The Monthly Record South Place Ethical Society

Non-Members may receive this publication by post on payment of 2/6 per annum. SEPTEMBER 1938

The Monthly Record of South Place Ethical Society CONWAY HALL, RED LION SQUARE, W.C.1.

Telephone: CHANCERY 9032.

THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY are the study and dissemination of ethical principles and the cultivation of a rational religious sentiment."

Sunday Morning Meetings

at ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

For particulars of the meetings of the World Union of Freethinkers' Inter- national Congress, London—Friday, September 9, to Tuesday, September 13— see page 11

September 18—LAURENCE HOUSMAN—Extremists Sonata for Violoncello and Pianoforte Caporale (1746) Largo-Allegro-Adagio-Allegro. Miss MURIEL TAYLOR and Mr. WILLIAM BUSCH

No. 5. Britain's first poet. I amous old Chaucer. Hymns No. 100. What is it that the crowd requite.

September 25—PROFESSOR T. H. PEAR, M.A., B.Sc.—Vehicles and Routes of Thinking Soprano Solo: Ah, lo so .. Mozart MISS HEBE SIMPSON, Bass Solo: Whither? .. Schubert Mr. G. C. HOWMAN.

No. 66 (tune 217). All common things, each day's events. Hymns No. 16. 0, help the prophet to he bold.

October 2 — PROFESSOR H. LEVY, D.Sc. — " I Accuse Pianoforte Solo .. Pianist : Mr. WILLIAM BUSCH. ,No. 141. 0, star of strength. I see thee stand. Hymns No. 147. Earnest words must needs be spoken.

Pianist : Mr. WIILLIAM BUSCH,

A Collection is ntade at each Meeting, to enable those present to contribute to the expenses of the Society.

VISITORS WELCOME. OFFICIAL CAR PARK—OPPOsiLe Main Entrance. 2

MEMBERSHIP Any person in sympathy with the Objects of the Society is cordially invited to become a MEMBER. The minimum annual subscription is 10.9., but it is hoped that Members will subscribe as generously as possible and so assist the Society to meet its heavy annual expenditure. Any person may join as an Associate, but will not be eligible to vote or hold office. Further particulars may be obtained before and after the Services or on application to the Hon. Registrar, Mrs. E. Washbrook, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, W.C.1, to whom all subscriptions should be paid. HONORARY OFFICERS Editor of MONTHLY RECORD F. G. GOULD, Woodrising, Trapps Hill, Loughton, Essex. Minutes Secretary...... F. A. SOWAN, 38 Ellerton Road, S.W.18. Registrar of Members and N.1. Associates...... 1Mrs. E. WASHBROOK, 33 Claremont Close. Treasurer ... .., C. E. LISTER, COMVIly Hall, w.c.1. GENERAL COMMITTEE C. E. BARRALET. H. LIDSTONE. Miss I. THOMPSON. MiSS D. WALTERS. E. J. FAIRHALL. Mrs. LINDSAY. F. WASHBROOIC. W. FISH. MTS. LISTER. MTS. WATSON. MTS. GAMBLE. A. 0. ORRETT. MiSS F. WILKINS. Miss. R.. HALLS. C. J. POLLARD. Miss D. WINTER. G. HUTCHINSON. MTS. JAMES. J. RONEY. MTS. WOOD.

Secretary : S. G. Green, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, W.C.1.

MARRIAGES. Conway Hall is registered for marriages. FUNERAL SERVICES can be arranged by the Society, Applications should be addressed to the Secretary. • * The Society does not hold itself responsible for views expressed or reported in the "RECORD."

