The Book of Herbs. By Lady Rosalind Northcote. (J. Lane.
2s. net.)—This is one of the series of "Handbooks of Practical Gardening," but it stands on a different plane from its fellows. It has much more in it than belongs to "practical gardening." We have no reason to suppose that it is at all defective in this respect, but it has distinct literary value. The subject, of course, lends itself to a literary treatment. Lady Rosalind Northcote divides it into various sections. First, we are told about herbs now in use and herbs "chiefly used in the past " ; then that side Of herb-lore which has to do with heraldry, decoration, ecc., is dealt with,—the item of "perfume" surely belongs to the practical. Medicine, Magic, and Beasts supply each a heading, with a chapter on "The Growing of Herbs" put in by the way. There is a great store of curious learning, in the book ; it may be read with interest by those for whom the garden has no par- ticular attraction. The series is most distinctly enriched by this latest addition to it.
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