New Reference Books for Travellers
Baedeker's "Austria" (Allen and Unwin, 15s.) is the twelfth edition of Baedeker's "Austria-Hungary " which first appeared as a separate volume in 1896. It deals with the Republic of Austria, Budapest, Prague, and the Spas of North Bohemia. The description of Vienna, with its famous collections, many of them new or completely rearranged, has been considerably enlarged. Special attention is given to Austrian art, particularly of the baroque period. The book contains eighty-six maps and plans.
Turning now to the British Isles, we have first The British Isles, A Complete Guide (Burrows, 85. 6d.), which conforms very much to the conventional type, giving the main towns, with a short description, list of hotels, &c., and has sections. "For Lovers of Old Churches," "Notable Districts," and others, including, we are glad to notice, a section on the industries according to their geographical distribution, a subject unduly neglected by many guides.
Messrs. Burrows have also issued, at is., a Guide to the River. Thames, which will be welcome to many Londoners, and to all who do not yet know all the charms of our greatest river. It is well illustrated with photographs and small line sketches, and there are, of course, all the requisite maps.
The new Official Guide for Chichester is also well illustrated, and provides just what is needed by the casual sightseer to this charming old city, including in a very small compass everything from subsoil to bus services. The photographs are particularly good. Last but not least, there is a new " Bell's Pocket Guide," in this case for Devon. The county has been adequately dealt with by Mr. S. E. Winbolt, who has a discursive style refreshing in a guide book, while at the same time he omits nothing of impor- tance. The illustrations and photographs, by Edgar and Winifred Ward, are good examples of the type familiar to all who have used these guides. Thirty or forty years ago the news of the arrival of a vessel from abroad was announced to Liverpool business men by the ringing of the bells of St. Nicholas Church. Were the same custom observed to-day there would be an almost unceasing ringing of bells. The words "shipping news" conjure up romantic thoughts in most of us, and Mr. Stanley Salvidge's article in the Cunard Birthday Number (the 89th Cunard birthday) gives these thoughts direction. This delightful magazine contains several interesting articles ; Mr. lieble Chatt,erton writes with knowledge and understanding of the difficulties experienced in those far-away pioneer days of sea travel. The illustrations are profuse and beautiful, and the general production of this Birthday Number is admirable.
[We shall be glad to answer queries arising out of the Travel articles published in our columns. Enquiries should be addressed to the Travel Manager, The SPECTATOR, 99 Gower Street, W.C. 1.—Ed. SPEcre.Ton.1
Previous page