FACTS AND VALUES A little bad philosophy goes a long way, as some of our scientists have shown in their popular writings. They have passed through a maze of mathematical symbols to discover in the end only that the universe is mysterious, or that it is made by the Deity they heard of, when they were children. It is indeed always dangerous to erect a philosophy upon the basis of any one of the physical sciences, because philosophy, if it is to be an account of the world we live in, must at least include references to all the aspects of that world known to us at any moment. But any one of the sciences, such as physics, must begin by isolating from the world of apples and hats, the spacial relations of such things as these: and if, having dealt with the nature of spheres and circles, the scientist forgets that he found his sphere and circle originally in an apple or a hat, he may, in the end, persuade himself that the apple or the hat is unreal. But those who study facts have a still more dangerous habit of omitting to notice values. There is nothing mysterious about a value. The apple has a value called beauty; and even a hat may have that. And both have subsidiary moral value, if they are good, as means to be used for right action. Even the barest statement about facts would not exist if there were not an appetite for another kind of value, called truth, to which scientists devote themselves. But beauty, goodness and truth are not " things," like apples and hats; nor are they facts of the same kind as circles and numbers. Values, however, exist; and if what is meant by " real " is that what is called "real" exists, then values are " real." But such vague statements as that " the real is the good " or " the good is the real" are worse than useless; and yet Hegel and his follower, Marx, confused themselves by precisely such vague statements. They did not distinguish facts from values. - The conception that facts are bound together by a law of cause and effect may 1 be very useful in the physical sciences; but it may be misleading, if it implies an exclusion of all values from the explanation of the world given in philosophy. It is not necessary, however, to discuss philosophy in general. Our interest here is in the right and the good; that is to say, in the values found in certain human actions and their results. And these values are quite distinct from such facts as power or force, or success or failure. They are not the inevitable results of pre-existing causes. The language we use about them should be quite different from that used in the description of facts; and no amount of knowledge of facts will necessarily give an appreciation of values. For example, a scientific account of the facts of geography, contained in the names and positions of mountains and riven, cannot give an adequate understanding of what a mountain or a river is, to a person who has no appreciation of the beauty of either. But the perception of values is most important when we consider social situations or personal action. There are elaborate social sciences which are descriptions of fact. There is research into the facts of poverty and malnutrition. But it is possible to have a great knowledge of such facts as these without having any appreciation of the value called justice. That is the reason why so little is done to overcome the defects of our social system. A knowledge of the facts about it may indeed become actually an obstacle to action for the sake of justice, because any elaborate study of facts tends to make the student believe that facts as they are, are inevitable. He sees the inevitable connection between one fact and another, but he does not see that neither of the facts in the situation he studies need exist. Thus, it is assumed that in times of war men and women can and ought to sacrifice their private interests to the common good. Right action for the sake of justice is clear enough when " the nation needs you." But it is assumed also, and quite wrongly, that in times of peace each man or woman can safely act for personal advantage only, in the false belief that the result will be good for the whole community. The accumulation of private wealth in times of peace by those who have exceptional opportunities or peculiar abilities is one of the direct causes of poverty and malnutrition among those who are less fortunate. It is one of the causes of an unjust social situation; and the actions which support such a situation cannot be right. But men in power, and great numbers of those who have enough for themselves, know the facts quite well enough. To imagine that we need still more research to show how little a man can live upon or how many are starving, is simply an excuse for inaction. But no action will ever be taken by individuals or by those with public authority, unless the sense of that value which is called justice, is much more powerful among us. Unfortunately the sense of justice is too often dependent upon that most annoying type of persuasion, the exhortation to virtue. Preachers depend too much upon exciting emotions on Sunday, which have been exhausted by Monday morning. But the study of the world we live in should increase not merely our knowledge of facts, but also our sense of values; and this sense of values is as dependent upon reasoning as is the knowledge of facts. Rationalism is not concerned only with facts. Reasoning is not mere calculation. Indeed, even in science imagination is as useful as analysis and numbering, But all real reasoning about actual life or about things as they are combines both the awareness of fact and the sense of value. These two cannot be safely separated. To see the situation as it is, for example, in the distressed areas of South Wales or of Durham, is to feel that all those who have enough for themselves have failed in their duty to others. We use coal and travel in trains, without thinking of the effects of our actions upon those whose labour makes our own lives possible. The sense of justice, where it exists, is often reduced to a mere discomfort at some grievance of our own; and the quality of the life in a community which allows poverty to continue, is not felt as a disgrace to a nation which claims to be civilised. The sense of justice is primitive and ineffectual because our feeling is not as well trained as our knowledge of facts. Education gives mainly information about facts; and more information is continually added to our store in the sciences. But the sense of values and the appreciation of new values is neglected, because we accept too readily the traditional values of our ancestors. Justice is not reasoned about. We take the situation, which includes the poverty of millions, as if it were in the nature of things and not merely a survival of bad habits. C. BELISLE BURNS. 4

HR. \X,/ P LURRY, M.A., BSc , ON - PHILOSOPHY AND THE. PHYSICISTS " DR. MORITZ J. BONN ON '• WAR AND ECONOMICS and with it the old belief in the sacredness of contracts. The insecurity of Society's foundations was made clear. The war was a golden age for the planners, whether they were generals or trade union leaders. We all believed in planning. The Government, we thought, would, if given complete control of our economic lives, become geniuses. Was our belief warranted? Planning in Russia seems to have been fairly successful. Brazil and the U.S.A. have planned so well that the first has more coffee than it can profitably sell, while the second has lost most of its cotton markets abroad. If we are faced with another war, what sort of war will it be? Either (I) " total war " as described by Ludendorff; (2) a war in which we produce totally and have an ally to do the fighting; or (3) an Intensive aircraft war, over in a few weeks. Nobody knows which will take place. The third is the easiest from the economic point of view and is the only one for which it is possible to plan. We must be very elastic, but we must face the worst alternative. If a nation embarks on a long drawn-out war it cannot produce all the goods it wants without an organisation of a socialist type. A socialist society will most easily move from peace to war-time conditions. A freely competitive society would have much greater difficulty In adapting itself. Our international economic system is lamentable. It broke down over the Abyssinian affair. We should think about it now, before a war is upon us. The sanctions problem is a problem of peace also. What we really need is less discussion of the military side and more discussion of the economic. It would be a wise move to repay our debt to the U.S.A. There should be some attempt to outline a co- operative economic policy. What is the good of military alliances if you have economic worries? The sooner we put our minds to it the safer the world will be.

