AUGUST, 1914.

SOUlb plac~ €lbical SOCi~lP, South Place, Finsbury, E.C.

t!>biect of the Society. "The Object of the SocIety is the cultivation of a rational religious sentiment, the study of ethical principles, and the promotion of human welfare, in harmony with advancing knowlectge."

MEMBERSHIP'. Any person in sympathy with the Object of tbe Society is cordiAlly invited to become

0. Member. Pnrticulars of Membership may bs obtnined ID the Librnry bsfore and after t11~ nndny ..,MlOes, or on applicntion to the Hon. Registrar, Miss F. BECRAlI, 90, GcldGBton Hond. Glapton, N.E.

1\SseeU\TES. j\ ny person interested in the Sooiety's work but not wishing to become " Member,

mny join no o.n Assooiate. Particulars may lle obto.ined from the Hon. Registrar 0.8 o.bove.

Duriny tlto month of AU(lust tho Ohapel and Sunday Sc1l001 will be closed. Tho servieeR 11"111 be r,..u7IIed on September G.

Rambles. Alldny nambles will be held on t bo Sunrlays in AUl(l1st (the Soclety's sorvices being sus

pendo"). Memhers and friends ILre corclio.lly InvHed to .i<1in in theso excursions, August 9.-Hughenden and West Wycombe.- Condllcted by Mr. W. T. Wxxc.tr.

Mcet at Mnryiebone for 10.25 train. Take return ticket. to High Wycombe. August 16.-Chesham and Cholesbury.-Oondnetl'd by Mr. D. OllUISTIE TUT. Meet

at Mnrylebono tation for 10.42 train. Take day excursion ticket to Obes)lIlIn, 28. 3d. Ten. nt Bull Inn, Bellingdon, Bd.

August 23.-Epsom Downs, Headley Common and Betcbworth.-Conducted by Mr. ]'. M. Ovr.nv. Catch 9.55 train London Bridge (L.H. & S.C.R.), chcap return to Epsom, 1 •. (;d. 'l'eo. at Betobwortb.

Augus~ 30.-Leith Hill.-Conducted by :Mr. F. M. llAWXINS. TTain from London j~ridgc (L .B. &, S.C.R.), 9.55. Return ticket to Dorking. I.uncb in Tillingbonrne VnJicy. Tell. at 1'loug-h Inn. Coldbarbonr

!I' ./I.-On these all.dau excursions Ramblers 8hould cnme provided lVi/I! lunch.

Lending Library. 'rhe J.enrling Lihrary will be eio,od during AUl(tlst, Il.tld will r open III September. In

,-Iew of t.hoAnnual Stock-·raktng. borrowers IHLving hook!:i in their possession arc pn.rliculn.rly rNpu'slorl 1.0 rotuflt them in cOllformlty wit.h (he special notice appof\ring at tho cnd o[ Lending Library announcement In "nother pnrt or thl. issue.

Hon Librn"a.,,, {MiS. MARY RAwtINGs, 406. Mare Street, Haokney, N.E. . WAl.I.IS MANsfoRn. Oh~rry Tr •• Oourt, 53. Aidersgate Street, E.O.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

T1 is with much pleasure we have to announce that Mr. C. J. Pollard has accepted the position of honorary secretary to tne Society. He has our hearty wishes for success in his new sphere of action. Vie feel sure these wishes will be shared bv all who know him and have the welfare of the Society at heart.

On June 13 the Ramblers had a most interesting ramble to Rothamsted Agricultural Experimental Station, through the grounds of which they were conducted by \V. Budden, Esq., B.A. By the kindness of Mr. S. H. Wool house we are enabled

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to give a few particulars of this unique institution. It has a staff of competent scientific men engaged in chemical, bacterio­logical and botanical research in relation to soil and crops. It was founded by Sir John Bennet Lawes over seventy years ago, who commenced experiments on his estate, which have been continued ever since without any break. For 50 years they were controlled by him and his coadjutor, Sir J. Henry Gilbert. Since then the experiments have been carried on along lines laid down by them. Grass has been grown on one part of the estate, roots on another, and wheat on another. Experiments with all kinds of manure have been made sys­tematically. Records have been kept of the fertilizers used and the yield of the resulting crops. The length of time these experiments have continued has enabled every variety of weather condition to be encountered and the results recorded. One of the most important experiments is in what is known all over the world as the" Broadbalk field," where wheat has been grown without change or interruption since 1843.

