Chaster. By Bertram C. Windle. (Methuen and Co. as. 6d.
net.)—Chester is one of the most picturesque, and also one of the most ancient, dwelling places in England. There are many "cheaters" in England; but this is the Chester, the camp, dating its origin as far back as the Roman occupation of Britain in the second half of the first century of our era. It was always a military post, and when the Roman armies left Britain, naturally decayed. In the sixth century it had practically disappeared. In the tenth century, or before, it recovered some of its old import- ance,—a place so situated could not long remain unoccupied. In the sixteenth century it became a bishopric; the great event of the seventeenth century was the famous siege. In 1648 a worse enemy than the army of the Parliament assailed it ; it was desolated by the Plague. Mr. Windle tells the story of the city, past and present, in an interesting way, and he is well helped by the skilful pencil of Mr. Edmund New, who furnishes the illustrations.