The Eyes of the Thames. By A. T. Peek. (Ward
and Downey.) —Mr. Peak has observant eyes and a certain command of lan- guage wherewith to express himself, and makes many a shrewd remark. The title of his volume, indeed, is no indication of the contents, which include chapters on "The Essex Coast," "The Nore Light," "Portsmouth," "A London Orchard," and other subjects. There is much interesting discourse about the London and suburban poor, which only strengthens most sensible people's ideas as to their real improvidence. As a rule, very sensible and much to the point, Mr. Pak sometimes jars with a commonplace or a vulgarism. In "A Sunday in Surrey," after describing very pleasantly the church-goers, he goes on to say :—" Well, well ! they are good honest girls, and the new curate stands 5 ft. 11 in., and has such lovely searching eyes." Compelled, as we often are, to hear such nonsense, we did not expect it from a sensible writer.
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