At the time of the Ramblers' visit this field was a very in­teresting sight; the wheat was fairly high, and the difference in the crops (the field is divided into a number of sections) was often very marked. Each section of the field has a dif­ferent treatment as regards fertilization. Along one side of the field a deep trench runs, and into this pipes drain from every section. The drainage from these pipes is collected regularly and analysed in the laboratories on the estate. From these analyses many important results have been obtained, one of which is a very accurate determination of the period neces­sary to exhaust any given fertilizer. In this way considerable help has been obtained in comparing the respective values of fertilizers and manures.

Another important work has been the collection of samples of soil. In the laboratories hundreds (probably thousands) of hermetically sealed bottles containing soil are stored, duly labelled with particulars of date when bottled, where obtained, etc.

These samples have recently been used to throw light on modern problems connected with the micro-organisms of the soil, and incidentally have given evidence of the remarkable longevity of these micro-organisms. Samples bottled in 1846 and dried thoroughly in 1880 were found to contain many millions of bacteria per gramme.

Such work as this deserves national support, and yet it owes its existence to the munificence of a private individual and has to pursue its historic work with money iurnished by this man's will supplemented by private subscriptions. To a certain extent the State has assisted this work since 191 I. It has been recognised as a Government research institution, and from money provided through the Development Commission the Board of Agriculture is able to make it an annual grant of £2,500

~. Sec.

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Any further grant in aid of capital expenditure is made on the £ for £ principle, and entails the collection of an equal amount privately. Such a method, which leaves so much to private enterprise, is quite inadequate and totally unworthy of such a rich nation as ours.

Sub-Committees. THE following sub-committees have been appointed for the year J9 14- J 5 :

Building.-John Aldred, E. F. Errington, W. T. Harvey, N. Lidstone, F. M. Overy, B. Symons, Wallis Mansford, F. H. Mansford (Secretary).

C oncert.-Miss F. Arnold, 11iss F . B ech am, Miss A. Bentley, F. VV. Canning, E. Cunning-ham, Mrs. C. M. Dowse, Miss H. M. Fairhall, A. E. Fenton, J.. Fraser, Miss M. Gibson, Miss E. .Gould, F. A. f?:awkin.s,)f. A. Hawkins, 1'. James, -Pj c. E. LIster, E. H. Maler, MISS R. Rosenberg, MISS L. M. Simes, Miss F . J. Simons, F. Slattery, D. C. Tait, W. Varian, E. Williams, A. J. Clements (Secretary).

Discussion.-Miss H. M. Fairhall, F. Gibbs, Miss F. A. Law, W. L Martin, F. M. Overy, L. J. Simons, W. C. Wade, B. Warwick, C. J. Pollard (Secretary).

Finance.-John Aldred, Miss F. Becham, W. T. Harvey, Miss F. A. Law, N. Lidstone, F. M. ·Overy, C. J. Pollard, E Pollard, W. C. Wade (Secretary).

Lending Librar'y.-Miss H. M. Fairhall, Miss G. Gowing, H. B. Gowing, H. T. Herne, Miss J ohrison, Mrs. Keeling, Miss Law, Mrs. Lister, C. E. Lister, W. L Martin, Mrs. Overy, Mrs. Scudamore, W. C. Wade, Miss Wellington, Miss Mary Rawlings and Wallis Mansford (Librarians).

Members'.-Miss F . Becllam, Miss H . M. Fairhall, \\T. T. Harvey, E. Hillr· Miss F. A. Law, Mrs. N. Lidstone, W . L Martin, F . M. Overy, C. J. Pollard, E. Williams.

Music.-A. J. Clements, H . B. Gowing, Mrs. St. Aubyn, F. A. Hawkins (Secretary).

