UNKNOWN DEVON. By L. Du Garde Peach and Gyrth Russell.
(The Godley Head. 15s.)--" The average wanderer," says the author of this book, ` knows little or nothing of Devon beyond Torquay, Exeter, Plymouth, or, if he be a motorist, Countisbury Hill, Beggar's Roost and Parracombe . . . . and he may have left his car for repairs at Lyninouth or Ilfracombe." We simply do not believe it. From June onwards, in our experience, Devon is alive with the average wanderer ; nor, as One of the visitors, do we find that Mr. Du Garde Peach has described many scenes with which we arc not familiar. He has an irritating habit of repeating himself. Thus, of the Estuary of the Dart, on page 63 : " This broad, winding estuary . . . . is one of the most beautiful in Devon. Indeed, the skippers of the river-craft which ply between Dartmouth and Totnes will roundly assert that it is the most beautiful in the world." And on page 110: " This, surely, must be one of the most beautiful estuaries in the world," and so on, the description beginning all over again. However, if the book had interested us less we should not have troubled to point out these faults. To read it, to browse over it rather, is the next best thing to being in Devon itself. The illustrations are skilful and charming ; and the author, with his pipe and his quiet humour, reveals a likeable personality in a well- bound and printed book.
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