Memories of Our Great Towns, 1860-1877. By Dr. John Doran.
(Chatto and Windus.)—Dr. Doran was accustomed to contribute to the
Athenccum a series of papers about the towns at which the "British Association for the Advancement of Science" held its annual meetings, —" anecdotic gleanings," as they are described on the title-page, " con- cerning their worthies and their oddities." Doncaster, which was visited in 1860, heads the list, and accordingly we are entertained with a host of anecdotes about past days of racing. Cambridge gives occasion for gossip of a more learned or literary kind. Birmingham, Dundee, Nottingham, Norwich, Liverpool, and Brighton are among the other "great towns" which are illustrated by Dr. Doran's genius, —and a greater genius for writing of the anecdotic kind few men have had. As to giving any idea of the contents of the book, it is quite im- possible. Those who know how Dr. Doran used to write—it is sad to have to use the past tense of one of the most cheerful of men—will understand what we mean ; and those who do not, must take it on trust from us that this is a remarkably entertaining volume.
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