The traffic-reformer, the town-planner, the architect, and the historian will
each get something out of Mr. Harold Clunn's London : 1897-1927 (Murray, 18s., illustrated), which the author describes as " an attempt to depict the principal changes which have taken place, with some suggestions for the further improvement of the Metropolis." With our own eyes we can see reconstructed London as it is to-day ; many of Mr. Clunn's illustrations show it as it used to be, and he is feitile in suggestions of what it may become. His is no hidebound conservatism which deplores modern reconstruction. He recognizes it as the march of progress, during which,, incidentally, two storeys have been added to London's stature. At the same time Mr. Clunn does deplore the hasty adoption_ of so-called improvements, especially those designed to deal with traffic congestion. With regard to slums he does not speak, except once or twice allusively. There, of course, vigorous action will be necessary. As regards traffic, the quiet elimination of some of London's worst bottle-necks, like those of Oxford Street, High Holborn, and Piccadilly opposite Swallow Street, would do much more to solve, the traffic problem than the grandiose schemes of thcise who are always ready to spend other people's money.
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