WALKING IN CORNWALL .
- By J. R. A. Hockin- • -
Mr. Hockin is the author of a previous book; On Foot in Berkshire, in Maclehose's deservedly well-known series. ..,He gives his reason, which will be recognised at -onbe by any Cornishman, for not calling this book On Foot in -Cornwall (Maclehose, 7s. 6d.). Cornwall has set him a much more difficult, a more devious and, one may be pardoned for thinking, a more exciting task. For there is the mag- nificent coast-line, which he has taken as the obvious basis for his book, following as far as possible what remains of
coastguard paths, helped out by by-lanes and Oceasional 'bus along the main road. But in the nature of things' the coast, and particularly the Cornish coast,-idVolveS if thousand obstructions, and precipitous descents, excuses for -dawdling by the way, bathing in innumerable -pretty ebtres (on the- north coast . with suitable care I), calling at pubs, • or making- a dive inland to see a good church. •The• -north- and the south coasts of Cornwall have their .respective _partisans :• they are very different in character ; Mr. Hockin holds the balances so evenly, one would be hard put to it to say, which he favours. He certainly has the right t''reef " the. country, as a Cornishman should ; mitre ieniarkdbly, he has the gift of expressing it. His guide-book, or route-book as- he calls it, is very complete, extremely patient and ierisitiveL--- all that the best guide-book should be. It is a further and unexpected gift that he has read (and the more delightful of the older authorities, Carew and Hals and Tonkin, as well as the latest, Mr. Hencken •the archaeologist,' and Mr. Henderson the young Cornish histOrian,-Whose death was such a loss to Cornwall. This inearii that the "book is copious in its information, no less than .charmingly written: and full or wisdom for the walker. - • - •
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