26 DECEMBER 1914, Page 26

When we used to ask in childhood, "How many miles

to Babylon ? " we never guessed that one day we should be brought so near to that marvellous old city as Dr. Robert Koldewey's book on The Excavations at Babylon (Macmillan and Co., 21s. net) brings us. This well-illustrated and interesting volume describes the discoveries made by German excavators working under the Kaiser's patronage—now, it is to be feared, in abeyance. The translation has been ably executed by Miss Agnes S. Johns.