1 SEPTEMBER 1928, Page 16

Mr. E. V. Lucas has composed a most intelligent little

guide-book to Paris in Introducing Paris (Methuen, 2s. 6d.).

He shows himself a strong but discerning Francophile, and there are few visitors who will not appreciate what Mr. Lucas says as to the slight but important differences in the rhythm of English and French life. We wish Mr. Lucas had had space to attempt some explanation of how these different customs have arisen, but it would, no doubt, be a most difficult task.

Instead, he gives us a competent chapter on the history of Paris, and another on Notre Dame and the Cite, and a third

on Great Streets. He almost frightens us out of ever going

near the Louvre again, so graphic is his description of its size. It is, he says :—

" the largest palace in the world, covering an area of nearly fifty acres and involving on the part of the sightseer heroic feats of pedestrianism. This is why the great majority of visitors to the Louvre content themselves with the pictures."

We must commend his very useful chapter on the surround-

ing country. * * * *