6 AUGUST 1887, Page 26

A Winter's Cruise in the Mediterranean. By W. D. Gainsford.

(Swan Sonnensthein and Co.)—There ie something of the " Smel- f catguts " tone in Mr. Gainsford's utterances. Things, for the moat part, disappoint him. His enthusiasm is but rarely moved. Indeed, we do not know whether the Apollo Belvidere is not the only thing that raises him to genuine admiration. Most things seem to have been overpraised,—notably the climate, which he finds far worse than what we experience in England. There is too much of forced fun about the book. Still, it is good to hear what is to be said on the adverse aide.