The Balearic Islands. By C. T. Bidwell. (Sampson Low and
Co.) —Mr. Bidwell, who is British Consul for the islands, gives us in this volume an interesting and perfectly candid account of them. They have advantages and disadvantages, beautiful scenery, perfect safety for travellers, fine climate, &c., on the one side ; and on the other, first and foremost, the extreme inconvenience and expense of living. It is almost impossible to rent a house, and not much easier to get servants of any value. Mr. Bidwell's account of these "plagues" as they exist in Majorca ought to go a long way towards reconciling English masters and mistresses with their lot. It must be allowed that they are not very dear. Thirteen pounds seems to be the top-wage of a woman cook, and something less than four pounds of a housemaid. But pro- visions are decidedly dear. Meat seems, indeed, to be a little cheaper than in England, about 9d. a pound ; but then, according to our author, it is always half bone. But butter is more than three shillings a pound, tea is five shillings, sugar tenpence, &c. Then milk is sixpence per quart. Firing is the most alarming of all. Even in that climate, charcoal, costing between six and seven shillings per hundredweight, must be a formidable item of expense. Wine, of course, is cheap, half-a-crown a gallon; while a really superior kind of white wine, the Albaflor, costs only twenty-five shillings the dozen. This is the most practical part of Mr. Bidwell's book, an interesting subject to those who are intent oe the endless search for winter residences. There is to be found besides much interesting information about the manners and customs of the people.
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