Publications.-Miss Halls, Miss Henman, E. S. King, C. E. Lister, W L Martin, E. Snelling, W. C. Wade, E. Williams (Secretary).

Rambles.-Miss Arnold, Miss G. Gowing, H. B. Gowing, N. Lidstone, W. L Martin, Mrs. Overy, F. M. Overy, Mrs. Reichert, F. A. Reichert, Miss Williams, S. H. Woolhouse, W. T. Wixcey (Secretary).

Soiree.-Miss M. Barralet, A. E. Fenton, Mrs. S. G. Fenton, H. B. Gowing, Mrs. Lidstone, Mrs. Overy, F. M. Overy, Mrs. E. Pollard, E. Pollard, Miss Raftery, Mrs. St. Aubyn, Mrs. Scudamore, Mrs. Symons, Mrs. Tait, W . T. Wixcey.

Sunday School.-Miss G. Gowing, J. Hall am, E. Hill, Mrs. Lidstone, .Mrs. Lister, Mrs. Holyoake Marsh, Mrs. Overy, Mrs. Wade, MISS F . A. Law and Mrs. St. Aubyn (Secretaries).

Ex-officio Members of all Sub-C017lmittees.-F. VI. Read

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(Treasurer), Mrs. C. Fletcher Smith and C. J. Pollard (Secre­taries).

Lending Library. THE Librarians have pleasure in announcing the additions which have been made to the Library during the past year.

Mr. John A. Hobson has kindly presented his two latest works, .. Traffic in Treason," 1914 (R 12) and" Work and Wealth," 1914 (R 12), together with a copy of "The Great Society," by Graham Wallas (Q II) .

Through purchase and gifts from members and friends of the Society the following books have been added; "Morale­F ondee sur les lois de la Nature," by M. Deshumbert (P 3) ; " traight Goods in Philosophy" (1910), by Paul Karishka (P 3) ; "The Devil' s Garden," by W. B. Maxwell (S 1 I) ( 1913) ; "South Place Monthly Lists and Report," October 10 to September I~ (B 7) ; "The Mother" ( 1908) by Eden Phill­potts ( 10) ; 'The Passionate Friends" (1913) (S 10) and "An Englishman Looks at the World" (19 14) (Q I I), by H. G. Wells; "The Regent," by Arnold Bennett (S 10) ; "Can Everyone Be Fed?" (1913) and" The Small Family System" (1913), by C. V. Drysdale (F 3) ; "An English Primary School" (1912), by A. K. Pritchard and F. Ashford (F 3) ; "Child-Man in Britain" (1913), by F. Ashford (F 3) ; "Great Days" (1914), by Frank Harris (S II ) ; "George Bernard Shaw" (1914) and "The Defendant," by G. K. Chesterton (Q 5) ; "Lost Endeavour," by Tohn Masefield (S II ) ; "The Melting Pot" (1914) and "Plaster Saints" (19T4), by Israel Zangwill (0 II); "The Doctors' Dilemma," "Getting Married," "The Showing Up of Blanco Posnet" ( 1913), and "Misalliance," "Dark Lady of the Sonnets," "Fanny's First Play" (1914), by G. Bernard Shaw eT 9); "From an Islington Window" and" Lord of the Harvest" (Introduction, Frederic Harrison) (1914), by M. Betham Edwards (S I I); "Main Currents of Modern Thought" (19 12), by Rudolph Eucken (Q II ) ; "George Bernard Shaw," by Joseph McCabe (Q II ) ; "The F ool Errant" (19 14), by Maurice Hewlett (S 1 I ) ; "The Garden of Resurrection," by E. Temple Thurston (S I I ) ; "Contemporary Belgian Poetry" ( IQII ), Translated by Jethro Bithell (Q 9).

IMPORTANT NOTICE. In view of the Annual tocktaking, it is particularly re­

quested of borrowers that all books not already returned be forwarded to the Library not later than Saturday, Augu;t 8, directed to the Hon. Librarians, South Place Chapel. The Library Committee desire the special attention of members and friends. to this request, as non-compliance will cause in­convenIence.

