Glimpses of Old English Homes. By Elizabeth Balch. (Mac- millan
and Co.)—These descriptions, eight in number, have already, we think, been published in the English Illustrated Magazine. But it is certainly well to have them put together in a handsome volume such as the one now before us. The eight are: Penshuret, Arundel Castle, Hinehingbrooke (the seat of the Montague, Earls of Sandwich), Eridge Castle (seat of Lord Abergavenny), Chiswick House, Berkeley Castle, Highclere modern building, but long connected as a property with a branch of the Herberts), and Osterley Park, which now belongs to the Earl of Jersey. It came into his family by the somewhat eccentric will of Robert Child. His only daughter ran away with the Earl of Westmoreland. He did not absolutely disinherit her, but vowed that no son of a Westmoreland should enjoy Ostorley. Accordingly he left it to a daughter, who married the Earl of Jersey. It is difficult to say which is the most interesting of the descriptions where all are BO good and so admirably illustrated. Perhaps Arundel Castle is entitled to the first, and Penshurst, Hinchingbrooke, and Berkeley Castle must contend for the second. Reproductions of curious family and historical portraits are perhaps the most interesting of the illustrations; but the land- scapes and architectural views are excellent.
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