CAPTAIN BARRY’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2138, 28 January 1880, Page 3

CAPTAIN BARRY’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

“Up and Down; or, Fifty Years’ Colonial Experiences ; being the life of Captain W; J. Barry, written by himself,” has just made its appearance, in the shape of an elegant gilt edged volume decorated, with the Australian Coat of Arras on the cover, and a portrait of the venerable Captain Jack Barry, us a frontis-piecc. The preface says: —“ On perusing the pages of my work you may compare me to diaries Dickens’ ‘Micawber’; but I have always looked upon myself as the reverse of that celebrated character. I have never ‘ waited for something to turn up,’ but have gone on turning up something; much on the same principle as a plough, however, leaving the furrow behind it, and thus Micawber and I by different routes arrived at the same goal-poverty. I will not apologise for my work ; it is the production of an unlettered and almost self-educated man, but leave it in your hands for judgment. The recital of niy r life’s history' may serve to ‘ point a moral’ if it docs not ‘ adorn a tale,’ although personally on one occasion, as you will find on perusal, I have adorned the tail of a bullock while crossing the deep and rapid River Cluiha,in Otago, New Zealand. With this wretched joke, I remain,, dear readers, yours faithfully.” At the cud are the portraits of several identities.and Sir Julius Yogol and'Mr Macandrcw, “Cabbage” Wilson of Christchurch, Avho is spoken of in eulogistic terms, and an old friend named G. M'Gavin,” are amusingly grouped together.