15 MAY 1909, Page 25

The Tower of London. By Charles G. Harper. (Chapman and

Hall. 7s. ad. net.)—Mr. Harper, who has done as much as any man of. books to give us a knowledge of many things that it is a pleasure to sec and to road about—has he not written about roads and coaches and various countries and coasts and highwaymen ?- puts us under a now obligation by this book about one of the greatest of London sights,—he ranks it, quite rightly, with ,

Wsesteshuiter AbLey. In early days, and down to comparatively recent times, it was a menagerie. Its armouries, regalia, &as have been a show since the Restoration. A very curious story it is that Mr. Harper tells, with not a little, it must be confessed, of "London's lasting shame" in it. Of "foul and midnight murders", we need not speak. It is fairly certain that the victims would have done the same by their enemies if they had had the chance,—It few exceptions, of course, being made. But what could be a greater " shame" than the affair of Colonel Blood ? The intensling thief is pensioned with. £500 a year ; the warders who guard the jewels are promised £200, and do not get it. O noble race of Stuart Kings !