Welsh Journals

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Their main concern appeared to be to attain harmony with the subject matter. But this was not intrinsically dull, as our most recent text books continue to prove. This collection of illus- trations carries us one stage further towards conviction. They should be invaluable aids not only to tutors of adult classes, but also to teachers in our intermediate schools, where the attention given to Social History is definitely increasing. The illustrations — uncoloured prints, 9iin. by 5jin. — are carefully classified into five groups, dealing with Agriculture, Industry, Communica- tion, Commerce, and Social Life. It was, per- haps, inevitable that Industry should be given the place d'honneur, but this need hardly have in- volved the relatively slight recognition of Agri- culture, Commerce, and Social Life. In all three, the prints are inadequate from the point of view of both number and character. The main prop of the series is the collection of prints of the signifi- cant inventions of this transition period, but even these may convey little to the "academic" tutor or teacher. At least they might convey more. Would it have been impossible to elucidate some of the references in the mechanical diagrams? As they stand, the general statements are not adequate for the uninitiated in the mysteries of mechanics. These prints inevitably recall the reproductions of the National Library, and one is left wonder- ing whether, with its help, a series dealing with Social Changes in Wales in the last century is a practicable scheme. There is need enough-and just in this format, which is admirable. B.B.T. AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION IN S. WALES. By J. Morgan Jones, M.,4. Agricultural Economics Department, Aberystwyth. is. At a time when agricultural co-operative buying and selling are so much discussed it is important to know something of the activities and financial results of Co-operative Societies. The causes of failures in the past must be known to be avoided in the future. This book gives a clear account of the activities of Societies in South Wales. Illus- trative of variation in results, one Society is quoted as making £ 4 profit per £ 100 of sales, whereas another made a loss of over £ 11 on each £ 100 sales. The causes of this are discussed to- gether with the cause for so little marketing of produce. An appeal by the author for more co- operation between the Societies deserves special notice. Speakers on Land and the Nation will be able to answer many an awkward question if they digest this book. E.J.R. CAREERS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING The Women's Employment Publishing Co., Ltd., 54, Russell Sq., W.C.i Pp. 263. 1s. 6d. This is an astonishing eighteen pennyworth. Its subtitle is "A guide to the professions and occu- pations of educated women and girls." These professions and occupations number well over two hundred. The guidance is provided in a series of articles, one for each career, which are well-in- formed and extremely practical. The author of each article not only follows the profession described but has already achieved eminence in it. Music, for example, is dealt with by Sir Henry J. Wood, Secondary School Teaching by the Prin- cipal of the Cambridge Training College for Women, Nursing by the Matron of London Hos- pital, and so on. To every article is appended in- formation about the length and cost of training. Most of us little suspect how numerous are the careers open to our girls. This book is an eye- opener. The puzzled parent, and the teacher worried by the perennial question What ought I to be? will find a sound ally in these pages. The book should be in the library of every girls' school and college. E.H.J. LLYFR Y CYFARFOD PLANT William Qeorge, Criccieth Hughes a'i Fab, pp. 88. is. 3d. In these days of School Societies, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Village Clubs, Urdd Gobaith, and other such formative activities of modern outlook, Messrs. Hughes and Son are venturing to bring out, in parts, with additions," a number of dialogues originally written for the local Cyfarfod Plant, "years ago." Most of them are of the nature of cautionary dialogues. The moral is well rubbed in, and the scene usually ends at the stool of repentance, with a confession and a sermonette, and everybody being good. The issues themselves are old, but ever fresh Don't gossip; Share your goodies; Be cheerful; Sing the old songs; Play fair; and so forth. A generation ago the Bands of Hope and the Good Templars made great play with such conversion dialogues. The argument (as in these) was sometimes shrewd, sometimes hazy, generally one-sided but the end was cer- tain. Well above this type in artistry, and prob- ably in effectiveness, were the acting versions of Bible stories-those of the Llanbrynmair brothers, for instance-in which the moral was woven into the action and was clinched by the final denoue- ment of a really great plot. There are few modern classrooms, surely, in which debates and scenic