F. A. S. PROFESSOR J. C. FLUGEL, D.Sc., ON " ARE THERE MENTAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEXES ?" (July 17, 1938) Readings from: (1) " Virginibus puerisque," by R. L. Stevenson. (2) " How the Mind Works," edited by Professor Cyril Burt. Section by Professor Burt. Professor Flugel said his subject was somewhat delicate and difficult and our views on sex differences are likely to be coloured by what we think they ought to be. A great cleavage of opinion was illustrated by the frontages of the German and Russian Pavilions at the Paris Exhibition last year. The German statues showed the woman pushing forward sons and husband to work, and perhaps to battle, while she remained in the background. The Russian entrance was dominated by a gigantic couple striding forward aggressively to work in common. It is often difficult to discover whether differences are due to nature or to nurture. To a large extent in the present stage of our knowledge we have to content ourselves with finding reliable differences without being too dogmatic as to causes. From the earliest times psychologists have tried to distinguish types of human beings, but their search ha's not met with great success, as there is nearly always considerable overlap, but the two sexes are the ideal type of differences. In the reproductive organs there is scarcely any overlap and there are other important broad secondary distinctions such as height and weight. Mental differences are considerably smaller. Experimental psychologists started with the sensory functions. As to pain, it was imagined that women bore pain better than men. This form of experiment is not very popular, but investigation shows extremely little difference between the sexes: women feel pain rather more acutely, but make less fuss about it. Men have been found to be slightly superior in ability to distinguish small differences in weights, but women distinguish differences of temperature better, and they endure cold better than men, perhaps because they have a larger supply of fat. There are interesting differences in regard to power of distinguishing sweet, sour, salt or bitter tastes. In general, women are slightly superior. Little difference is disclosed in the power of hearing, but women are slightly superior in detecting pitch. Women distinguish colours much better than men. Colour blindness in its more usual form of red-green blindness is confined to men. It is a Mendelian recessive in women—the mother gives It to her sons, but does not have it herself. Women are endowed with more efficient and retentive memories. In reading, Writing and literary abilities women are generally superior; Men and boys are superior in mathematics and mechanics, but there is doubt here whether biological or sociological differences are being dealt with. As to means of measuring knowledge generally, intelligence has been measured extensively. Differences are practically negligible. This gives rise to interesting problems. The evidence seems to conflict with that of History which records so many celebrated men and so few celebrated women. As regards special abilities, there are far more male than female prodigies. Among specially gifted children, 55 per cent, are boys. The difference between achievement and intelligence is due to environmental and social influence encouraging men to make use of their gifts and discouraging women. Against this it is argued that in the special women's spheres there are more celebrated men. In acting and the writing of fletion, women are predominant, but in domestic spheres all the gadgets for lightening domestic work women have not have been insented by men. In such spheres as music and Painting, met with discouragement, but the number of celebrated women is smaller than men. Statistics shew, however, that while there are more male geniuses, there are more male idiots, criminals, deaf-mutes, left-handers, sufferers from colour blindness, and sexual perverts—an aspect of greater male variability. Large-scale investigation of the age at which boys and girls enter jobs shows that boys are earlier than girls, although intelligence tests show equality. It is sometimes said that men supply greater creativeness in the social sphere. Those who teach men and women under the same conditions are of this opinion. When they ask for an essay regarding actual facts, women do it On the whole slightly better, but when criticism of the facts is required, men excel. They accept data, but look at them from a new point of view. It may be an aspect of male catabolism which sublimated in the social sphere gives them greater initiative. Men usually propose in the sexual sphere, they are also more actively aggressive in the social sphere. It is also found that women tend to be more suggestible. This opens up the possibility of character differences in general. Women are often supposed to possess superior power of judging character, but they have not proved themselves under test. A woman more often perhaps pays attention to a man's character. She studies rather than listens to him. Women tend to lying and deceitfulness, or have a tendency to an excess of moral subtleness. They have ready wit. It is nearly always the woman who saves a compromising situation. Women, on the whole, are more absorbed in themselves. This is to some extent biologically determined. Men's love is more objective. We encourage these differences by a greater degree of exhibitionism in women. Men can only hope to be correctly dressed, but women can be beautifully dressed. Men are more social. Pubs and clubs are male institutions. Men are more loyal to Groups than to Persons, but this may be an exaggeration. Since Women have had the vote, wars have not been less numerous. Women are supposed to be more envious and jealous. Thirty years ago enquiries among many boys and girls showed that 35 per cent, of the girls wished to be men, but only one boy wanted to change. German children showed no humour: several girls said it was wicked to wish to be a man. Among American children, many girls wished to be men, but a few boys wished to be women. Women are supposed to be more infantile. As regards their diseases, many are common to women and children. Few are peculiar to men and children. This is not necessarily to the disadvantage of women. At present, except for our knowledge of simple mental characteristics, our knowledge is small. We are still much in the dark as regards accurate scientific determination of more Complex mental processes. We are dealing in these researches with the two most interesting beings in the world—man and woman. F. G. G.

