8 DECEMBER 1906, Page 28

Historic Links. By D. L. Maguire. (Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

6s.)—Miss Maguire describes her book as "a topographical aid to the reading of history." It comes to us with the powerful commendation of Mr. Hubert Hall. We may select as a specimen chap. 3, which is entitled "Norman England." It begins with a description of the Bayeux Tapestry, and proceeds to take up the story of the Conqueror after the battle of Hastings. We are told of his advance to London, and have a description of the city as it then was ; we hear of his crossing the Thames higher up—here the topography is a little vague ; a reader might suppose that Berkhampstead was on the river—and how London surrendered and obtained its famous Charter. So we come to the building of the White Tower, which the Conqueror himself makes a strong- hold, and to some account of its after history. The next chapter carries on the same subject, which is now centred in St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, introducing the story of the Hospitallers ; and the next after this brings in St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield. This is a good idea, and it is well carried out.