Contemporary Ireland

In exchange for the swords of the Wild Geese, France sent us back priests, or at least the learning that turned Irish boys into priests. She sent too, in later and not less disastrous years, Hoche and Humbert and both nations have good memories, and until a very little while ago they shared a common hatred. The Irish mind, is, moreover, like the French, lucid, vigorous and positive, though less methodical, since it nevcr had the happiness to undergo the Latin discipline. France and Ireland have been made to understand each other. Paul-Dubois, then, has the advantage of temperamental sympathy, wise forerunners, and a long tradition. He had, further, the advantage of language, for it is perhaps only in French that Sociology can become scientific without ceasing to be human. His-personal equipment is of the first order Son of the late Prsident ofithe Acadkmic des Beaux-Arts, son-in-law of the great Taine, and himself one of the chief oficials of the Cour des Comptes, he is a member of the group which Bruneticres erudite enthusiasm gathered round the Rewaie des DEW Mondcs. Was it not Taine who originated the phrase well-documented, and made it the touchstone of all books dealing with social or historical science At all events it is in that spirit of thoroughness.........