5 JANUARY 1918, Page 26

WORKS OF REFERENCE.—Debretg'e Peerage for 1918, edited by A. G.

M. Hesilrige (Dean, 45s. net), has to record an unusual number of changes and additions, arising mainly out of the war, from the alteration in the name of the Royal House and the new restrictions on the use of " Highness " and " Prince," to the institution of two new Orders and the long roll of those holders of or heirs to hereditary titles who have fallen in the service of their country. The editor states that one member of the Royal Family, 21 Peers, 31 Baronets, 11 Knights, 11 Members of Parliament, 562 Companions, 149 sons of Peers, 135 sons of Baronets, and 208 sons of Knights have been killed or have died of wounds. The many changes of succession caused by these and other losses have been noted accurately, so far as we have tested this massive new Debrett, which does great credit to its editor and its publishers.—The Post Office London Directory with County Suburbs, 1918 (Kelly's Directories, 45s.) makes its appearance with a promptitude that is doubly astonishing in time of war. We are accustomed to take this stupendous index to London, running to over 3,300 pages, as a matter of course, but that is an involuntary compliment to the excellence of the organ- ization which year by year produces the great book that we all find indispensable every day of our lives. One new item alone,. the introduction of the number of the postal district in every address, must have involved an immense amount of labour, for the results of which every user of the book as well as the Postal Authorities will have reason to be grateful.