Glover of John’s

470 THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO QUARTERLY thing for a new creation." To quote that remark with approval today a man needs ·all Mr Albert Jay Neck's scepticism as to whether "mankind will become happier, wiser or better than they now are"; and he probably needs to reconcile himself, like Mr Nock, to condemnation as "a superfluous man." Still another question may be asked of a critic who reads moral as well as aesthetic evil necessarily into Milton's kind of theology. N o one is likely to dissent from Mr Ross's proof · i~ h.is second chapter that Milton was "inherently aristocratic," or to dissent from his contrast of the poet's religious thinking with the essentially·democratic theology of Roger Williams. It is when Mr Ross says that Milton was "an aristocr~t, even a snob"; that his "ideal aristocrat finally takes on a guise all too human"; that the "powerpolitician in Milton was stronger than the Platonic_idealist- that whimsical little fellow who had stubbed his toe on the .hard rock of secular reality," that the question begins to arise. Practically, Mr Ross cannot forgive the appeal to the gentry of E ngland in /.1 Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth to prove .themselves a true aristocracy by coming to the defence of the best ideals of "the good old cause" in 1660. And psychologic.ally, Mr 'Ross cannot forgive Milton for deriving "his values from a sepse of the past, from Plato, from Spenser, from Christian tra~ clition," and for taking refuge in " ethical and theological abstractions , in a static world of values where the fleshless aristocratic ideal might persist unchanging and unchangeable." The question that arises is, of course, whether-in the light either of practi'cal or of ideal standards-Milton or the supporters of Charles II made the better choice in 1660. If Milton's genius had been practic_al and comic, like that of Machiavelli, he might have accepted Charles as Machiavelli did the Medici in Florence. But if such an acceptance were thinkable in Milton's case, is it certain that either literature or history would be the richer for it? GLOVER OF JOHN'S1 GILBERT. NoRwooo Cecil Rhodes, when he founded his illustrious Scholarships, believed that he was salvaging the United States and certain ICambridgr Rrtrospul, by T . R. GLOVER. Cambridge, at the University Press [Toronto, MacmillAn], 1943, xii, 145 pp., $'1.00. There are three excellent portraits and a notable Jacket. REVIEWS 471 . other regions which Providence had seen fit to place at a lamentable distance from Civilization. As to the soundness of that belief divergence of opinion is increasingly probable, and also as to the·success attained. But at least he gave Oxford a hugely effective advertisement. Whereas England, despite many traditional jests,2 regards her two ancient Universiti.es as perfect equals, if not Heavenly Twins, North America knows only of Oxford; and her typical traveller (in days when such traveJiers existed) found time, before he duly soared to Paris, only for Oxford as an addition to Stratford-on-Avon and the Cheshire Cheese. But now, should any inhabitant of the Western World seek to learn about Cambridge too, this delightful book will instruct him; and will,' moreover , re.veal to him not a little concerning the soul of England. .No man, surely, was ever better qualified than Glover to do this; for, though associated during most of his life (1869-l943) with everything done, said, thought and felt in the University, he was able to take a detached view. A famous classical scholar, a wonderful teacher, for many years Public Orator, he never sank into his environment at Cambridge, or indeed anywhere: his soul was far too sturdy. Nevertheless, he was a don. We all know the donnish type of reminiscence: "Dear old Biggs.,.-died in '72 (or was it '73?)famous for Latin crosswords and sugaring his beer." It cannot be denied that the book contains streaks of this: certain "funny'' stories which it would be uncharitable to quote, snatches of heartbreaking light verse·.and piteous parody. On the other hand, we light upon gems from the finest Cambridge wit of Glover's...