Old England : her Story Mirrored in her Scenes. Text
by W. Shaw Sparrow. Pictures by James Orrock. (Evoleigh Nash. 24s. net.)—" Most landscape painters," writes Mr. Sparrow in his preface, "can select good subjects from a popular point of view. Mr. Orrock does more than that. His pictures have fine themes, they connect the present with the past, they show many things which have influenced the well-being of England in her passage through centuries of unrest and warfare." This volume, there- fore, is meant to be something more than a collection of picturesque buildings, landscapes, &c., which are described by pea and set forth by pencil. It is an illustrated history in the broadest sense of the word; not a chronicle of events, but a presentation of the great influences which have made the country what it is. This description applies without doubt to the first two chapters,—" The Sea Coast and the Sea " and " The Influence of Bridges and Roads." The subjects which follow are more or less cognate. Among these we find " Forests," "The Romance of the •Grene Wode,'" "The Lord of the Manor," and " The Reign of the Sheepfolds and the Shepherds." The "Roads and Bridges" chapter is, perhaps, the most typical of all. These things are among the most important signs of human progress, and the bridge may be said to precede the road in significance as it succeeds it in time. It is not without reason that the chief minister of religion in Rome was a pontifex —bridge-maker—and that pious gifts for this purpose are to be found in comparatively recent times. The Romans began the work here, though they did not build—indeed, had no occasion to build—such splendid specimens as are to be seen in the more thoroughly settled provinces of Spain and Gaul. As Mr. Sparrow truly puts it, the province "did not pay its way," and had to be content with less costly works. That bridges were built is beyond doubt, and there are relics of them still to be found. The subject is treated in a very instructive way by our author; so is that of roads,—he thinks that we exaggerate the defects of the mediaeval road. He has much to tell us that is of value on other topics. Altogether, he has given us, with the very able help of Mr. Orrock's pencil, a most delightful volume.
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