Torrar The Exploltation of Youth—By old. Stovin. Methuen, London In "Totem" the author advances a very. startling theory bearing on the subject of such societies as "Toc the Boy Scouts, the ¥.M.C.A. and all similar bodies' which have os a fundamental ideal the inculcation of team spirit. Most of us have at times wondered, when away from the immediate emotion, just where some of these led: just what was meant by a "chain of Ismps," or what good it did, how the wearing of a B. P, uniform could help to Improve the world, and just what the real point was' in paying such homage to our "alma mater." How-lever, even though our minds may have been a little hazy on the sub-feet, we still folt'that it all lod, though perhaps in an obscure way. to some eventual millennium. "Mr. Stovin holds a. directly contrary view and expounds it very forcefully in this book.
It. ig somewhat diMeult ina paragraph to summarize his point Jot view, more especially as he explains it himself chiefly by quoting from the accepted authorities these various societies, and unless the whole quotation is given it useless, the context being vitally important. He definitely sets out to prove however, that the customs, routines and ceremonies attached to all these bodies are similar, and a definite regressive step, tending to lead directly back to the times when lived in tribes and worshipped a tribal Totem. In fact he assert: that psychologically we are already back there when we give ourselves sup to some of the orgies of mean-ingles ritual in which we sometimes indulge and which he is. at pains to describe.
He spares no one, including the Prince of Wales: of "the Jubilee Trust Fund he says—and no thinking man can deny his point -the cause of the _younrer generation, for, the purpose ofthe Tubitee Trust ts the fause of finding Substitutes for education "For "that Stelion of Rnclish youth eho cannot Stora stay at ow after feneteor whom the present cavernment fine deeded hati com not maintain either, by more. extensive. dines offing or maintain ance peat Pais If we believe that the greater num= ber of people Im England are just fodder for totem, there Is no reason fon earth to prefer "mass education, Whether for "individuality" or anys thing else, to mass slaughter. which right be done with less. crudity' than another war. If. on the other" hi We believe that there lurk here and ur tribes real sources of believe that totem Dleasanily written book, and it pos sotses a peculiarly apposite: printer's error on P. 17l:
Ie" Christmas, She had sent hyn wondered ow John Taylor had men looked towne Dake Farm and
dairy, although she. cow not gine' him ever using the only eternity ina transitory existence, then fin the name of great men we shall shatter "It in pure and. permanent thoughtful and thought-provokhig book with nothing in any way superficial about it, The author has studied his. subject, has digested the various "bibles" of the tribes he condemns, and quotes from these appositely to drive home his points with tolling emphasis. A book which should certainly be read by all interested in "youth movements, Scouting, Toc H, the Student Christian Movement," Oxford Groupers, and all similar societies with a "fellowship" aim—a.c.r.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.