NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 532, 12 June 1909, Page 9

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

"Sir Joseph Banks,- tho 'Father of Australia."' By J. H. Maiden, Government .Botanist of New South Wales, etc. ss. Although the work which Banks did for Australia has.been considerably overclouded by the .discoveries, of. his illustrious, leader in.discover} , /Cook, Mr/'Maiden'in this book makes out a very good case in support of Banks's claim to be called "Tho Father of Australia,'.' From the dato of his landing at Botany Bay with Cook, in 1770, Banks was ; the ardent and untiring advocato for Australia, at a' time when many authorities in England saw for it no 'higher , destiny than that of a dumping ground for criminals. Mr. F. M. Bladen, F.11.U.5., Principal Librarian, Sydney, has well summed up Banks's services to the'southern continent. "None," ho.says, "not even . Cook, did more for Australia tnan Banks. One can see him in his London house in Soho Square; or at his home in''Lincolnshire,, entertaining Pitt tho younger and his boon companion—tho impossible, Duiidas, Banks, tho while, foretelling tho splendid future of Australia. Banks never ceased to proclaim his confidence in the newly-discovered southern lands; and it was fortunate for Australia that this was so, for he was in matters of this nature tho trusted advisor and' confidant of tho Government. From the appointment of a Governor down to the equipment of a transport ship, no step was takon without consulting Banks. In effect, he was the honorary Minister for New , Holland, without a portfolio. ' His devotion to the affairs of Australia never waned. When the blood-red, tide of revolution was inundating France and threatening to spread to even stolid England, Banks was proof against the hysteria. Beyond an occasional angry snarl at regicides, he'-bothered'himself but little about the burning political questions of the hour. Ho was content to devote himself to tho departmental details of Australian affairs. In fact,.:it may bo truly said that from the old house in Soho Square emanated the braininess which was the foundation of Great Britain's colonial possessions and policy.". ■..'•'"' ■ . . Mr. Maiden is the secretary of a committed which is striving to collect sufficient funds to establish some worthy memorial of Banks in Australia. The erection of a statuo in Sydney, in the higho3b stylo of art, has been suggested. The entire proceeds from tho sale of the book will be devoted to this purpose, and to the establishment of a prize for botany at Sydney University. The book is not so much a direct story of Banks s interesting career, as •an almost exhaustive compilation of'all" tho facts and authorities that aro ascertainablc in that connection. The scientific work of Banks, his inflexible rule as President of the Royal Society, his acquaintance with Solander, Suttor, Fhhders, and other men of scientific, political, and exploring eminence, his. patronage tif men of literature,' his character, correspondonce, works, and memorials aro treated with assiduous detail, and the volume is enriched with scores'of excellent illustrations, including portraits of Banks at every period of his life, plans, facsimiles of correspondence, and other portraits. It is scarcely conceivable that anyone should want to know anything about Banks which is not included in this small but close-packed volume. The book will probably bo an encyclopedia of information -for a score of future writers about Banks, and it is full of matter of tho deepest' interest to readers. . '.',' '

"Sarah Tuldon's Lovers," by Ormo Agnus. London: Ward, Lock and Co., 3s. 6d. (Wellington; S. and W,.Mackay). In this ago of anaemic literature, a novel of tho typo of "Sarah Tnldon's Lovers" is particularly wclcomo, by reason of its healthy toiio and tho whilf it brings from tho hayfiplds. ■ Mr. Agnus's reputation will bo much 'advanced by this addition to his history of Sarah'Tuldon. : This world is so full of affectation, indolence, and cowardice, that tho tale, of this charming woman is wonderfully refreshing. Her personality is so vividly portrayed and tho development of her oharacter so finely worked out that the wholo interest of tho story is centred in her. It begins about tho timo of her widowhood. Her position as Mrs. Modioli, mistress of Hill Farm, "a considerable heiress and woaltb producer," is obviously congenial to her Her lovo for her littlo son, her only living child, is her.great attachment at this timo. Though only a peasant's daughter, her beauty and character have- mado her famous throughout tho wholo countryside. The laudlord of tho villago inn voiced tho popular opinion when ho pronounced her "f maid that haven' her okal in Darset." She had extraordinary determination, and when an ittstajico of oppression or injustice camo under

