15 AUGUST 1908, Page 27

Wanderings in Ireland. By Michael Myers Shoemaker. (G. P. Putnam's

Sons. 10e. 6d. net.)—There is plenty of information in this volume, information historical, geographical, and personal, but not so much entertainment as might have been expected. But perhaps one ought not to expect anything of the kind. The Ireland of Charles Lever is no more. There is more than a suspicion of politics in all that we read about the country, and this does not make for mirth, or the mirth is bitter. Here is one of Mr. Shoemaker's experiences in Galway :—" An Irishman in the city stated that times were very bad, they had 'had very good crops, and hence could not raise the cry of famine and so bring in the cash from England and America. When they can do that every one is well off and happy." However, our author does not trouble himself much about such matters. He goes from place to place, makes himself as content and comfortable as circumstances permit in the hotels, duly relates any circum- stances of interest that concern the various localities—in short, does his duty thoroughly as a tourists' conductor. The volume is well illustrated.