London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
A SNAIL-WAY GUIDE, BY J. ASHBY STERRY.
I have had the advantage of a quiet perusal of the of my friend Mr. Ashby Sterry, in which the charms of Tunbridge Wells are duly | |
317 | set forth. The delights in descriptions of the Common, and the magnificent country surrounding High Rocks and Rusthall Church. To those who admire a series of charming word-pictures, I confidently recommend this little work. It is not in the least like an ordinary guide-book, inasmuch as it comes from the desk of an accomplished essayist, of whom it may be said that his pencil and his pen are equally graceful, equally eloquent, equally fanciful. I have the less hesitation in recommending my friend's to the general public, as I have every reason for believing it is out of print, and that its present price is about the dozen times the charge made by the original publishers. So my recommendation cannot be stigmatised as an advertisement, but merely accepted as the possible cause of a fruitless search ending happily at last in the reading-room of the British Museum. If I am not mistaken, a volume once costing only a few coppers can now only be purchased by gold or its equivalent. And if any of my readers are inclined to possess themselves of the at the increased price, I do not think they will have any cause to regret the bargain. The beauties of Tunbridge Wells are painted in words, and each syllable is worth its weight in diamonds. |
