30 JANUARY 1897, Page 11

Prom Saturn to Baghdad via Tiflis, Tabriz, and Persian Kurdistan.

By Walter B. Harris, F.R.G.S. (W. Black wood and Sons.)—This is a lively sketch of the observations of a rather rapid journey through Transcaucasia and the districts to the south. The route taken lay chiefly along the western frontier of Persia, where the author fell in with the Kurds, with whom he was very favourably impressed. He also speaks well of the civilising influence of Russian rule, but has nothing but contempt for the Turkis of North Persia, and looks forward to the time when Russia will ex- tend her dominion over the territories now misgoverned by Persia; for he speaks of the Government (or rather want of government) of Persia and Turkey as the worst in the world. The author has had considerable experience in Morocco and other Mahommedan countries; and it is worthy of note that he speaks of the iiiheiya

Mohammedans whom he met with in Persia as far more fanatical than the Sunnis. The illustrations are excellent, representing natives, landscapes, and architecture, and form perhaps the most attractive feature of the book.