A Corner of Spain. By Miriam Coles Harris. (Gay and
Bird. 5s.)—The " corner " of Spain is Gibraltar, Malaga, and Seville ; the bulk of the book is devoted to Malaga, only the earlier and closing chapters to the other towns. We see by the title-page that this is not the author's first publication ; but we do not know how many previous works the " &c." may cover. Neither is this her first visit to Europe ; she speaks of residence in Rome and on the Riviera. There is an exasperating attempt at smartness in the style, which is interlarded with bad French, worse Spanish, and occasional Latin. On her arrival the writer knew no Spanish, and though she may have subsequently attained enough for conversational purposes, there is not a trace of her having read any Spanish book. Worse than this, she has a fixed idea that there is no guide- book to Spain. Had she consulted either Murray, or O'Shea, or Btedeker, she would have been saved from some of her worst blunders. Nearly every Spanish custom alluded to is hopelessly confused, not even a brasero is correctly described. In the curious Spanish matrimonial custom which answers to the French summation respectueuse, it is the gentleman who takes the initiative, never the lady, as here set forth, though, of course, her sequestration cannot be carried into effect without her own consent. A convent at which the writer stayed was unfortunately of the latest type of French religious establishments ; but this and a search for a country house are the only experiences beyond those of the ordinary tourist. Full justice, however, is done to the kindness of Spanish women of all ranks, to the simplicity of Spanish life ; and a good word is said even for the Spanish clergy. The paper and type of the Riverside Press are excellent, and are worthy of better matter.
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