ENGLAND WAS AN ISLAND ONCE

A nostalgic book about England, by an American, wife of William Beebe, who spends part of every year in England. ""A record of England in her halcyon times as well as in her travail."" Her book is neither travel nor personal experiences; she alternates between emotional and impressionistic studies, and historical backward glances. She talks of the beauty of England, of her preoccupations and life as it was -- over twelve consecutive summers. Of the intrusion and realization of approaching shadows -- but of her faith in England's doing what she did before -- coming through. There is little of the objective and critical understanding of the Lohrke book, The Long Watch in England.