H on Librarians-MARY RAWLINGS, 406, Mare Street, Hackney, N.E. WALLIS MAN FORD, Cherry Tree Court, Aldersgate, City.

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Publications. The following, among other publications, are on sale in the CIHpel:-

HYMNS OF MODERN THOUGHT. Words & Music, DelllY 8vo, 28-+ pp., bound in Pluviusin boards, lettered in gold,

25. 6d. net. Words only, Imperi.ll 32t1l0., ISO pp., bound in cloth boards, IS. net.

FAREWELL DISCOURSES. Dr. Conway. gd. IDOLS AND IDEALS. Dr. Conway. IS. HUMAN SACRIFICES IN ENGLAND. Dr. Conway. 2d.

CON WAY MEMORIAL LECTURES, viz., 1910 . "The Task of Rationalism." John Russell, M.A. 1911 . "Peace and War in the Balance." H. W . Nevinson. Ig12. "Art and the Commonweal." W . Archer. 191 3, "War and the Essential Realities." Norman Angell. TL1l4. "The Life Pjlgrim~ge of Moncllre Conway. · John M.

Robertsoll, M .P. Paper Covers, each 6d.; Cloth, gd.

CHARLES BRADLAUGH : A RECORD OF HIS LIFE AND WORK. By Hypatia Bradlaugh Bonner. 2S. 6d.

THE EVOLUTION OF MAN. Ernst Haeckel. 2S. od . THE LIFE OF THOMAS PAINE. M. D. Conway. IS. 6d. LESSONS FOR THE DAY. M. D. Conway. IS. 6d. NATIONAL LIFE AND TEOUGHT. 2S. 6d. WORKERS AND THEIR INDUSTRIES. 2S. 6d. BRITISH EMPIRE SERIES. 2S. 6d. RELIGIONS, ANCIENT AND MODERN. Various Authors. IS. od. PHILOSOPHIES, ANCIENT AND MODERN. Vario,!s Authors. IS. od. PENALTIES UPON OPINION. H . Bradlaugb Bonner. 6d., cloth IS. od. FIRST PRINCIPLES. Herbert Spencer. 2 vols, each IS. od. CONFESSION OF FAITH. Ernst Haeckel. 6d. THE ETHICAL MOVEMENT. IS. od. BRAVE CITIZENS. F. J. Gould. IS. od. MODERN HU~IANISTS . J . M. Robertson. IS. od. WEAT TO READ. J. M. Robertson. 2d. FAITH IN MAN. Gustav Spill er. IS. od . THE CHURCHES AND MODERN THOUGHT. Philip Vivian. Paper 6d. cloth

IS. od. TWELVE YEARS IN A MONASTERY. Jcseph McCabe. Gel. NEW TRUTHS FOR OLD. Robb Lawson. IS. od. THE MEANING OF RA':10NALIS~!. Watts. 6d. THE NEW TREND IN RELIGION. 6d. TEEIS~1 FOUND WANTING. W. S. Godfrey. 3d . EVEN AS You AND 1. Bolton Hall. IS. od. FACTS AND FANCIES FOR BoyS AND GIRLS. H. B. Bonner. IS. lId. iIIEIGIlDOURIlOOD Gun.us. Stanton Coit. IS. lId. SONGS OF LOVE AND DUTY. With Music. 6d. THE GERMAN PANIC. J. A. Hobson. Id. EVOLUTIONARY ETHICS. Clarence Seyler. 2d. TEE LABOUR SYSTE1[ OF ASSAM. H. Bradlaugh Bonner. 3d . THE CHRISTIAN HELL, FRO~[ THE FIRST TO TIlE 20TU ·ENTURY. n.

Bradlaugh Bonner. Cloth gd . THE FUTURE OF WOMAN. nerbert Burrows. Id. THE DEVELonIENT OF CHA)IBER MUSIC. Richard H. Walthew. 6d. THE LITERARY GUIDE. Monthly, 2d. THE ETHICAL WORLD. Monthly, 2d. THE R.P.A. ANNUAL, Ig14. 6d. Tm: RATIONALIST PRESS ASSOCIATION'S 6d. REPRINTS, etc. 4,d. TIlE R.P.A. PA~[PTlLETS, VARIOUS. 2d., Id., and ,d.