MR. JOHN LANGDON-DAVIES ON - MENTAL ASPECTS OF A.R.P. (July 24, 1938) Mr, Langdon-Davies began by describing from personal observation the nature of modern air raids on the civilian population of Barcelona. He showed how the Most valuable results from the point of view of the attack are not the destruction of military objectives, but the dislocating of the lives of the population as a whole Therefore, he continued, all AR.P. programmes should be based upon a realiSation that air raids are a psychological weapon, aiming at the nerve centres of the man in the street. It is not sufficient to do everything possible to avoid casualties. The essential object of the defence must be to put itself in a condition where the work and mobility of the community is safeguarded. The first step must be to evacuate as large a proportion of the " useless population " as possible. Here Mr. Langdon-Davies laid great emphasis upon the need to fashion A.R.P. 8 programmes in such a way that they have a peace-time value. War may never come: but if we can draw peace-time dividends from our A.R.?. expenditure, the waste will be less. Nothing could be more valuable from the point of view of the community's health than that every child in an urban area should have a month in the country. Let us, therefore, combine our war-time evacuation schemes with a peace-time health scheme. Every elementary school should be evacuated as a unit, with its teachers and its delegations of parents, to some country spot prepared for it. If this were done in peace-time, it could be done like clockwork on the outbreak of war. People must realise that war conditions cannot be faced with the motto "Business as Usual." Habits must be changed. For example, we cannot risk the lives of transport workers in war-time by permitting people to live in the suburbs or the country far away from their work. We should have to insist upon all essential office and other workers sleeping where they work when war broke out. Such change of habits involved a grave danger of increased power of the State over the individual. Therefore no AR.P. programme can be successful unless the Government makes every effort to safeguard democratic principles by extending democratic control over the whole field. For example, the imposing of Air Wardens on a neighbourhood is fatal. In Barcelona it has been found necessary to have groups of neighbours select their own Air Wardens from among themselves, so as to secure mutual trust and co-operation. That nart of the population, whose work is essential to the carrying on of the life of the community during a war, must be protected as far as possible, but all your plans for air-raid shelters must include a realisation that, if everybody went to complete safety 80 feet below the surface of the ground so that there Were no casualties, the war nevertheless would be lost owing, to the immobilising of essential services Commenting.on the point of view that A.R.?. is either useless or a subterfuge for militarising public opinion, Mr. Langdon-Davies said he could not see any good coming to democracy from leaving London in a condition to be bombed into panic bY Fascist Air Bandits. He also commented on the fact that certain readers of his book. " Air Raid." drew the moral that no A.R.P. Programme could be effective. He denied this, and insisted that not only can we have effective ARP., but that public opinion must insist on the Government doing a great deal more than it is doing at present, in order to see that we have necessary precautions. J. L. D.

A MONTH IN NEW ZEALAND AUCKLAND, July 5, 1938. It is doubtless a mistake, comparatively speaking, to be in New Zealand at mid- winter; but what is one to do when one's itinerary is governed by such implacable circumstances as speaking engagements in the United States, at both ends, as well as in the Hawaiian Islands and Australia? Two protests are certain to be heard from New Zealand friends in this case: first, to the effect that it is a pity to be In their part of the Pacific during June and July, and secondly, that it is a shame, what- ever the season, to leave out the South Island, with its delightful cities and unequalled scenic splendours. For us, however, both decisions were matters of necessity. Tne dates could not be changed, and the short time available, between two sailings of the Matson Line, compelled us to limit ourselves to the North Island. There have been compensations. The winter, climate above the Straits is mild enough to make the mountain resorts enjoyable, and Wellington, where we spent ten Cws, is crowded with interest, particularly in relation to the Labour Government and the approach- ing general election. On the way south from Auckland we visited Rotorua and other points of the Thermal Wonderland. The air is crystalline, perfect; mountain and lake make an exquisite combination; the geysers and pools of boiling mud have an odd fascination. The region, indeed, is unique. People of my generation, I suppose, shaped their mental pictures of these remarkable phenomena mainly with the aid of J. A. Froude's account in that almost forgotten book " Oceans ". That description could not be repeated to-day, for soon after Froude's visit in the middle 1880s the glorious Pink Terraces were submerged and with them went the most spectacular feature of the North Island. But the curiosities of the thermal district remain; and if the tourist does what we did—that is, if he takes the motor-coach (called a service-car in New Zealand) from Rotorua over the ranges to Napier, he will enjoy a mountain journey which cannot easily be excelled for wildness and hairpin thrills. Napier was destroyed by earthquake in 1931. Its central portion has been entirely rebuilt, and it is now the most attractive of the North Island's smaller cities. The Savage Government is the first Labour Ministry in the British Empire to hold office with full power. It had the great advantage of coming in amid the conditions of economic recovery. Hence there are many to assert that its remarkable record in social legislation has been due neither to the ability of Ministers nor to the

