Highways and Byways in South Wales. By A. G. Bradley.
(Macmillan and Co. 6s.)—Mr. Bradley has certainly exalted the writing of a combined archaeological and descriptive guide- book into a species of literary art. Occasionally he may wander a little too deeply into the historical maze, for one requires a Welshman's familiarity with names to derive the utmost pleasure from the frequent story and the even more frequent allusion. But on the whole, the result is fasci- nating. South Wales is not known to the Saxon as North Wales is, and we can positively affirm that nine out of ten people who think they know their Wales will be astonished at the wealth of history and tradition associated with Radnor, Car- diganshire, and Carmarthenshire. How many have ever heard of Golden Grove or of Fishguard, or know the real beauties of the Wye ? How many have heard of that bit of detached England—one might almost say Flanders—to wit, the Flemings of South Pembroke, who, with some West Country blood, are as English as Northern Pembroke is Welsh ? Mr. Bradley, perhaps wisely, pays more attention to persons than places, though ho takes care to give the romantic and turbulent history its proper setting. The scenery be leaves to Mr. Frederick Griggs. We do not always like these pen-and-ink drawings with their very dense shadows, but the style suits the grander elements of hill scenery. The gentler scenes might well repay a gentler hand. Are not these innumerable straight lines representing the sun's rays also somewhat harsh and hard? Nevertheless the feeling of the bold masses of hill are often given most effectively. Nautgarredig is an example. The drawings of the Teify are most successful, one of
Teifysiee rendering the soft outlines of the trees and the gentle dip of the valley with great charm. But Mr. Griggs is expert in several styles, as his clever drawings of St. Mary's College and Treffgarne, and the neat sketch of Haverfordwest, show. The artist and the writer between them have combined to produce a most suggestive guide for an itinerary. Mr. Bradley is so much at home with his Welshmen that the most indifferent Saxon will find his imagination quickened, and his appreciation of the people and their picturesque setting heightened. That much of this country was new to him only makes his grasp of detail and light- ness of touch the more remarkable. No self-respecting traveller in South Wales ought to be without this delightful specimen of the meandering guide-book.
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