the
sketches. The book does not come up to _Die Bilder aus dem Ghetto_.

Asch is essentially a dramatist. In his sketches, in his novels and in
his stories, the dramatic point of view is not lost. His plays
consequently always move, are always full of action and tense
situation. The same elemental strength and purity of emotion that is
found in his prose is always present in his dramas. In the concluding
part of this essay, I shall touch upon five of his plays in the order
of their importance.

EDITORS' NOTE--_The third and concluding part of Mr.
Shostac's prize essay, dealing with Shalom Asch as a
Dramatist, will appear in the next issue._

_THOSE of us in England who know how much harshness
and injustice the Jews have had to suffer will join in
your hopes that after the war some means may be found
of permanently ameliorating their lot. You may feel
the more sure of our sympathy in this because, as you
know, England is the European country in which, since
Oliver Cromwell sanctioned their return nearly three
centuries ago, the Jews have been best treated, being
freely admitted to all posts of power and honor, and
not exposed to any sort of social disparagement. They
have held places in our Cabinets and been among the
most eminent lawyers and judges. Such a one was Sir
George Jessel, the famous Master of the Rolls. We have
no more patriotic citizens, nor more generous
benefactors to works of charity and to public purposes
supported by private liberality. With those members of
the race who have suffered injustice or violence in
other countries, there has always been a warm sympathy
in Great Britain._--_Viscount Bryce, in a Letter to The
Menorah Journal._

=Liberalism and the Jews=

BY JOSEPH JACOBS

[Illustration: _JOSEPH JACOBS (born in New South Wales in 1854), one
of our leading scholars and men of letters; managing editor of the
Jewish Encyclopedia; author of many authoritative books on Jewish
subjects, including "Jews of Angevin England," "Studies in Jewish
Statistics," "Jewish Ideals," etc. The present article is adapted from
a chapter in Dr. Jacobs' forthcoming book which will deal
comprehensively with the contribution of the Jew to modern progress._]

THE eighteenth century was the era of the "benevolent despots,