Picturesque Essex. Sketches by Duncan Moul, Letterpress by R. H.
Ernest Hill. (F. E. Robinson and Co. 6s.)—This com- pletes the "Home Counties Series," Sussex, it should be under- stood, being included in this term. The volume amply vindicates the claim of Essex to be counted picturesque. It is true that it is largely indebted for its beauties to human work; it abounds in old manor-houses and the like, and has some fine gardens. But, then, we know that man has had a very large share in making the country, at least the country that most of us see. As we go through these drawings—and a very pleasant task it is—we find that a very considerable proportion are of buildings of one kind and another. As our authors begin with Colchester, we expect this kind of illustration. But the same continues ; the most rural in the first sixty pages are a mill and two bridges. Then on p. 61 we have a view on the Colne. Nature pre- dominates in " Yeldham Oak," divides "Castle Hedingham," and engrosses " Monkswood," a scene in Epping Forest. In " Beeleigh Falls," again, the bridge and the weir make no small addition to the charm. All the other pictures are mainly archi- tectural. Here the artist has found abundant material, and made excellent use of it, while, of course, to the writer this kind of subject is much the more suggestive.
Previous page
