local authorities to respond fully to the lead given by the Local Government Board. In all probability also State assistance will be available for co- operative and other agencies organised on a philanthropic or semi-philanthropic basis, and it is imperative that such bodies also should prepare their schemes without delay. The Welsh Housing and Development Association, which is purely a propogandist and advisory body, is prepared to assist local authorities and others contemplating town-planning and housing schemes and will send a competent representative to confer with such bodies or persons. Yours, etc., EDGAR L. CHAPPELL, Secretary, Welsh Housing and Development Association. 38 Charles Street, Cardiff, August 3rd, 1917. LITERARY NOTES We understand that Mr. John Lane, of the Bodley Head, who commissioned before the War a richly illustrated volume on Ozias Humphry from Dr. G. C. Williamson, has decided, not- withstanding the grave difficulties in paper and printing, to pro- ceed with the book, and issue it at Christmas. We anticipate that he will be well rewarded for his courage, inasmuch as the name of Ozias Humphry is one that is just now on the lips of every man. We are informed that Dr. Williamson, to whom he sug- gested the subject, has been remarkably successful in his search for materials, having found no less than four separate hoards of Humpnhry's correspondence with his sitters, and within the past week, from a source wholly fresh, some original letters from the Ladies Waldegrave and the artist himself, relative to the former so-called Romney picture, fully describing it and giving many new and curious details concerning its history. He has also discovered another of Humphry's early letters to his mother when yet at school, the details of his apprenticeship and first training, and, most interesting of all, two groups of original love letters relating to Humphry's adventures in the field of love, neither of which, unhappily, was crowned with success. No author has hitherto known a word of these episodes. We are also assured that the author has discovered Humphry's original proofs for many of his prints, a long and important letter con- cerning the Linleys and Mrs. Sheridan and nearly 150 miniatures by Humphry, mostly named and dated, that have been hidden away in Scotland since 1846. In short we are promised by Mr. Lane a book of deep interest, crowded with new and original material relative to the Art of the 18th century and one of its chief exponents. Mr. John Lane would be glad to hear from anyone possessing works-particularly oil paintings or important drawings-by Humphry, or any correspondence by or to him. Professor Dampier Whetham's War and the Nation is published by John Murray, Albemarle Street, W. 6s. nett. We regret the omission of this information in our last issue.