17 JANUARY 1903, Page 26

The Alpujarra. By R. M. Thomas. (Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.)—The

Alpujarra, everybody may not know, is a region of Andalusia, and probably is as unchanged, as regards manners and general aspect, as any part of Spain. It is a land of almonds and other fruits, and was a land of vines, now ravaged by the phylloxera. Mr. Thomas has given us a most readable account of a brief journey in this region. There are not a few curious facts to be told about it, historical and other. Here the Moors made a great stand; and here the speculator is busy,—where, indeed, is he not? If you want to make a " corner " in almonds, this is the spot.