CHAPMAN’S MAGAZINE.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1722, 10 September 1862, Page 3

CHAPMAN’S MAGAZINE.

[from A CORRESPONDENT.] You were unable through want of space in jour last, to other than notice this periodical, of which two numbers have now appeared, This fact is significant of the literary progress of the colony as well as of the publishing enterprise of our citizens. The magazine is a most creditable production so far as manipulation is concerned, only one error in this department having come under my notice. In the present number we have chapters first and second of “ A Rolling-Stone,” which, singular to say, lost its mosses before it gathered them, but as it is apparently destined for a 1 ong journey, it may be hardly fair yet, to pronounce upon its merits. It may be auriferous quarts or only road metal, but the quantity ot Somerset dialogue so plentifully protruded in these two chapters, without any compensation whatsoever, is by no means a hopeful indication of future value. The magazine will not gather much moss by pages of “ chaw bacon” literature, such as “ Oh, zays oi, ‘oi bee just a goin’ up to t’ yard, zur, to see about place for t’ ’ooman,” &c. The poetry in both numbers is excellent of its kind, b cing well calculated to deter the future publication of muddled nonsense, by affording in itself, to those who wish to woo the muse, striking examples of everything that should be avoided. It has been doubtless for a similar reason that the judicious editor has presented us, with the first part of a very prose tale entitled “ Peter’s Story,” of which it it is quite enough to say that it is told in “ Nights by the Camping Fire” in New Zealand but placed in Spain, and in the first decade of the Seventeenth Century, with a Zuleika and a Zara, and of course an Alphonzo. We fear this talc will scar ccly be appreciated by the reading public of this colony, being in my opinion, better suited for genteel burial in one of those aggregations of plates and letter-press, called •‘Young Ladies’ Albums, ” which, are valued more for the cost of their covers than the quality of their contents. It may, perhaps, be in view to publish a Court Album for the native aristocracy at the Court of King Matutaerc, and for such a purpose, if we can judge from the sample, “ Peter’s Tale” would be wonderfully fitting by reading Maungatautari instead of Malaga, and dating 1861. There follows the first part of a tale lor Maoris concerning “ Kohuki and his two wives,” which, however interesting to our coloured fellow subjects, is of none to us. “ There was he and there were his wives” is the beginning sentence, and with much needed excuses lor tediousness, the present part ends. The story so far wo must confess is fitter for Te Karere Maori than a Pakeha Magazine, and I only can account for its being found here by the hypothesis above mentioned, viz., of the shrewd and enterprising publisher having an inkling of some intended plan by the government, of album-izing the refractory Waikatos; and preparing himself for the undertaking. I wait with pleasure for the remainder of “ First Experiences,” which, with the “ History of New Zealand,” make the Magazine no dear bargain, even were the excellent contributions of Mr. Hay “on the Garden” not thrown in. The selections also arc good, and there need be little fear of anyone grudging the modest purchase money. I wish the undertaking success, but to gain that end there must be greater difference between the Auckland monthly and its co-serial the Maori Messenger, than is to be found, only in the paper and printing. A local magazine, just started in a new coony, should be more useful than otherwise, and were this to contain more articles of the class of Mr. > not imbed Its other worthy contributions m pages of vapid, dull imaginings, apparently as voi they arc of purpose, one might look forward to an in creased eircallt. and its lira, establishment among* „s. I sincerely hope during the coming month . I may tak' a tliocht and mend” and afford mo the plea j sure of congratulation on its next appearance.