CHANGING LONDON IN NEW HANDBOOK

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 270, 13 November 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

CHANGING LONDON IN NEW HANDBOOK

Originally pubTisnod In 1028 in Methuen's "Little Guide" series, Mr. H. V. Morton's "London" (Methuen) has now been thoroughly revised and brought up to date by its original author. In an interesting preface Mr. Morton remarks that the task of revision has been "a liberal education in the changes, which can occur in London during the brief time of 11 years." During that time Lansdowne House, Chesterfield House, Groevenor House, Waterloo Bridge, and the Adelphi have disappeared, and the death-warrant has already been made out for several other landmarks of importance. It is as useless to deplore such things, however, says Mr. Morton, as to rail against the changes of the moon or the ebb and flow of the tide. But while one may not feel justified in deploring the fact of change, perhaps the nature of some of the changes recorded may make a reflective spectator pause. Are not the new "luxury flats" potentially, even certainly, future slum tenements? Mr. Morton, after considering this in pessimistic vein, decides that the best consolation he can find is that they will be as easy to pull down as they were to put up.

The book itself is merely a handbook —an index of places of interest with brief notes on each. A useful map adorns the front endpaper, and there are seven or eight illustrations of well-known London scenes. The text has been brought well up to date, and though naturally written in guidebook style, yet is sprinkled with remarks of interest to

the literary or philosophical reader. The book should find a place in the pocket (for it is just small enough) of every prospective visitor to London.