Nooks and Corners of Herefordshire. By H. Thornhill Timmins. (Elliot
Stock.)—Herefordshire is a county which is but little known to the average Englishman. As Canon Philott, who fur- nishes this volume with an introduction, remarks : "The popular knowledge of its contents is bounded chiefly by the city of Here- ford and the town and neighbourhood of Ross." It is but little traversed by railroads, having, we think, a smaller mileage in proportion to its acreage than any county (the lake district, of course, excepted). Consequently, it adds to the charm of its scenery the attraction of a people unspoilt by many visitors. The Herefordshire peasant is, as far as the writer's experience goes, the most obliging of his race ; he talks, too, very good English Nor must it be forgotten that, among its attractions, it counts hop-gardens and orchards. There is no lack of interesting objects. The western slope of the Malvern Hills is within its borders ; the Wye runs through it, entering at that curious gap in the Black Mountain occupied by the Welsh Hay, and it is a land of beauty and richness from end to end. A more curious contrast between the barren and the rich could not be found than is to be seen from the Black Mountain, desolate-looking Wales on one side and fertile England on the other. It is no wonder that King Offa made his " Dyke " to keep his British neighbours out of the fertile Mercian valleys. This is the country which Mr. Timmins describes with pen and pencil. We can recommend the book without hesitation to our readers.
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