students to new ideas and the truths they mirror, slowly and, if possible, as the actual discoverers were. THE ROMAN FORUM. Dr. Breasted's delightful textbook of ancient history, Ancient Times, a History of the Early World (which was reviewed extensively in the July Open Court) while bringing the results of the latest research with regard to prehistoric and early historic times to the knowledge of the high-school student, does not stop with these early periods but carries history down to the battle of Tours in the eighth century. From the time of the Roman emperors we reproduce (in a slightly enlarged form) the aspect of the Forum Romanum as he reproduces it according to the restoration of Luckenbach. It will be helpful to visitors in Rome by clearing up the chaos of the ruins in their present state. The illustrations adjoined here are explained as follows: A, Temple of Vesta; B, Arch of Augustus; C, Temple of Julius Cæsar; D, Old Basilica of Aemilius; E, New Basilica, Business-Hall of Julius Cæsar; F, Forum, Market Place; G, Cæsar's Senate House; H, Speaker's Platform Built by Augustus (letter omitted; in front and to the left of I); I, Arch of Severus; J, Temple of Saturn; K, Temple of Concord; L, Tabularium for Public Records; M, Temple of Jupiter on the Capitol; N, Forum of Julius Cæsar; O, Forum of Augustus; P, Forum of Peace Built by Vespasian; Q, Forum of Nerva; R, Forum of Trajan; S, Basilica Ulpia of Trajan; T, Trajan's Column; U, V, Trajan's Libraries; W, Hadrian's Temple to Trajan; X, Capitolium. CHINA AND THE WAR. A Chinese scholar sends us the following comment on the recent political situation in China: "China is at present in a vexatious predicament; she is confronted with the alternatives of war against Germany and continued neutrality, either of which seems equally conclusive against her. Which of the two courses China ought to follow is a question which should be decided solely on the basis of utilitarian considerations. The promises which have been made to China have not been fulfilled and probably never will be, and this has led some to think that the Entente Powers have deliberately set a trap for China, and that after China has got into it they will forsake her to her fate. "What some have said with reference to the moral obligation of China to enter the war is, in our opinion, purely sentimental talk. We believe the danger of German imperialism has been exaggerated. It is true that Germany is looking for 'a place in the sun,' but so is every one of the Entente Powers. It is true that the theories of Treitschke and Bernhardi sound very horrible, but we must remember that there is a wide chasm between theory and practice. However horrible such theories may sound, the Germans as a people are far more amiable than Englishmen. The domineering, overbearing attitude of the latter presents a striking contrast to the friendly spirit of the former. "Nor must we identify such theories, as some do, with what is generally known as German Kultur. In our view German Kultur is simply another term for organized efficiency, the application of scientific methods to improving the welfare of the people. And this is what China needs as a remedy for the evils that result from her traditional lassez-faire policy. The social and political scheme of Germany is what China needs to imitate. But such a system, as the Germans themselves, e. g., R. Eucken, fully realize, is liable to degenerate into a kind of paternalism that leaves no room for individual initiative. Hence we need to combine unity with variety, so that while there is organized efficiency, there is also room for 'different experiments of living' and 'varieties of character.' Such is the ideal for China as well as for any other nation." In The Open Court for February, 1917, we made the statement that German and English blood is freely intermingled in marriage relations. We made one mistake which has elicited a correction from some of our readers, one of whom calls our attention to the fact that General Mackensen is not of English or Scotch descent but a lowland German, and that Mackensen is not different from other Holstein names of the same formation with sen, like Hansen, Jensen, Christensen, and so on, the meaning of son "being in the sen and not in the Mac." A MONTHLY MAGAZINE Devoted to the Science of Religion, the Religion of Science, and the Extension of the Religious Parliament Idea. VOL. XXXI (No. 10) OCTOBER, 1917 Copyright by The Open Court Publishing Company, 1917 THE DUTCH REPUBLIC. NO. 737 THE BY ALBERT OOSTERHEERDT. HE peace of Münster in 1648, which concluded the Thirty Years' War in Germany, also brought an end to the eighty years of war between the Dutch republic and Spain. By it the independence of the seven provinces, Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overyssel, Friesland and Groningen, long an established fact, was acknowledged by Spain, which had by this time sunk to the level of a second-rank power, while the formerly insignificant provinces had become the strongest maritime power in the world and the pivotal state in European politics. Its commerce was world-wide, and it was the carrier of Europe; its possessions were found in all continents, and its flag floated on every ocean; it was the seat of industry, the center of learning, the mart of finance, and the home of art and science. It produced a galaxy of names still famous, as Huyghens, De Groot, Vondel, Rubens, Rembrandt, John De Witt, Tromp, De Ruyter, and many others of lesser fame. Spinoza was born in Holland, Descartes found an asylum there, as did later many Huguenots and other refugees. The Netherlands were the United States of Europe, and had proportionately as many immigrants, furnishing a haven for the oppressed of all other countries. During the brilliant administration of John De Witt the nation was often at war but gained in power and prestige. Two wars were fought with England for trade reasons. France under Louis XIV was checkmated, and Sweden defeated in a naval battle in defense of Denmark. A medal was struck with the following inscription: "The laws made secure, religion reformed, kings assisted, protected and conciliated, the peace of the seas maintained, a splendid peace arrived at by force of arms, and the security of the Euro |