Country Life
HISTORIC THAMES.
That useful and charming form of literature, invented by the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, con- sisting of a sort of historico-aesthetic survey of a selected piece of country, continues to expand ; and the latest volume is to the credit of those who can carry the plan or survey into action. The Middlesex and Surrey County Councils have joined hands to produce a sketch of The Thames from Putney to Staines (St. Dominic's Press, Hassocks, Sussex, 5s.). The book gives a delightful picture, enhanced by many good photographs, of these historic reaches of the Thames ; but the purpose and intention of the book are what matters. It is a preface to compulsory preservation. On this survey and others like it will be founded the regional plans that alone can put an end to hugger-mugger " development," with apologies for the word. In the sum of things they will direct economic hardly less than aesthetic progress. The Thames plays many parts : it is a commercial waterway, a playground, a water provider, a drain and a reason for dwelling-houses. All its uses have to be assured, and only a reasoned and wide plan can prevent one use spoiling another.
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