3 OCTOBER 1891, Page 22

The Boating-Man's " Vade-Mecum." By William Winn. (Swan Sonnenschein and

Co.)—Mr. Winn begins by classifying boats (a " boat " proper means a craft that can be drawn up on the beach, but the term is extended to almost everything that floats). He giveg. instructions for choosing what may be suitable to the "boating- man's need," and gives some facts about cost, &c. A Thames skiff should cost £12 to £14 (in fir, £9 10s.) ; a working punt, £12; a second-hand eight-ton yacht may be got for £80; a new yacht, say twenty tons, £450. The cost of maintenance is given in detail, not without sundry cautions that boating is an expensive amuse- ment. (We do not see an estimate for the expenditure required by a moderate-sized yacht.) The second section gives hints for construction, and particulars as to fittings of various kinds ; sails, ropes, chains, &a., follow. A chapter is devoted to the rules of various clubs, regattas, and the like; and another to signals, &c. On the whole, this is a volume likely to be practically useful in a high degree.