It is strange that an unpublished book by Southey, who
died in 1848, should have been lying for many years in the library of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Now that it has been edited, for the Institution, by Professor Herford, this Journal of a Tour in Scotland in 1819 (Murray, 10s. 6d.) proves to be of great interest. For Southey made the tour in company with Telford, the famous engineer, and travelled over the new " Parliamentary " roads and bridges which, under Telford's direction, were then opening up the Highlands. The travellers saw the Caledonian Canal under construction; and went as far north as Sutherland and westward to the sea and Skye. Southey's account, written in his clear and easy prose, of what he saw marks the contrast between the miser- able poverty of the old regime and the new civilization which Telford's roads made possible.
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