13 MAY 1966, Page 21

John Bell was a Scotsman in the service of Peter

the Great. His Journey from St. Petersburg to Pekin 1719-22 (Edinburgh University Press, 45s.) describes an official Russian mission to the Chinese capital which he accompanied as doctor. Advised to write like Swift, Bell went ahead and did so, producing a minor classic of travel literature. His Russians and Chinese sound delightfully like Laputans and his civilised prose makes refreshing reading, though he is, if any- thing, a bit too reticent for his exotic theme. One would have liked to be told more, as is implied by Bell's scrupulous editor, Mr Ian Stevenson. The volume is well illustrated with old prints and modern photographs and is (like Mr Fermor's and Mr Murray's reviewed above) a work of permanent value.

RONALD HINGLEY