29 NOVEMBER 1930, Page 16

The volumes are broad and spacious ; and, of course,

their essential value should lie in the regional plan or plans that the county council or district councils will eventually operate in accordance with the suggestions of the survey. But they are also inspiring essays in topography ; and would make admirable manuals. Village people delight in local history if it is plainly presented ; and when the councils produce their regional plans they would do general service and enrol a number of eager helpers, if they could boil down the surveys into a form suitable for use in the elementary and secondary schools. It used to be claimed by a wise and generous land- owner that every man in the parish was an assistant keeper. So the county councils could make every girl and boy an assistant preserver.