THE NEW HISTORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2321, 14 October 1908, Page 1

THE NEW HISTORY.

Readors will be interested in the announcement that “The Times” has opened a ■ subscription list for the sale in New Zealand of J.ts History.of the World. It is not a little curious at first sight, that, while every ono will admit alike tho intense interest of history and the profit to bo delating to classical Greece is almost enters to so trilling an extent into the horizon of even well read men and women. It has been retained in the schools —hardly, one feus, because of the interest with which the school text hook clothes the subjoct—but the grown man or woman has come to look upon any more profound and detailed survey of. human experience as a close study upon which only the specialist can venture. The educated man in the eighteenth century knew more history than his descendant at the opening of the 20th, and, paradox as it sounds, this ignorance of history arises from the very multitude of historical works published in the 19th century. The number is ■so immense, that one of the initial difficulties of the student of history is to find even -a complete bibliography of the history of any country. The truth is that the only satisfactory form in which history can again be introduced into the circle of ordinary reading—where, indeed, it belongs—is that of a “World History.” This is the course whioh “Tho Times” has taken, issuing a history, which covers 'ill ages and every nation in one consecutive narrative, yet spacious enough to deal with each nation with the vividness which only conics with full detail. Tho history of England, for example, in the “Times” History is dealt with at greater length than it is in Knight, or Bright, or the .longer version of Green;'the portion relating; to classical Greece is almost three times as long as Bury’s .“Ancient! Greece,” while Rome before tho decline runs to the sarno number of words as Mommsen’s history. Australia and New Zealand, it- may be noted, are given 40,000 words. Unlike the latest and most -ambitious* of German Weltgesehiehtcn, that of Chicken ,which is entirely tho jvorklo'f German historians, “The Times”' History reveals .no tendency, to deal with ' other"itati'ohs merely secondary factors in British history. This vital error was from the beginning prevented by a scheme of internvtional collaboration. Tho full treatment of foreign .nations from the inside not only gives the reader a true historical perspective, and vastly adds! to his interest, but also it is practically to be recommended since none i can tell what cpiarter of the globe! may not suddenly become the centre of contemporary politics. Ten years ago the average Englishman would scarcely have foreseen the necessity of understanding Japanese histofy and a few months ago any one might have thought the chapter in the History upon Bosnia-Flerzego-vina a supererogatory contribv.rion. While, however, fault may be found with the German world histories, no one who has any acquaintance. with modern Germany can doubt tint its amazing progress is largely due to the historical knowledge; so widely disseminated among all classes. The twentieth century opens upon a period of acute self-con-sciousness. The destiny of the Empire is canvassed at every street corner. History supplies the one light by which to pierce the veil of the future, and the only rational guide to conduct. “The Times” History, Which now places at the disposal of the general reader the results of the vast historical labors of /the 19th century, is well-timed. It was written to be read, and will reveal the finest fiction in interest. No one should allow the book to pass without making himself acquainted with its character and contents.