Rambles in Rome, by S. Russell Forbes (Nelson and Sons),
seems to be an intelligently-written and well-arranged guide-book for strangers in Rome. It is profusely illustrated with woodcuts, maps, and plans, and yet is bound so as to be wonderfully light in the hand, for the amount of information therein contained. We quote a few remarks on " Health and Climate," from p. 13 :—" Perhaps the health of no city in the world is so much talked about by people who know nothing of the subject as Rome. We meet with many visitors entertaining all sorts of curious ideas of the health of Rome, what they may and may not do ; and when we ask them their authority, they cannot give any, but they have heard so.' There seem to be mysterious ideas and impressions floating about, that get lodged in some minds no one knows how. People get ill in Rome, of course, just as in any other place ; but more than half the sickness is caused through their own imprudence, such as getting hot and going into cold places, and going from morn till dewy eve' without rest and refreshment. People rush through Europe at express rate, eat all sorts of things that they are unused to at unusual hours, over-exert themselves, change the whole course of living to which they have been accustomed, get ill, and then say, It's the climate of Rome.' There is no doubt that malaria fever does exist in the neighbourhood. of Rome, but only during the three hot months ; and as there are no visitors at Rome then, they are not likely to get it. It does not walk about the streets seeking whom it may devour, as some people sup- pose. The fever visitors get is ague fever, like that known in the Fen districts, and this is invariably taken through imprudence." These wise remarks are followed by useful hints, which intending visitors will do well to notice.
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