her notice it so roused her that she did not hesitate- to step in and try to bring about reform. Sho brought her battery to bear upon the villago drunkard and tho iraseiblo old squiro with strict impartiality. Tho squiro's amazement at licr temerity in forcing

her way into tho Hall to demand improvements in his insanitary cottages quickly gave placo to admiration, and ho became one of her most devoted lovers. Her power over him is perhaps tho greatest tribute to Mrs. aloekell's charms recorded in this story. It is a curious fact that sho would have married

him but that she considered his being a gouty old man with one foot in the gravo would give her too uncertain a tenure aB mistress of the Hall. The first suitor to attract, her is tbo artist, Paul Ostramoro. It is typical of her that she refuses to call his painting work. Sho extols agriculture, is a competent farmer herself, and an ardent boliovor in the virtue of hard manual labour. The most amusing testimony of this part of hor creed is her adventure with Job Mister, tho village loafer, whom sho induced by stratagom to visit the farm, and retained by main force, compelling him for once to eat bread by tho sweat of his brow. Even Mrs. Mockell could not chango tho leopard's spots, and this adventure ended in tragedy. Jn spite of tho great disparity in their tastes and interests, Ostramoro's passion for her and tho added charm of his handsome face and figure, make her imagine herself in love with him. She is very happy until he ieveals his unworthiness. It is a bitter blow for her to find she has been mistaken in him, tho first man she had acknowledged master. Her love dies at tho discovery of his deceit, but he still hopes that slio will yield to him. His character is already weakened by selfindulgonce, and under tbo sickness of hopo deferred ho sinks. The author's delineation of tho gradual triumph of his lower nature displays great skill. Mrs. Mockell's wounded prido takes long to heal. Her suitors come and go as ever. Tho next to find favour is Alox. Stutchley, a Nonconformist minister, her friend for many years. His wooing at first seems utterly hopeless, but in the end ho wins her love. The reader is at first almost disappointed at what seems to bo the mating of lire and water, but tho minister ultimately justifies her choice abundantly. One cannot but be sorry that tho tragic end of her real love story was necessary to teach Sarah Tuldon that she was not sufficient unto herself. At the end of the tale she is a gentler and more lovable- character. Love has como and gone, and has softened "some of her harshness and inexorable temper," but sho is still a woman of action and full of force. The whole mechanism of the story is good. Even the minor characters are depicted with caro and art. Tho part of the storj which concerns old Squire Devorill is particularly spirited and full of humour and incident. Tho author combines admirable technique with deep human interest. The reader cannot but express his praise of Mr. Agmis's gifts, and look forward with pleasure and interest to what he has yet in. store for us.

The Elements.of Animal Physiology." By W. A. Qsborne, M.A., D.Sc, Professor of Physiology in the University of Melbourne, Melbourne: Thomas C. Lothian. Os. This book represents a republication of articles ' which appeared in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Victoria between August, 190G, and March, 1809. The author explains his object as being "to-give an elementary account of physiology from tho standpoint of the mammal' and with special reference to man and tho domestic animals. It 13 hoped that it may junction as a text-book intermediate between tho primer and the special manual of human or veterinary physiology, and therefore ho of.uso to studenta of medicine, veterinary science, and agriculture. As the technical terms employed are all defined, and as no presumption is made that tho reader has studied chemistry or physics, tho book, it is also hoped; may bo road with profit by others who aro not entering upon a definite course of professional study." The book is written in a readily intelligiblo style, without boing made so "popular" as to bo useless for any serious purpose. It treats- its comprehensive subject clearly and in considerable detail, and numerous plans and diagrams assist tho explanations of tho text. The author has compressed a great amount of information into comparatively small space, and his work should bo of very general usefulness.