This division of the posthumous work of Walter Besant on “The survey of London” will be complete in two volumes. “Mediaeval London, historical and social” to be followed by “Mediaeval London, ecclesiastical.” “The first volume discusses the history of the city in relation to our kings, whose dealings with the capital are succinctly recorded. The social condition of the town is also exhibited in its many and varied phases.” (Ath.) “The numerous and excellent illustrations are not the least attractive feature of the book. Many are taken from manuscripts in the British museum and elsewhere.” (Nation.)
“The great charm of these volumes is the individuality of the writer.”
+ + – Ath. 1906, 2: 65. Jl. 21. 1200w. (Review of v. 1.)
“His notes are exceedingly valuable, and no future historical novelist of London will, we imagine, ever pass them by.”
+ Lond. Times. 5: 233. Je. 29, ’06. 990w. (Review of v. 1.)
“Parts of the whole volumes are suggestive rather of a collection of materials than of the production of a literary artist.”
+ – Nation. 83: 101. Ag. 2, ’06. 1270w. (Review of v. 1.) Sat. R. 102: 424. O. 6, ’06. 1280w. (Review of v. 1.)
“It is impossible here to do justice to the ability with which this picture of the past is drawn. Sir Walter left out nothing that could help us to realize the vigour of the great city, its pride of patriotism, its wealth, its far-reaching commerce. His name will be linked with it in such a fashion as we can hardly find paralleled in the history of the world’s capitals.”
+ + + Spec. 97: 541. O. 13, ’06. 1320w. (Review of v. 1.)