A New Ride to Shiva. By Robert L. Jefferson. (Methuen
and Co. 6s.)—Many people declared that it was impossible to ride a bicycle to Khiva. That, Mr. Jefferson tells us, was "the real reason " why he went. As a matter of fact the many were right. When our traveller left "Fort No. 1 " to cross the Kizil Kum desert he had to hire some camels, one of which carried his cycle and the others his stores, while he rode a pony. This was to cross a marsh. Then came some hard sand; then again three or four mileS of such soil that the camel had to be called in again. Still, the traveller and his machine got to their destination some- how, and everybody ought to be glad he went, for he has written a really amusing book about his adventures and experiences. His account is not tempting ; the Russian peasantry were miserable ;. the officials overbearing; and the Kerghiz and Turcomans savages. But one thing was manifest ; the Russian government of the nomad tribes is highly effective. A single policeman, with the brass plate which symbolises the Imperial power, sufficed to overawe a troop of savages. They obeyed him as the van-drivers and cabmen obey the beneficent despots who regulate the traffic of London.
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