For a broad view of a fascinating and important subject
Mr. W. H. Boulton's Pageant of Transport through the Ages (Sampson Low, 12s. 6d.) may be commended. The author begins at the beginning, but the historical retrospect shows clearly that transport has developed more rapidly and sur- prisingly in our own day than in all preceding ages, thanks
to the internal combustion engine. It is curious that the steam-propelled road vehicle should have been both practical and popular just a century ago and yet have been killed by timorous authorities. Probably the imperfections of the old highways contributed to the failure of that most promising experiment ; the motor-car has triumphed in no small measure because the roads have been swiftly improved for its benefit. Mr. Boulton deals with all forms of transport, by land, sea and air, and has brought together a large and entertaining set of illustrations from prints and photographs.
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