19231 CORRESPONDENCE 279

upon the matter. The report of the Council indicated that some success had attended its efforts to arouse the interest of Education Authorities in the teaching of History, a subject much neglected in Scotland. Professor J. L. Morison made, in an address on “ History and Politics from a Canadian Standpoint,” an extremely interesting contribution to the study of Imperial conditions, which the Council hopes shortly to publish.

CORRESPONDENCE.

MADAM,-The Illustrations Committee of the Historical Association would be very glad to get into touch with some member of the Associa- tion residing in the London district who could give some time regularly to help in the formation of a collection of historical illustrations here. Further details may be obtained from the Secretary of the Association.

H. M. CAM, Hon. Sec. Illustrations Committee.

The Hietorical Aseocialion, 22 Ruaaell Square, W.C. 1.

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY. MADAM,--I hope that a few remarks from one who agrees to

some extent with both the illustrious champions of opposite principles may help in the general discussion.

On reading Dr. Barker’s paper-which I had heard delivered in London-my first feeling was of strong approval. It seemed to me that the large and human view which he took of the whole subject was immensely to be preferred to that of some modern teachers who had been bred on partial and special studies, had no sympathy with any movements in ancient and mediaeval times, who minimised the force of personal characters, and to whom public affairs with diplomatio shiftings and military decisions were the all-in-all of historical studies.

I had long felt that Canon Ainger’s advice to the clergy, “ If you are only theologians, you will be very poor theologians,” might well be transferred to historical students and teachers. At the same time, I felt that in following Croce as to past and present, Dr. Barker could not avoid ambiguity : Present-pmt is, after all, a figurative expression. Some features in a particular period appeal, as others do not, to students who live in a later period. And often these past doings or characters are very much misinterpreted, as, e. g . , some of Plutarch’s heroes by the French Revolutionists. Indeed, the chief result of Dr. Barker’s paper might seem to be that there is scope for a thorough- going study of subjective history: of the events and doings of one period as believed in and admired or scorned by succeeding generations. Objective history is what we are all striving to obtain, and the nearer we come to i t the more instructive it will be. But within the objective is the subjective element : that some people of later days have believed it, and that it has helped to mould their actions and feelings.

In hearing and reading this address, I had, however, not the least conception that i t was an attack on research conducted on reasonable lines, however discouraging i t might be to the slight and piecemeal work which sometimes goes by this name. Prof. Pollard is able to