Reviews and Book N^oiices. 387 



The fact is that geologfy has made such rapid strides during- 

 the last few years, and has so many points in contact with other 

 branches of science, that devolution has become essential, and 

 we welcome all the aid which Physics, Geography, Zoology, and 

 Botany can give. 



Derby : its Rise and Progress. By A. W. Davison. Bemrose and 

 Sons, 1906. 342 pages, 5/-. 



In this little book the author describes in a pleasant way the history of 

 Derby from the earliest times. Chapter I. deals with the time ' Before the 

 Conquest,' and Chapters V'll. and VIII. with Town Annals (1833-1905) and 

 Dates of local events. There is also an Appendix and a g-ood Index. There 

 are descriptions and illustrations of old Derby, the latter are quite surprising- 

 to anyone who has only been able to pay a hasty visit to Derby and examined 

 it without proper guidance. Much space is devoted to ' The Newspaper 

 Period.' Boswell, in 1777, wrote, ' I felt a pleasure in walking about Derby. 

 There is an immediate sensation of novelty, and one speculates on the 

 way in which life is passed in it.' Mr. Davison's book is just what Boswell 

 would want, were he alive to-day. The printers and publishers have not 

 done their share of the work quite so well as they are in the habit of doing. 



The Care of Ancient Monuments. By Q. Baldwin Brown, M.A. 



Cambridge University Press. 260 pages, price 7/6 net. 



The sub-title, ' An account of the legislative and other measures adopted 

 in other European countries for protecting ancient monuments and objects 

 and scenes of natural beauty, and for preserving the aspect of historical 

 cities,' defines the scope of the work. All who know Professor Baldwin 

 Brown, and the keen interest he has always taken in the preservation and 

 conservatism of anything and everything having an artistic, historical, 

 archaeological or natural value, will welcome the present volume, in which 

 his views are tersely put. The word ' monimient ' is used in its broadest 

 sense. Professor Brown would like to see a Royal Commission appointed 

 on the lines of the Historical Manuscripts Commission, but with the power 

 extending over the wide field of ancient monuments in general. Such Com- 

 mission should have in view in the first instance, Inventorization, after which 

 should come measures of protection. Its work would also form a basis for 

 a new and extended Monument Act on the lines of those recently passed, or 

 still under discussion, on the Continent. Professor Baldwin Brown also gives 

 a verdict strongly in favour of local antiquities, etc., being preserved in the 

 districts in which they are found. ' The local museum acts favourably, by 

 way of stimulus and construction, upon those persons in a district who are 

 of an antiquarian turn of mind. . . . The activity of local societies should by 

 all means be encouraged, and the district museum focusses the society's 

 work, and often gives it a local habitation.' Not the least valuable part of 

 the work is the summary given of the methods adopted in various foreign 

 countries for the preservation of their historical monuments. Special 

 attention should be drawn to the completeness of the survey of foreign 

 legislation and arrangements. In connection with this official documents 

 are largely used, instead of second-hand accounts, such as those obtained 

 through diplomatic channels, which are often untrustworthy. In almost 

 every instance it is evident that other coimtries take a far keener interest 

 in their monuments than we do in ours. And in some countries the govern- 

 ments maintain the right within their jurisdiction of the first offer of col- 

 lections of art or antiquarian treasures of any description. When will 

 English people tire of seeing their valuable collections purchased and 

 taken away by foreigners ? 



1906 November i. 



