31 DECEMBER 1887, Page 23

Yachts, Boats, and Canoes. By C. Stansfleld-Hicks. (S. Low and

Co.)—This is a book intended to show the amateur yachtsman how to build, rig, and sail his own craft ; and so far as all or any of those accomplishments are capable of being conveyed by preoept, it is likely to be of use to persons interested in these subjects. It contains a great mass of theoretical and practical information, not always very skilfully or lucidly digested, and is supplied with valuable diagrams and working drawings of various small craft suitable for amateurs. Special attention is devoted to model-yachting, for the practice of which many clubs have in recent years been formed both in England and America. Model-yachts, it may be explained, differ from toy- boats in being constructed in all their parts on scientific principles, and are raced under a formulated code of rules. " As a scientific and interesting pastime suited to men of all ages, combining the pleasure of designing and building with the exhilarating and healthy excite. ment of match-eailing, carried on, too, at a minimum of expense, Model-Yachting," the anther assures us, " stands pre-eminent;" and he farther suggests that the uniform superiority of the Americans in the matter of speed may be dye in part to the greater attention paid by American builders to the lesson learnt from the behaviour of models built on the proposed lines of the larger vessels.