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111 1\ 111/11111 1 L1 11 III 10 and remade. This place is wholly a creation of the past twenty years. The Federal capital territory is a fine tract of country. 900 square miles of mountain and bush, the plateau upon which the city spreads out being 1,800 feet above sea-level. We have a semi-circle of hills with mountains beyond. Morning and evening produce magical lights, Days of radiant winter sunshine are divided by frcsty nights. At this moment Canberra has about 10.500 people and 2,500 houses. More Government departments are coming, the house shortage is acute. One finds it hard to understand why the builders should not be furiously at work, since a large revenue from rents is ready to flow in. On the contrary, however, the sparkling air envelopes a scene that recalls the making of King Solomon's Temple : " No hammer fell, no ponderous axes rang "—except that in their absence here no mystic fabrics are arising! But all, no doubt, in good time. The plan of Canberra was drawn by an American architect. The city is and will be markedly un-Ainerican, in grouping and the lines of the avenues. An Imposing new feature—and many people would say the most serious mistake—is the vast and costly war-memorial museum, outside which one sees this week a batch of field-guns being carried. Why? There are 70,000 names of dead soldiers to be inscribed on the walls inside. Several churches have already been built; two cathedrals—Anglican and Reman Catholic—are projected. Need one add that the site upon which the latter will stand is not, like the poet's haven, under the hill. Friendly people inhabit Canberra, and many keen public servants. Something about them, perhaps, I may write next month. You have the advantage in the new air-mail. At this end we pay fivepence! S. K. RATCLIFFE. NOTES Arrangements for the International Congress of the World Union of Freethinkers have now been completed. Two nominees of the General Committee of SOUTH PLACE ETHICAL SOCIETY are members of the Executive Committee for the Congress, and they have attended meetings held in the R.P.A. Library at Johnson's Court on eight occasions since July 20 of last year. Their fellow members are representatives of the Ethical Union, Rationalist Press Association, and the National Secular Society. Our own nominees have much appreciated this opportunity of collaboration with other sympathetic organisations, and they pay tribute to the able chairmanship of Mr. Chapman Cohen, and to the tireless diligence and efficiency of the Hon. Secretary. Mr. Charles Bradlaugh Bonner. The hard work and enthusiasm of these two gentlemen is what might have been expected. Mr. Cohen succeeded the late Mr. G. W. Foote, many years ago, as President of the National Secular Society which was founded in 1866 by Charles Bradlaugh its first President. Mr. C. B. Bonner, is the son of the late Mrs. Hypatia Bradlaugh Bonner, J.P., and therefore grandson to the great pioneer of Freethought and Social Reform. The World Union of Freethinkers was founded in 1880 when Bradlaugh was in the heyday of his powers, by the joint efforts of the Belgian Freethought Societies, the Dutch Societies, and the National Secular Society at a ccngress at Brussels. Its first general congress was held in London in Ian, as was also its fourth in 1887. We cannot find any references to these congresses in such records of South Place as are available to us, but there is a significant reference in the Annual Report for 1881 to Bradlaugh's inability to take his seat in Parliament, and to the effective manner in which " this disgraceful attempt to wrest constitutional forms into the service of theological animosity was dealt with by Mr. Conway in his lecture ' The Oath and its Ethics.' The Committee sent a copy of the address when publishcd to every Member of Parliament and to the editors of the leading newspapers." Unfortunately theological animosity still exists and intolerant efforts have been made to prevent the holding of this Congress of 1938. They have not availed, but it is important that our members should attend as many meetings as practicable in order to demonstrate their determination to support freedom of speech and meeting. It is only to the meeting on Sunday, September 11, that it should be possible for the general public to obtain admission, and the number of seats available for those not provided with tickets is likely to be small. The Executive Committee are taking all reasonable precautions, and no serious trouble is anticipated. On Friday evening, September 9, from 7 p.m., SOUTH PLACE Enucm. SOCIETY Will be in the special position of host. It is probable that one of our members will take the Chair. A number of our ladies are making themselves responsible for the preparation and service of light refreshments. As there may be present as many as 300 persons their task will not be light. During the course of the reception there will be music and short speeches. It should, perhaps, be stated that Soum Ptsce ETHICAL SOCIETY is not affiliated to the World Union, but nevertheless the Committee believed it right and proper to accept the invitation to co-operate in the arrangements for the Congress, and it is confident that the members will show practically by their presence at the variouS meetings that they approve the action which has been taken, 11 WORLD UNION OF FREETHINKERS INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS LONDON—FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, TO TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1938 All sessions will be held at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, W.C.1, except that on Sunday evening. This Congress is convened for the promotion of Freethought, and tickets will be issued admitting to its sessions on the distinct understanding that the holders are members of the Rationalist Press Association, the National Secular Society, the South Place Ethical Society, or the Ethical Union, or are spon- sored by a member of one of these Societies and are in sympathy with the aims of the Congress. FRIDAY, SEPT. 9 7 p.m. Reception and Social Evening. SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 10.30 a.m. Opening of the Congress by DR. M. TERWAGNE (Belgium), President of the World Union of Freethinkers. Morning Session Subject: " The Present Religious Reaction and the Menace of the Vatican." Speakers : JOSEPH MCCABE, PAUL BRAUN (Belgium), A. LORU- LOT (France), A. FLANDERS, J. P. Gastouri (Chair). Afternoon Session: 2.30 Subject: " Youth, the Schools. and Freethought." Speakers: DR. F. H. HAYWARD, W. B. CURRY, M.A., B.Sc., R. STRIVAY (Belgium). Evening Session: 7 Subject: " Science and the Churches." Speakers : DR. DAVID FORSYTH, PROF. J. B. S. HALDANE, F.R.S, PROF. H. LEVY, B. ZAVADOSKY (U.S.S.R.).

