Dr. Baldwin Brown divides his history of Saxon architecture into three periods. There is the early period covering the seventh and eighth centuries, an intermediate period corresponding with the earlier and more destructive Viking invasions and covering the ninth and the early part of the tenth century, and a third period beginning with the epoch of monastic revival in the last half of the tenth century and extending to the Norman Conquest or a little beyond it. There is much difficulty in the chronological arrangement of the buildings in the last; but few will be found to contest the author's conclusions. He seems to have examined carefully most of the examples in the Kingdom (though not all churches having Saxon work are mentioned), and gives useful hints for determining their Saxon character, the tower, plinths, quoins, "long and short" work, pilaster strips, and doors and window openings. Although he lays stress on details, he pays little attention to tympana, some of which certainly belong to his period, especially those which have inscriptions in runes; but these, he may consider, belong to sculpture rather than to architecture. His reference to Mr. Leed's very recent discovery of an Anglo-Saxon village at Sutton Courtenay, shows that Dr. Brown has certainly brought his work up-to-date, though he is not aware that the Berkshire topographical volumes of the Victoria History of the Counties of England, under the co-editorship of the present writer, have been completed, though the index has still to be compiled. The early sources of Saxon architecture are duly set forth, first, timber, and then a stone tradition is derived from Celtic and Roman sources, and there is a delightful blending of historical and architectural information which is most informative. There are groups of churches which tell their own story, the Kentish Group, the Northumbrian Group. The inroads of the Vikings wrought destruction in many a fine church, but in the end Scandinavian art contributed its influence which was confined rather to decoration than to construction. All through the volume illustrations appear, which add greatly to the value of the work. Dr. Baldwin Brown is to be congratulated upon the completion of a great undertaking, and his work will prove a source of abundant information on a difficult and absorbing subject.

THE MOUNTAINS OF SNOWDONIA, IN HISTORY, THE SCIENCES, LITERATURE AND SPORT. Edited by HERBERT R. C. CARR, M.A., F.R.G.S. and GEORGE A. LISTER B.Sc., with 58 illustrations and diagrams. (John Lane, the Bodley Head, 1925). 258. net.

AT first sight the casual reader may have imagined that this book might be only a popular topographical work for visitors to the charming region of Wales; but on the contrary, is a learned erudite work edited by a distinguished member of the Alpine Club whose mountaineering experiences render him well qualified for his task, and by a Bachelor of Science, who is learned in Welsh nomenclature, cartography and maps. It is a large book of some 400 pages, and the editors have enlisted the services of several experts who have given us of their best. Even they have not treated the subject exhaustively. There are still other roads to travel; other ascents to climb; but the ordinary reader will here find much to fascinate him and tempt him to further explorations.

Amongst the band of brothers who have contributed to the work we find the well-known Welsh historian, Professor J. E. Lloyd who tells of legends and history of the famous mountains; Dr. Greenly discourses on the difficult subject of the geology of the district. The bird life and flora are described by Professor Farmer, F.R.S., Professor Orton writes on meteorology. It is always difficult to translate good poetry from one language into another, and especially so when the original is in Welsh, but Mr. L. J. Roberts has made a skilful choice of spirited and ingenious English translations. Mountaineering naturally forms a prominent part in such a work as this, and North Wales has some famous and daring climbers, such as Dr. E. A. Baker, C. F. Holland, E. W. Steeple, Priestly Smith, and the late C. E. Mathews, and Mr. Carr himself, who delight us with a record of their experiences.

There are no mountains in the British Isles like Snowdonia. They have a great history and retain recollections of the sturdy tribes of early Welshmen who, for centuries, held their own against the might of England and struggled for their independence. The wild Welsh scenery influenced the spirit of the bards. The fastnesses of Eryri have offered a refuge and retreat to discomfited peoples and provided an ideal theatre for national resistance to invasions. In spite of many efforts no English King ever crossed the Conway between the time of Rufus and of John; and in the rear

snow.

of the Welshmen were the fruitful lands of Anglesey to supply them with all the food they needed. Snowdon and Snowdonia are not the same thing. The latter signifies the whole range of mountains in that north western part of Wales. Snowdon is an English name for that sharp, commanding peak of Ywyddfa, so called because the snow lingers there longer than on the lesser heights, or because some ignorant Saxon translated Eryri, which means the place of Eagles" and confused it with Eira, meaning The eagles have now fled, perhaps because they liked not tourists. Legends flourish on the Welsh soil and strange stories appear in Celtic folklore. There is one story of an ogre, named Rhita, who slew kings and clothed himself with a garment woven of their beards; but then King Arthur met him and slew him, and his grave remains until this day. Is it not called Carnedd y Cawr, which, of course, you are aware, signifies the Giant's Cairn. We should like to dwell on the geology of Snowdonia, of the glaciers that have left their marks on the rugged service; but that would require too large a space. The records of climbers and of the Climbers' Club are pleasant reading, and make one long again to ascend Snowdon, but not by those hard dangerous ways where you have to hang on by your eye-lashes climbing through precipitous rocks, nor yet by the Llanberis railway. You can court dangers quite as much on Snowdon's heights as in Switzerland, and some of the photographs of climbers are rather blood-curdling. We cordially recommend this book to all prospective travellers to northern Wales. It would add greatly to their enjoyment.

It is sad to have to relate that the Editor, Mr. Carr, met with a serious accident on the mountain he loved so well. The above review had scarcely been written when the sad news arrived that, in attempting an ascent on a difficult side of Snowdon, with a companion, he fell and was found after a long search by his friends unconscious. His companion, Mr. Van Noorden, an expert Cambridge climber, was discovered dead.-R.I.P.

IN LONDON'S BY-WAYS. Text by WALTER JERROLD, and Pictures by ERNEST HASLEHURST.

RAMBLES IN GREATER LONDON. (By same).

(Blackie & Son, Ltd. 1925.) Each 2s. 6d. net.

THESE are two volumes of Messrs. Blackie's series of "Beautiful Books," and they are worthy of their title. The coloured drawings