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ReNeRRRY epPIC!BRS.

Treasurer F. W. RE ... D, 65, Hllrlcy Road, Harlesden. N. W.

Socretaries {Mrs. O. FLUCHER SMITH, 17, Sydenham Park, S.E.

.•. C. J. POLT .. ARD, •. Looc," 'Iho Avonno, Chingford.

Registrar of Members and} . A.sociat.. ... ... ... 1\1188 F. BEcnAlI, 00, Oeldeston Road, Clapton, N.E.

S"nc/ay Leet,.,.e Secretary

Nditot 0/ MO'ltlily LiBt ...

LlbrarianB

W. RAWLINOS, ~06, Mar. Street, Hackney, N.E.

W. L. MARTIN, 10. Lincoln Road, East Finohley,

{Miss MAny RAWLINOS, ~06, Mare Street, Haokney, N.E. W HLIS MANsronn, Cberr, Tr •• Court, 5S, Alderaint. Street. E.O

Treasllrers and TrlUtees {J. R. C.t.RT';R, Old rran. Wallin!!ton, SUTTe.v. of the Rebuildin" Fund E. CUNNINOnAlI, 52, Bow Lane, Oheal>"ide, E.C.

J onN ~'\LDRBD. MISS H. M. FAIRD.,.L E. J. FAIRDALL. A. E. FENTON. J. HHLAl/' W. T. HARVEY. MI". F. A. ],AW.

BuUdlng

Concert

Discussion

Fina.nce

Members

Music

Publications

Rambles .,.

Season Ticket

SOIree

Sunday School

Organist

New Member:

Members of General eommittee.

N. LIDSTONP.. MRS. LID~TONE. MRS. A. LISTER. Mns. HOLYOAKE "hasH F. M. OVEny. ~fRs. E. G. O ... ERY. C .. 1. POLI.ARD.

E. POI.LAnn. F. W. READ. Mns. T. AuorN. M 11.'. C. FLE1'cuEn S'rH'TT W. O. WADE. E. WILLIAlIS. W. T \VUCP.I.

Secretaries of Sub.eommitteee.

F. HERnr.nT MANsronD. Wnlden, Kingsend, Ruislip.

ALFRED J Cr.EMr.NTS, 25, Cam den Rand, N.W.

O. J. POLLARD, Looe, The Avenue, Ohiogford.

W. O. WADE, 67, Pctherton Road. N.

Ill. nrLT. 31. Portland ](oad, Fimbnry Park, N.

Fnun A. HAWKlN8, IS, Thurlow Par" Rond. Dulwioh. R.E

E. WIL"IAlI~, 93, Ashtend Rond, Upper OInpton, N.E.

W. 'r. WrXCEY, 69. (lrovelnnds Road, Pnlmers Green, N.

W. T. WrxcK., 6S, Grovelnnds Road, Pnlmers Oreen. !II

{Miss F. A LAW, 59 llontpelier Rond, Peckhnm. R.E Mr •. ST. A unrN, 18. Emperor's Gate, S.W.

H. SMITR Wr.IC'Tr.R 53. Lornine Rond. Hollowny, N.

l\tiB~ FT.ORE'OCF rOT.r.Ann, "Lnoc IP 'rho '\yrnuf', ChingfOl·d.

Changes of Address: Mr. E. CUN:'iTNO rrA" , to 52. Bow Lanf\, ChC'lLpsido. B.O.

Mr. DnYA,.. OORCORA", to I~ Croh·,m Purk A\'cnu~. Snuth Croyrlon.

N.B.-AIZ communication8 for tlie MonU,ly LtBt sliould be forwarded NOT LAT"R tlian t", IStli 01 th, previolU month to W. L. MARTIN. 10, Liocoln Rand, East Finchl.y, l'