THE expectation aroused by Mr. Laski's provocative title is more than fulfilled by the first of this interesting group of essays. The gentleman stigmatized is the gentleman who has ruled England for the past two centuries; he is a way of life whose manifestations in politics and international affairs have at least in part been responsible for the present war. Mr. Laski's strictures against him, and his conviction that the type must inevitably go, are tempered by a certain ironical fondness which is to be explained in terms of the fact that the essay was written in 1932.

The earliest of the essays, "On the Study of Politics," an admirable confession of faith, goes back to 1926, and the latest, "The English Constitution and French Public Opinion, 1789-1794," is of 1938. The intervening studies, "Law and Justice in Soviet Russia," "The Judicial Function," "The Committee System in English Local Government," "Nationalism and the Future of Civilization," and "Mr. Justice Holmes," as well as the title essay, show the author's brilliant, liberal mind attacking a wide variety of problems. In only one case--the "Nationalism" speech--has he found it necessary to make some additions as of 1939. And the additions only point out what is already clear--Mr. Laski's conclusion that a federation of nations is essential is even more true in 1939 than it was in 1932.

There is no need to praise the intelligence of Mr. Laski's thought nor the excellence of his expression, for knowledge of both is already common property, particularly at Harvard. What should not pass without comment is the single unifying element which comes to the surface in all eight chapters of this book; the author's indomitable optimism. How long it will now remain with him is another question; but the fact that he has it at all is noteworthy. If the world which must be rebuilt after this war is over can number Mr. Laski among its architects, then his optimism will be more than justified. And we shall profit by it.