17 JUNE 1893, Page 25

In the Vine-Country. By E. (E. Somerville and Martin Ross.

(W. H. Allen and Co.)—The authoresses of " Through Connemara in a Governess-Cart" cross the Channel in the volume before us, and describe their impressions of Mddoc and the vintage. This is done with considerable liveliness and satisfaction to themselves. The style and humour of the book, however, remind us too much of their Irish experience. It lacks the charm of novelty, for we begin to know when to expect a joke,—always an oppressive feeling. In the Vine-Country is cheerful, very fair reading, and, as far as it goes, gives some graphic touches of the vintage- time. Though it would need a more subtle study to bring out 'the picturesque in the M6doc district, it is well illustrated,—mostly figures ; the landscape is not adapted to expression,