DOWN THE RIVER. By H.E. Bates. Illustrated by Peter Partington.

(1937) 1987 new edition. 4to (193 x 252mm). Pp152. Newly illustrated in colour by Peter Partington, pictorial end-papers. Green boards, spine titled in gilt.

"Down the River is real England, the England of field and wood and riverbank, of well-loved bird and beast, of trees and flowers and ancient lore, of human people, their lives and their laughter." A review of the first edition, in the Observer newspaper, 1937. H.E. Bates describes "the Ouse and the Nene, rivers which run parallel courses through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire and The Fens, and so to sea. It is at once a particular landscape, with precise geographical points of reference, and an archetypal one, ageless and eternal..." Chapters include; the twin rivers; a boy's brook; the first river; fish and fishermen; the flood; the frost; the second river; water flowers and water creatures; flowers of childhood; the water-mill; the lace-makers; otters and men; the rivers of England; down to the sea. This new edition contains a great many specially commissioned colour and b/w sketches of the locations described, by Peter Partington. A very nice book.