LISTEN FOR A LONESOME DRUM By Carl Carmer In this
New York State Chronicle (Cassell, 10s. 6d.) Mr Carmer has " tried to interpret that land which is generally designated by residents of New York City as 'upstate.' His interpretation is an interesting mixture of autobiography, anecdote, history and folklore—ancient and con-
temporary. He has certainly gathered some unusual material, most of which will be new to non-Americans at any rate. Stories of the supernatural, such as are still current in country places all over the world, give rather a ghostly atmosphere to the region which may not be appreciated by those to whom what is unexplainable is untrue. De has a fascinating account of the once notorious Oneida Community of per- fectionists which flourished during the last century, practising eugenic breed- ing, " complex marriage " and other cults which finally discredited this extraordinary and typically American movement. Mr. Carmer knows his country well, and Writes with plenty of dash and .colour of a State which has received less attention than most. Perhaps its very proximity to New York accounts for this.
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