In and Round the Isle of Purbeck. By Ida Woodward.
(John Lane. 21s. net.) —The Isle of Purbeck—it is no more an island than Thanet—with its area of something less than a hundred square miles, is astonishingly full of places of interest. Its most famous show place is Corfe Castle. This came into historical prominence when it was the scene of the murder of King Edward. William the Conqueror seems to have added the great tower, and John shut up here for a while his niece, the sister of Arthur, and "Damsel of Brittany." From time to time it reappears, commonly as a prison. In 1643 it was courageously held by Lady Bankes for the King. Two years afterwards it was taken by treachery, and destroyed by order of Parliament. It now remains, in itself and in its situation, which dominates the village in a remarkable way, one of the most picturesque ruins in England. Another notable place. though the interest is of another kind, is Kingston Russell. Here dwelt the John Russell who became Earl of Bedford. Philip of Austria and his wife, Juana of Aragon (daughter of Isabella the Catholic), were guests of Sir Thomas Trenchard at Wolfeton House as they were on their way from the West Country to London. No one could speak Spanish; Henry Russell supplied the need. The Royal guests were so pleased with him that they took him to London and presented him to the Bing (Henry VII.) This was the beginning of one of the great families of England. Purbeck has many other associations, though none Of them are so important as these. Mt% J. W. G. Bond has .beautified the volume with some very pictUresque illustrations.
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