The Canal System of England. By H. Gordon Thompson. (T.
Fisher Irnwin. 2s. net.)—Not very long ago the canals of England were commonly supposed to have been wholly super- seded. Some had been bought by the railways and allowed to fall into ruin ; most of the others were on the down grade, to say the least. There has been a salutary reaction. The railways have been compelled to repair, and the importance of having a second system of carriage, vastly cheaper than that of the rail- ways, is generally recognised. Mr. Thompson's book, which con- tains many interesting details, is a timely publication. On the Continent canals have never ceased to be utilised. The question is not an easy one. Railways, shamelessly robbed by the owners
of land in their making, and not less shamelessly robbed by rating authorities now, have been badly treated. But this is no valid reason why the public convenience should not be studied when it can be served by the cheaper conditions of water carriage.
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