THE READERS' COLUMN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 18 April 1914, Page 6

THE READERS' COLUMN.

(Conducted by James Wortley.)

THE CHILDREN'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA.

Just as the note in the last Reader s Column on the Children's Magazine reached the. press I received from Messrs. Angus and Robertson, Ltd. (Sydney), per A. S. Brooker, an advance prospectus of a new issue of the Children's Encyclopaedia, for which they have secured the Australasian rights. The work, which comprises eight volumes, totalling 5,383 pages and 8004 illustrations, is being published at four •guineas, and sold on the monthly instalment system. No family need be without, this very valuable aid to a child's education.

NOTES. Messrs. Cassell, who have been lagging somewhat of late in the production of important new fiction, are again making good the old and honoured name. Among new novels from this firm are Rider Haggard's latest "The Wanderer's Necklace," a strong story; "The Terms of Surrender." by Louis Tracy, and new books by Jeffrey Farnoland H. G. Wells. Ward, Lock & Co. have jußt issued a now book by Gertrude Page, entitled, '"The Pathway." It is said to be well up to this writer's form and style, so it will be assured of a, very, large circle of readers, especially among the ladies. The final part (No. 7) of "The Golden Bough." Doctor Frazer's stupendous study of magic, is just from the press in two volumes (20s nett). The whole work is monumental in size, and will •probably be read with interest by very few. Most folk will he content to accept the dictum of students that tlie work is very fine, and leave it at that, without so much as turning a page.

Kipling books are coming from the press at a great rate these days. Methucn's , are issuing a number of titles at Is 6d and again at 2s each, and Macmillan's are bringing out the works complete in Colonial Library edition at 3s 6d net. This latter is hei'ng issued at two volumes per month and while printed in a serviceable type on serviceable paper, I think the blue cloth cover would ihave had a great deal better appearance if it were plain, instead of being scored all over with black lines of ornamentation. By the way, this same firm's limp leather pocket edition, published at ss, is one to be proud of, and decidedly attractive on the library shelves. '

"The Canadian Magazine" for.March (per A. S. Brooker) is an attractive number, and its .whole get-up ia on a par with the leading monthly illustrateds. Its contents are of course purely Canadian. A sketch of the old Bytown Canal 'of Ottawa leads one back to the .early days of Canada. Another article on early history is Canada's conquest of Astoria in 1813. A most* interesting study, is a comparison by W. C. Gaynor of the two Acadian races (of Quebec and Louisana), contrasting tliese branches of the Acadian people, both descendants of the one common stock, indeed, of the same group of families, but now widely separated by climate, government and general environment. Other articles are on Norman Angell; the new Mormon temple at Cardston, Alberta; George Purley deswibed as the right hand of Canada's present premier; Panama Canal tolls; there are six pages of short reviews, and three of notes on current events.

"Fruit Tree and Grape Vine Pruning" is an admirable handbook for orchardists and amateurs which is issued' from the South Australian Government press. It deals with the subject in a very clear and non-technical manner, and the veriest tyro among fruit trees can hardly go astray if he takes note of the admirable photographs and drawings with which the text is so profusely illustrated. There are no less than 247 plates, and many of these contain three and four figures, elucidating tlie ideas of the author. NEW NOVELS.

"Sis Within," by Harriet Malone Hobson, author of "Jinks' Inside." Philadelphia: George W. Jacobs and Co.

A most unusual story, Icing the child, history of a little girl in «, foundling home. Possessed of an almost uncanny amount of real horse sense, and a character and personality which immediately focussed itself upon the crux of any problem, Sis is a girl whose directness of speech makes lige unbearable for those actions and words will not bear the noonday glare, while she at the same time wins hosts of friends who are worth while. The problems of life it unfolds will rivet the attention of the reader.

"Where the Strange Roads go Down." by Gertrude Page. London: Hirst and Blackett, Ltd. 1913.

Dhese Rhodesian tales are ever fresh, and in this book Gertrude Page deals with an old, old problem—of those who arc, unequally yoked together. One might term it with greater accuracy, the old, old tragedy. The chief charactor is Joe La thorn, an artless, unspoiled girl whom we all love at sight. Joe is the wife of Cyril Lathom, who has persuaded her to marry, although Joe found her one and only love in Jack Desborough some eleven years prior to, the opening of our story. But Jack was then by doctor's verdict doomed to a. consumptive's early death. How Jackcomes again suddenly and unexpcctedlv into the life of Joo is realistically told. The final, 'happy-ever-after stages are not reached in the tale under review. But yet, how seldom they are reached in real life. We have a, sample here of the many marriages which are founded on wrong ideals, where the deep elemental passions of human nature are absent. This absence prevents that perfect union proverbially made in heaven, and from the very altar there commences a drift, at first imperceptible, but which soon strains at each and every action in marital life.

In her own case Joo has sufficient strength of character to take tile noble and only true course under the circumstances. The magnificent and tactful manner in which die comes to the aid of >uta is very finely told. We have nothing .but contempt for Geoffrey. It ii the essence of cruelty to be so indifTcron to a loving, ardent nature, that the verv soul is starved and shrivelled. When such occura anything may happen in consequence. Again, thanks to Joe, the worst is averted.

| A pleasant evening may be well and | profitably spent with (his book, which sets out the loftiest ideals, while frankly accepting the limitations of mankind Received for review from Mr A S Brooker the B>K. Bookshop, fliion St.' Wherever there is a cold DrV fkcldon'o / >ew Discovery is the shortest T pathwL\ to good health. Price Is fid and 3 8 . Ob- f tainable at Johnston Bros.