SUNDAY,SEP T. 11 Morning Session: 10.30 Subject: " The Reality of a Secular Ethic." Speakers : J. P. GILMOUR, CHAPMAN COHEN, DR. NOVAK (CzeCh0,910Nrakia) DR HORACE BRIDGES (Chair). Afternoon Session: 2.30 Regional Reports; South Africa, West Africa, India, China and Hong Kong, United States, etc. Evening : 7 Demonstration at the Scala Theatre, Charlotte Street, Lon- don, W.I. Subject : "Freethought and the Struggle for Peace and Liberty." Speakers : CHAPMAN COHEN (Chair), G. D. H. COLE, PROF. LANCELOT HOGBEN, F.R.S., JOHN LANGDON-DAVIES, and others. Separate tickets for reserved seats are issued for this meeting. It is hoped that members will bring as many friends and sympathisers as they can. MONDAY. SEPT. 12 Morning Session: 10.30 Conclusion of Reports, Resolutions. Afternoon : 2.30 Tour of London with W. Kent (editor of Encyclopcedia of London, author of London for Heretics, etc.). Cast 35. including coach and tea. Evening . 6.30 Reception and Dinner at the Trocadero. Speakers : CHAPMAN COHEN (Chair), DR. C. E. M. JOAD. and others. TUESDAY, SEPT. 13 Visit to the Bradlaugh Tomb at Brookwood, leaving the Necropolis Station at Lambeth at 11.40 a.m. There will be no charge for admission to the Sessions or to the Demonstration. The Dinner will be 10s. 6d. and the fare (3rd class) to Brookwood 2s. return. This is the twenty-fifth International Congress held under the auspices of the World Union of Freethinkers, formerly known as the Federation of Freethought Societies. This body was established in 1880 at Brussels. Its first Congress was held in London, and the seat of its Council was for four years in London. The last Congress it held in England was in 1887, when it took place in London. All inquiries and applications for tickets should be addressed to the Organising Committee, World Union of Freethinkers International Congress, 4, 5, and 6 Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C.4. 12 CORRESPONDENCE SUGGESTED NEW CIRCLE To the Editor of "THE MONTHLY RECORD... DEAR Sni.—May an old member of the rank and file of the Society, who of late years has more or less passed on with the times, give expression toone or two thoughts that occur on reading in the August RECORD your account of the Annual Meeting? Mr. Hart spoke of young people turning from politics and social ideas to true religion. We have made a number of contacts within the last few years amongst earnest young thinkers, and in our experience they seem to be concentrating— irrespective of religion—on finding ways and means of solving the problem of the increasingly impossible conditions of living for the great majority of human beings. Within the last three years a " Left Book Club" has come into exisience, the membership of which is now over 50,000 and is still increasing: and local Groups, meeting once or twice a month, have been formed and are in course of formation all over the country. This speaks for itself. This Club is dealing with concrete facts and problems of to-day, which will affect future generations. It has proved itself to be the strong meat of intellectual stimulus which the young people of to-day need. The question naturally arises: Does the Ethical Society offer young people such a stimulus? May I venture to put forward the suggestion that it would perhaps strengthen the hands and influence of the Society generally, if an altogether new Circle were formed, with -such a title as "The Topical Circle," each of whose members should be entitled in rotation (to avoid the danger of a "head " arising) to select an up-to-date book; find read, by way of opening the meeting, extracts with a view to starting discussion (or if preferred give a brief summary of the whole work within a time limit of say 20 minutes). Such a Circle should, incidentally, fill the acute need at the present time for Young people to get together and exchange views, and help them in a common cause —their own. I cannot help thinking that this might well be added to the aims of the Ethical Society. Yours faithfully, EDITH CLAPPE. 17 Avenue Elmers, Surbibon, July 30, 1938.

BOOK REVIEWS TWO MODERN FREETHINKERS SCIENTISTS ARE HUMAN. By David Lindsay Watson. watts & co. 7s. fid. This book affords one more example of a movement of thought which has been rapidly growing during the present decade, and seems likely, sooner or later, to affect profoundly the traditional attitude of Rationalists to both science and religion. In the three centuries after Galilee, as a result of the refusal of the Church to allow the human psyche to become the subject of scientific study, men of science were exclusively confined to the observation and manipulation of material things. The outstanding lesson of the physics of the twentieth century, says Dr. Watson, is that " the truths of science are not entirely ' out-there,' outside of us," but that they are in part " the creations of a faltering human mind and spirit;" and hence that " the scientist must learn to look upon himself, and not merely upon an ' external' world." And, further, he must seek to understand " the social forces which produce him, encourage or oppose him, and transmit or ignore his work." Dr. Watson's suggestive and provocative analysis of these social forces is not, one may surmise, entirely uncoloured by prejudice resulting from his personal experience, which has been unfortunate; for he tells us in his introduction that the men who have controlled his scientific work, and whose standards he has had to satisfy professionally, have " almost without exception, had a dash of humbug in their composition." In his later and more valuable chapters Dr. Watson expounds a philosophy of science which is based upon an extension of the gestalt psychology—" a fusion of the setni-mysticism of the gestalt movement with the clear rationality of the main body of sCience. And vice versa." This involves a denial of the universal applicability of the quantitative method, and has obvious affinities with " emergent " theories of evolution and with the holism of Smuts. It provides, therefore, an escape from mechanism, and from the paradoxical definition of a Freethinker as one who believes that his thoughts, like all other events in the universe, are mechanically determined. i

