29 SEPTEMBER 1928, Page 26

The Ecstasies of De Quincey (Harrap, Is. 6d.) is a

selection

of the purpler passages of De Quincey's writings, with an admirable introduction by Mr. Thomas Burke. Here is De Quincey on a very modern topic, " The Glory of Motion," with especial regard to the quick distribution of news : "The mail coach it was that distributed over the face of the land, like the opening of apocalyptic vials, the heart-shaking news of Trafalgar, of Salamanca, of Vittoria, of Waterloo." What gorgeous stuff ! Mr. Burke aptly alludes to the processional peal and rhythm of sentences such as these. * * * *