Luxury.Emile de Laveleye

Abstract

Book Reviews. 129 particular interests; and the small minority of those who did not belong to the dominant section, or who did not wish to promote its special interests, might find themselves unable to cooperate in a friendly way with the majority. But I suppose this difficulty would be to a considerable extent removed by the cooperation of the various guilds with one another, and by the personality of their leaders. In the fourth place, some may be disposed to think. that the absence of religious enthusiasm would prevent the work from being carried on with the same fervor as that which we may expect from the members of the Salvation Army. But Dr. Coit is probably right in thinking that the enthusiasm for social improvement is of itself quite sufficient, when rightly appealed to, to supply all the motive force that is required. And certainly, at least, the religious neutrality of the scheme would render it acceptable to a much greater variety of people than it could otherwise hope to reach. But whatever weight there may be in these difficulties, and in many more that might easily be suggested, it can, at least, not be denied that the scheme is a practicable one, and one that will produce beneficial results. It has already been tried and found useful. There have for some years been more than one such guild in America, and there are now at least two ih London, and those who know anything of the working of them cannot doubt that they are rendering a most valuable service. Dr. Coit's book is one of the most interesting additions that have yet been made to the admirable series to which it belongs. It is full of practical insight and wise suggestiveness. No student of social questions can afford to neglect it; and few will rise from the perusal of it without feeling that they have derived from it, in a very high degree, encouragement and help. J. S. MACKENZIE. LUXURY.