In 1908, Chesterton published this collection of essays that were previously written in his column for the Illustrated London News. The essays are about various topics; there are quite some very interesting thoughts in them.
The final essay, about rituals, gives Chesterton's attack on celebrating Christmas in a wrong way: by too early (this is particularly relevant in our time), or with the attempt 'to keep up old forms, but to keep them up informally and feebly'. Either really celebrate, or do not bother, but do not do things half.
Finishing the volume, I was particularly impressed by Chesterton's analysis of the historical method used when trying to understand certain historical figures (eg Joan of Arc and Jesus Christ). He summarizes as follows: 'you explain supernatural stories that have some foundation simply by inventing natural stories that have no foundation'. Chesterton opposes this kind of philosophy: 'Nothing ought to be to big for a brave man to attack; but there are some things too big for a man to patronise.'
All things considered, this is a very readable volume, and it serves as a good introduction to several strands of Chesterton's thought.
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