”The article in the Law Review has the merit of order and lucidity in a high degree, taking the reader from the simpler to the more elaborate forms of representation by stages which successively clear the way for a perfect understanding of the whole matter. As it also gives a chronological list of works relating to the subject, it has a double value, historically and for purposes of reference, and, indeed, furnishes a complete guide to the student who seriously wishes to inform himself. In general, treatises of this sort are to be regarded as rather solid reading, and we do not say that this one can be digested rapidly without previous preparation of any sort; but it is enlivened by a note on the “gerrymandering” of electoral districts, which, besides giving an account of the origin of this immortal Americanism, illustrates it with a reduced fac-simile of the gerrymander itself not often seen nowadays. In like manner an engraved illustration is given of still more remarkable gerrymandering by which the Second Empire was enabled to keep up a show of popular support and retain its majority in the Corps Legislatif. We presume it is betraying no confidence to say that tho author of the article is Prof. “William R. “Ware, of Boston, well known for his connection with the Harvard College experiment of the Hare system.”

Reference Data:

The Nation, Vol. 14, 1872, page 24