17 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 23

BEYOND SHANGHAI. By Harold Speakman. (T. Werner Laurie. 16s. net.)

Mr. Speakman has written most delightfully about his experiences travelling " Chinese fashion " in China. If he has been unable to resist including some of his own poetry and a few tryingly purple patches we can forgive him, because he has also included reproductions of some of the paintings he made while on his travels. Several of these are extra- ordinarily charming. He has treated his subject with sym- pathy and unforced gaiety, as well as with charm of manner, all of which are unusual qualities in travel books.