24 JULY 1897, Page 26

The Edge of the Orient. By R. H. Russell. (Regan

Paul and Co.)—Mr. Russell describes a brief visit to the most interesting series of cities that are set on the edge of the Adriatic eastward of Trieste, with Damascus, Cairo, Luxor, and Constantinople thrown in. Such towns as Zara, Sebeuico, Spalato, Curzola, Ragusa, Cattaro, Smyrna, and Salonica have a wonderful history ; each would be a mine to the archmologist. The book is very sketchy, simply a record of flying visits, but it is well illustrated by photographs, and serves to remind us of the existence of these ancient cities. The chapter on Montenegro is interesting. The Sultan is not "the head of this religion."