History of the Parishes of East and West Ham. By
Katharine Fry. Edited and Revised by G. Pagensleeper. (A. Siegle.) —Though this volume is intended for private circulation only, and so scarcely comes within the ordinary scope of criticism, we must give it a few words of welcome. The author, a daughter of the celebrated Elizabeth Fry, spent the greater portion of her life at Plashet (a village which we cannot find either on the map or in the gazetteer), and, among other activities, gave much time and trouble to the collection of local records. This collection seems to have received some shaping, how much we do not know, from the hands of the editor. A very interesting story is the result, and one which we heartily commend to readers who care for such things. It is full of matter, and the only difficulty is to choose something for mention. Perhaps the story of the "Highways, Bridges, and Causeways," contained in the second chapter, is as interesting as any. But the curious account of parochial affairs in West Ham, from the manuscripts of a grumbling parishioner, must not be forgotten.
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