PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 70

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

ftiessrs Hurst and Blaclcctt, London, are Bringing out a series of popular copyright novels at the ridiculously low price of 7d net. They are bound in cloth, with gilt lettering, well printed on good paper with rew type, and each volume has a. frontispiece bj a well-known artist. From Mr Joseph Braithwaite we have received two of the earliest of the 50 which are to be placed or. tho market at short intervals. The first of these i 6 Madame Albanesi's novel, "The Strongest of All Things." This •is a really charming story. The second volume is Mrs B. M. Croker's novel, '"The Youngest Miss Mowbray," written in a light vein. From the New South Walos Books t a 1' Company, Sydney, we have received a novel by Mrs Baillie Reynolds, entitled "Th-a Wes of March." It. is based on a monkish prophecy, but is a story of modern life. They evidently intended to send with it "A Young Man From the Country," by Madame Albanesi, but instead have forwarded a copy of " The Youngest Miss Mowbray." This series of hovels will no doubt be appreciated by the "heading public when they can secure them tor their own property at a price which ■jiot so long ago was charged by some lending- librarier for a mere perusal after the cst piice lu-d been denosited. The improvements which have oeen made in the jnac'ir sry in printing offices is doubtless 'irj.-- Iv jc-ponsible Tor the reduction in the (.' --r < f production. Ti>< 1.. ■ Hand for August is to hand from Mi :s Gordon and Gotch. The <--\j,oi it, <■ * of coloured illustrations is being con lai v.-j 1 The coloured' cover, by Norman Lindsay, entitled " Defence," shows the deck of a d^troyer at sea flying the Australian flag. He has also designed and painted the frontispiece, which illustrates an incident in his "Story of the Abrolhos," the opening paper. Thi6 is an interesting account of a page from past history dealing with the mutiny on the Dutch ship Bata\ia.

The wreck of this immigrant ship diverted the attention of the Dutch from Australia, and but for this the Commonwealth would probably have become a Dutch settlement. Mi 0. P. Conigrave deals witb the Abrolhos from the scientific side " Galahad Jones" is the name of a story by the editor, Mr A. H. Adams, of which the opening chapters are given. Mr R. C. Packin contributes a readable article on " The Boy Scouts " and their work. The question of " The Aerial Defence of Australia " is discussed by Mr Charles L. Garland. " The Broken Vane " is an aeroplane fantasy. " The Joints in Our Armour," by Commander A. Douglas-Douglas, points out the weak spots in Australian defence. A leading Sydney dentist exposes the method of the quack dentist. There is another instalment of the authorised biography of Madame Melba, while the concluding instalment appears of " Ths Commonwealth Crisis," by Mr C. H. Kirmess. Mr Walter Murdoch contributes an appreciation of George Meredith. " Two or three short sketchy stories, a paper on art, and " Mimes and Music " go to make up a specially good number. The outstanding features of local and English history are dealt with in the August issue of the Review of Reviews for Australasia, just to hand. Sir Robert Stout, our Chief Justice, is the subject of the character sketch, and, needless to 6ay, under the genial .influence of Mr Stead he has a good deal to say* about education, temperance, and otiher matters. The Book of the Month is " Darwin : Genesis, Gospel, and Apocalypse." The leading articles in the magazines are reviewed and summarised, and there is an interesting collection of current cartoons. ,^ Fitchett's N«w Idea for August, with the six free paper patterns, prizes and puzzles, fashion notes, literary articles and stories, needlework, hints and general matter, should be a good investment for ladiesi at the publishing price of 6d per number.

The Triad for August contains some excellent illustrations, reproductions of works of art. There is a good deal of original and selected reading matter, critical and otherwise.

The London Magazine for August has an attractive cover design from a watercolour drawing, and, as a frontispiece, a reproduction of Holbein's portrait of the Duchess of Milan. " Flying the Channel " is a special article by Mr R. W. Wallace, K.C., chairman of the Aero Club. T. L. writes of " The Only Reigning Queen in Europe," and Dr Forbes Winslow discusses '"Hypnotism." "Tho Summer Girl," " The New Fashions," and " Society at the Races " are the subjects of other articles. The authorised autobiography of Madam Melba is continued. There are seven complete short stories, and an instalment of Mr Cuteliffe Hyne's serial, '" Empire of the World." Of the departments, the most interesting this month is tHe X-ondon stage, in are given portraits of prominent actresses Our copy is from Messrs Gordon and Gotch.