231



Correspo?ide?ice, Notes, etc.



his book. Then again, when one turns to the end of the book

for an index, there is none to be found, and one has to grope

about as best one can for the required information. We confess

that we cannot appreciate this new style.


The Author’s aim is a most praiseworthy one, namely, “ to

set out the good which birds do and the protection and preser¬

vation they need; to show what a loss the country-side would

sustain without their joyous presence and voice ; their beauti¬

fully-woven homesteads and delicately-painted eggs; their

winning ways and devotion to their young.” We sincerely trust

that he is right when he tells us that “the day for wanton

shooting of birds is now fast passing away.”


This book does not pretend to be a scientific treatise, but

especially appeals to children and novices in the study of British

birds ; it is pleasantly written, and the photographic illustrations

of nests and birds are very good, though the majority of pen-

and-ink drawings would have been better omitted.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



EXETER ’CHANGE IN 1791.


Sir,—I lately liad the opportunity of examining a small collection of

handbills which were the relics of a Norwegian lady who visited London in

1791 and spent a week here enjoying the sights of town. Only one has the

date but the others all evidently belong to the same period, and one is so

interesting to aviculturists that I have copied it out and give it verbatim at

the end of this communication.


The dated one was a playbill of a musical drama at Drury Lane ;

evidence that popular taste has not very much changed in a century. Then

there was the handbill of a Wonderful Magic Mirror, reminding one of

Earl’s Court, and one of a Fortune Teller, proving the 18th century more

tolerant than the 20th.


But the one that interested me most was a handbill of the wonderful

attractions on view at Exeter ’Change (now Exeter Hall or near that spot),

and which formed the Zoological Gardens of that day. I think a com¬

parison by the readers of this journal of the Past and the Present will

immensely amuse them. Think of the present Zoo. and the “ Great Room ”

of Exeter ’Change with one room wider, and one room over. Fancy, also,

an Elephant in a room, however large, and placed at the top of the house !