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iii I 14 are not likely to be acceptable to the majority of Freethinkers, but Mr. Beresford claims that " the fact that these such very different minds appear to be arriving independently at very similar conclusions has a significance that should not be over- looked." The series entitled " I Believe," of which this is the first volume, consists of personal statements by writers of various opinions who are all united in the belief that " materialism is not enough." The second volume, "Problems of Religion," has been contributed by Mr. Gerald Bullett, who is a Member of the Committee of Honour of the Congress of Freethinkers. E. P. H. A REMARKABLE FRENCH NOVELIST THE SURVIVORS. René Béhaine. Translated by Edward Crankshaw. Allen and Unwin, xx + 358 pp. 7s. 6d. M. Helaine is something of a literary problem. A master of his craft, he has devoted many arduous years to a vast enterprise which he entitles "History of a Society "—a series of inter-related novels depicting modern France. Ten, at least, of these have appeared, and have won high praise from discerning readers . M. Leon Daudet has written that he " deserves to be accepted among the world's elect;" and Mr. Ford Madox Ford terms him simply " the most remarkable living novelist." Yet his following is relatively small, and official recognition of any sort is consistently denied him. Mr. Ford, in a glowing preface to the present English version of "Les Survivants," attributes this neglect to the fact that M. Behaine is a royalist, an, atheist and a pacifist—three attributes, rarely found in combination, which alienate 'from him the majority of his compatriots. "The Survivors." the second member of the series and the first to appear in English, has been admirably translated by Mr. Crankshaw. It depicts with a masterly economy of means and netteté of effect the waning fortunes throughout two generations of an ancient family, the Comtes de Laignes de la Trenoyes; and is focussed ultimately upon the childhood and youth of Catherine de Laignes, elder daughter of the fallen house. This (the longest) section of the book is concerned almost wholly with Catherine's eleven years of education at a convent. The round of duties and devotions, the Saint's days, the sisters and visiting clergY, the trivial charitable works with which they are occupied, the insistent ritual throughout every waking hour— all these are recorded objectively, almost without comment. Only by degrees do we realise that beneath the impartiality of the historian is an ironic and controlled contempt for the ignorance, the vapid little interests, the mechanised religion of convent life. With the incidence in Catherine's life of her destined husband, Michael Baram- baud, member of an upstart bourgeois family, the story breaks off abruptly. It leaves at least one reader admiring and depressed; for among the many skilful vignettes in its pages there are few with personality, charm or force of character— and among these few the heroine has no place. ERNEST CARR. CONWAY CHILDREN'S CIRCLE-GIRLS' CLUB HOLIDAYS This year the Committee of the Conway Children's Circle has been able to send away twenty-six girls for a week's holiday at Micklepage Farm, Nuthurst, near Horsham. On Saturday, August 13, the first party of thirteen little girls assembled in the courtyard of the Peel Institute, accompanied in most cases by their mothers and other members of their families. On arriving at London Bridge they were given glasses of milk at the A.B.C. shop, and a picnic lunch was then held on the platform of departure, the helpers and some of the girls occupying a station truck, and the remaining girls sitting on their bundles. So far was this irregular proceeding from being discountenanced by the authorities that an official, who was looking on, remarked that it was " lovely," and enquired who the children were—a question to which an impressive reply was afforded by the train which at that moment drew into the station, with two reserved carriages placarded " Conway Children's Circle." After hilarious farewells the children and the two helpers in charge of them departed. Letters received subsequently assured us that all were having a happy time. E. P. H. THE SOCIETY'S ACTIVITIES Matter for insertion in the October issue of the RECORDshould reach the Editor early in the month, and in any case not later than SATURDAY,September 17. ANNUAL REUNION SOIREE.—The Soirée will be held on Sunday, September 26, From 6.30 to 9.30 p.m. The General Committee of South Place Ethical Society 15

cordially invites the members of all Ethical Societies, the Ethical Church, the Rationalist Press Association and other friends to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. Professor T. H. Pear, MA., B.Sc., will, be the Guest of the evening and he will be welcomed on behalf of the Assembly by Professor F. Aveling, D.Sc. There will be songs by Mr. Sinclair Logan and Piano Solos by Mr. William Busch. " AT HOMES."—The Sunday afternoon monthly " At Homes " in the library will be resumed on October 16, at 4 p.m. An entertainment will be provided by members of the Poetry Circle. The Sunday " At Homes " provide an excellent opportunity for new members to meet fellow members and officers of the Society. Tea is provided at a nominal charge of 6d. The Club Room is available on Sundays for those who wish to bring their lunch. CONWAY CHILDREN'S CIRCLE meets at the Peel Institute, 65 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, E.C.L the Girls' Club on Tuesdays and the Boys' Club on Fridays, from 6 p.m. to about 7.30 p.m. Visitors are welcome. A Jumble Sale in aid of the funds of the Circle will be held at the Peel Institute on Tuesday, October 11 at 2 p.m. Goods for the sale may be sent either to Conway Hall or to the Peel Institute, addressed to Mrs. E. P. Hart. All kinds of clothing, household utensils, etc., will be welcomed. There is, in particular, a great and unsatisfied demand for men's clothing. The Hon. Treasurer gratefully acknowledges the receipt of donations from Mrs. Clements, Mr. C. E. Fairhall, Miss E M Haffenden, Miss B. V. Levy, Miss E. Linfield, Mrs. Metcalf, Mr. G. W. Potts, the Misses Rayment, Miss E. E. Sum- mers, and Major G. A. C. Taylor. All communications to the Hon. Secretary, Mrs. E. P. Hart, 18 St. Albans Road, N.W. 5. CONWAY DISCUSSION CIRCLE (organised jointly by the R.P.A and S.P.E.S.) will meet in the large hall at 7 p.m. on alternate Tuesdays commencing September 27. September 27.—Prof. John Hilton, "Man for Man." Prof. Hilton will deal with the subject of industrial relations, stressing the importance of the personal factors and discussing questions of wages, hours, and working conditions generally. October 11.—R. B. Kerr, " The Population Question." October 25.—Prof. J. B. S. Haldane, " Is Darwinism Dead ?" Secretary: Mr. E. Thurtle, M.P., 4 & 6 Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, E.C.4. COUNTRY DANCE GROUP.—Enrolment of members only will take place in the Library on Monday, September 19, at '7 p.m. to be followed by a general practice. The first class begins on Monday, September 26, at 7 p.m. The fee up to Christmas is 10s. or alternatively an entrance fee of 2s. 6d. and is. per lesson attended. All payments to be made to the Hon. Treasurer. Mrs. Lindsay. Further particulars can be had front the Hon. Secretaries, Miss H. Shott, 31 Horsham Avenue, N. 12, and Miss P. Snelling, 8 Amberley Road, E.10. DANCES.—Saturday, October 1, in the large hall—the first dance of the season— novelty dances, spot dances and prizes. The New Harlequin Band will be in attendance from 7.30 p.m. Admission 3s. including refreshments. A new feature this season will be the provision of a smoking and "sitting-out" MOM. • Hon. Secretary: Mr. C. E. Barralet, 34 Clarendon Way, Chislehurst, Kent. LIBRARY.—Open Sunday mornings before and after the Service, and on Mondays during the CA/MAU Dance Class. Free to members and associates. Non-members may borrow books on payment of 5s. per annum. A slip must be filled in for each book borrowed. When books are returned they must be handed to the Librarians, and not be replaced on the shelves. Librarian: Mr. E. Snelling, 8 Amberley Road, E. 10. LITERARY AND STUDY CIRCLE.—Opening meeting of session on Thursday. October 6, at 7.15 p.m. Mr. E. P. Hart will read a paper entitled " A Poet and Two Painters—a new light on D. H. Lawrence." All members and friends welcome. Hon. Secretary: Miss F. Wilkins, 7 Evelyn Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens, W.14. PLAY READING CIRCLE.—The Circle will meet in the Library on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7 p.m. Season October-April. Membership open to members and associates of the Society. Subscription for season 2s. 6d. Plays are chosen for literary quality as well as dramatic interest. The first meeting will be on Thursday, October 13, when there will be a

