13 MARCH 1886, Page 28

A Drive through England. By James John Marley. (Bentley and

Son.)—Mr. Hissey started from London, drove up to Scotland, and drove back again. The experience seems to have been a pleasant one, as, indeed, it should be for a sensible person who knows how to- take his enjoyment reasonably, and does not object to rough it on- occasion (for there are parts of England where it really is not easy to get board and lodging). And, of course, it is only natural that Mr. Hissey should want to tell his story in print. But why in this form ? Why nearly four hundred pages of large octavo ? Surely a little volume, which might be conveniently carried in the pocket, would be- very much more to the purpose. The narrative is readable, a fair license of skipping being granted ; but it would be really useful as a guide if we thought of following Mr. Hissey's judicious example.. His itinerary now and then might, we think, be improved upon. The drive from Slough to Oxford, for instance, seems unnecessarily long for a traveller who claims not to have been in a hurry. To leave Great Marlow as the sun was setting (in Jane, it must be remem- bered), and to have to drive to Oxford, seems making a toil of a

pleasure.