29 SEPTEMBER 1928, Page 25

QUIET CITIES. By Joseph Hergesheimer. (Knopf. 7s. 6d.)—In a series

of short stories Mr. Hergesheimer has allowed his imagination to invest with life the America of an earlier and more peaceful day than our own. He takes nine cities, including Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, and New Orleans ; and, devoting a separate tale to each city, he so contrives incident and character as to capture the peculiar bygone atmosphere of the place in question. Here is an excellent scheme, having the interest of history as well as fiction. Mr. Hergesheimer reveals himself, once again, as a writer of insight and charm, as well as of exceptional power.