Mr. Edward Jenks is well known from his many contributions to the history
of medieval and English law. The present is a work of somewhat different
kind. It is an account of the institutions and practical operation of the British
government intended for general reading and study: for "those who have
not yet the leisure, or who have not yet arrived at the age, to appreciate" the
larger and more technical works, as the preface says. It must be said that
Mr. Jenks has succeeded admirably in his purpose, and has made a book which
ought to be of great value to the public. It is written in an attractive style;
the presentation, though full enough and accurate, is not technical; and the
subjects to be emphasized are so well selected that the account is clear and
easily retained. The understanding of the various institutions and their
operation is made easier by brief historical accounts of their origin and devel-
opment, going often to remote beginnings, which explain how their especially
important features came to be what they are. The book begins with an
account of the king's position and of the limited monarchy. Then the position
in the Empire of the Dominions and other colonies and possessions is described.
There follow chapters on the Cabinet, Parliament, the army and navy, and the
Treasury and the other Departments. Particularly interesting to Americans
should be the last four chapters dealing with institutions which are essentially
the same as ours but rather differently organized: the courts of justice, the
established churches, and the two last on local government, allusions to which
are often a puzzle to us. While constitutional legislation during the war
period is adequately dealt with, there is no attempt to estimate the possible
changes which have taken place in the unwritten law of the constitution, as
for instance in the responsibility of the Cabinet to Parliament, of which no
one can yet predict the permanent effect.
One cannot avoid comparing the book with the older one of Mr. J. A. R.