16 reading of "Jane Eyre," by Helen Jerome : dramatised from Charlotte Bronte's novel. There is a big cast for men and women. Intending members are asked to notify the Hon. Secretary in order that she may allot them parts. Hon. Secretary : Mrs. Wood, 6 Taylor's Lane, Willesden, N.W.10. RAMBLES.—Sunday, September 4—The Chalfonts, Wilton Park. Hedgerley and Gerrard's Cross. Train 11.5 a.m. Marylebone to Chorley Wood. C.D.R. 2s. 6d. Leader: Mr. A. O. Orrett. Sunday, September 11—No Ramble. International Congress of World Union of Freethinkers. (See page 11.) Sunday September 18—Croxley Green to King's Langley. Tea at Sarratt Church End. Train 1.25 p.m. Easton to Croxley Green (Change at Watford High Street). C.D.R. 2s. 2d. Leader; Miss Cook. Saturday, September 24—Hampstead Heath. Meet at Hampstead Tube Station at 2.45 p.m. Leader: Mr. a P. Hart. Mr. and Mrs. Hart will be glad if those coming to the ramble, will have tea with them at 18 St. Albans Road, NM. 5. Will those who accept this invitation kindly send a postcard to Mrs. Hart before September 21. Sunday, October 2—Autumn leaves in Epping Forest, Train 1.30 p.m. Liver- pool Street to Loughton. C.D.R. ls. 5d. Leader: Mr. F. James. Acting Hon. Secretary, Mrs. M. Orrett, 4 Cairn Avenue, W.5. SOUTH PLACE SUNDAY CONCERT SOCIETY THE,FIFTY-THIRD SEASON of the South Place Sunday Concerts will begin on Sunday, Oetober 2, 1938, with the 1,310th Concert. The Griller String Quartet : Sidney Griller, Jack O'Brien, Phillip Burton, Colin Hampton. Pianoforte : Vivian Langrish. Vocalist : Nan Maryska. At the Piano : Ella Ivimey. Dvorak Quartet in E flat, Op. 51; Elgar Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 84. Further particulars, with Report of 52nd Season, will be issued in September. Members Tickets 3s. each, admitting to Reserved Seats every Sunday for First Half Season, from October 2 to December 18, will be ready in September, and may be obtained from the Hon. Treasurer of the Concerts, Andrew E. Watson, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, W.C.1, by sending Remittance and Stamped Addressed Envelope. Hon. Treasurer: ANDREW E. WATSON, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, W.C.1. Hon. Secretary: Mils. D. M. CLEMENTS, 8, Finchley Way, N.3. Hon. Assistant Secretary: GEORGE HuToinNsoN, Conway Hall, Red Lion Sq., W.C.1.

New Member MR. H. CLOUGH, 120 Moorgate, E.C.2. Changes of Address MR. E. CARR, 14 Beaumont Road, Purley, Surrey. MR. 82Mits. HAMILTON, 1.0 Sutherland Grove, Southfields, S.W.18. Miss M. HOLT, W4 Ward, Ladywell Institute, Lewisham, S.E.13. MISS ELLA IVIMEY, 28 Harben Road, N.W.6. Miss S. KEENE, 21 Queensdown Road, Clanton, E.& Miss C. TRESIDDER, 13 Chipstead Street, New Kings Road, S.W.6. MR. W. M. TRE51DDER, 13 Chipstead Street, New Kings Road, S.W.6. Miss P. VOYSEY, 56 Postley Road, Maidstone, Kent. Death MRS. PILGRIM.

DIARY FOR SEPTEMBER 4 Ramble (see page 16) 18 Ramble (see page 16) 7 General Committee, 6.30 P.m. 19 Country Dancing .. 9 7 p.m. 10 24 Ramble (see page 16) 11 MeetingsofInternational 25 Sunday Meeting.. 11 am. Congress (see page 11) 12 25 Annual Reunion Soirée 6.30 p.m. 13 26 Country Dancing .. „ p.m, 18 Sunday Meeting..11 am. 27 Discussion.. . 7 p.m. Printed and published by THE FARLEIGH Puss (TD.), 17-29, Cayton Street, E.C.1.