Twenty Five Years: The Story of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynæcologists, 1929—1954, (Churchill)

in the United Kingdom of those days. There was a time when Sir Robert Peel, the Prime Minister was told by a President of one of the then Royal Colleges: "No man who has an academic education ought to practise obstetrics." The same gentleman stated amidst applause in a subsequent meeting: "Obstetrics is no calling for a gentleman". The story in the book tells us how in 1946 in the same kingdom a Royal Charter was granted to obstetricians. There is another feature worth nothing in this book. The author in his appreciation of the abilities of the famous colleagues of his in the speciality have not been blind to their shortcomings in so far as they hindered the progress of the work of the establishment of the College. He has worded this criticism in plain words which even readers holding contrary views will be glad to read and appreciate. We all know what Sir William Fletcher Shaw has done to the college, but he writes all about himself. He need not have done so as even a person who has no idea of Sir William's work will glean many things in the pages of the book which will fully acquaint him with the achievements of the author. Sir William has been sorry that he could not preside over any annual dinner because of the War. One would say that as he is shy and unassuming Providence has helped him.