13 DECEMBER 1930, Page 32

Sir Ian Malcolm's Trodden Ways (Macmillan, 12s. fal.) begins with

some Parliamentary reminiscences, but is mostly composed of short sketches and impressions of travel in Russia, Spain, Iceland, Egypt, Burma and other countries. The best of all these engaging chapters relates to France. The descriptions of a stay at a French country house and of the gathering of the vintage in M6cloc are excellent ; these are aspects of French life that few English readers know. The author's account of a crisis in the Chamber is vivid and informing ; nothing could be less like a critical sitting at St. Stephen's. Sir Ian saw the late Tsar crowned and was received at Tsarksoe Selo in 1910. His Russian Chapters thus have a pathetic interest. The book is charmingly written, and reveals the author's attractive personality.