4 SEPTEMBER 1953, Page 29

Exeter. By Bryan Little. (Batsford. 15s.)

BATSFORD'S have a corps of geniuses to design their book covers for them, and the picture of Exeter Cathedral which adorns this book is even more than usually attrac- tive. In addition they have done their author proud in the matter of photographs. There are many of them, and all are good ; but the best are those which illustrate that part of the book which deals with Devon towns other than Exeter. The standard of Mr. Little's text follows the standard of the photographs. A full third of the book is given to Ottery St. Mary, Crediton, Cullompton, and elsewhere ; and this part is much the more interesting. On Exeter itself Mr. Little is thoroughly compe- tent, but also a little conventional. R. L.