1 JANUARY 1881, Page 31

A Lady's Tour in Corsica. By Gertrude Fordo. 2 vols.

(Bentley.) —Miss Fordo and her companions " did " Corsica very thoroughly, saw everything that was to be seen, and put themselves in a position to judge of the comfort or discomfort,—not, indeed, of every inn in the island, but of all that any one is likely to think of visiting. Regarded us a more itinerary or guide, the book would have its value. It is more. It is a pleasant story of travel, prolonged, perhaps, beyond what was needful, but seldom failing to entertain. Miss Fordo made a closer acquaintance with the Corsican people than travellers commonly care or, indeed, are able to make ; and this closer acquaiutunce ended, we are glad to find, in more liking. In fact, she found them a pleasant people, all, that is to say, but the children. The boys, who seem to have practised on the travellers' fears, appear to be peculiarly troublesome members of a troublesome class ; but after thirteen, they are all that is polishodemd delightful. The silk- worms were found to be troublesome, as they frequently occupied the best bedrooms, while their health required the exclusion of fresh air from any apartment where they might happen to be. Corte, we gather from the account of that place, is generally to be avoided;. but of all detestable places, Sardinia seems to be the worst. It shows how thoroughly Miss Fords has contrived to put herself into sympathy with the people, ;that she has learnt to speak with the utmost dislike and contempt of their neighbours.