5 OCTOBER 1918, Page 20

Cities and Sea-Coasts and Islands. By Arthur Symons. (Collins. 7s.

6d. net.)—Mr. Symons has collected a number of prose "im- pressions." The most serious of them relate to Spain—to its painters like the mysterious Theotocopuli (El Greco) or Murillo and Zurbaran, to poets like Santa Teresa or Nuilez de Arce or Carnpoamor, to the Cathedrals and also the cafés of the Southern cities. Mr. Symons's account of a Spanish music-hall is unforgettable. His sketches of London street-life do not please us. They lack humour and sym- pathy. The author is evidently in his happiest mood when he writes about Cornwall and its secluded and romantic coasts.