MESSRS WARD, LOCK, AND CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XV, Issue 3761, 30 August 1882, Page 2

MESSRS WARD, LOCK, AND CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

Me F. W.Boynton, the Auckland agent of Messrs Ward, Lock, and Co h a actively pressed upon the attention ef colonial book-sellers and readers the works of that well-known London publishing firm. The exhibiu at the Christch .re. Exhibition formed one of the most attrac. tive casts, and was successful in obtaioin? a first-class award. s

The Uxivehsal Issteuctob, obSrlv is CULTOEB FOB ALL.-This is one of the" best of those popular modem text-book . ia the production of which all the leading publishers have vied, and Messrs Ward Lock, & Co. have taken a foremost place! It i 3 a compendium of information on the several branches of instruction which form the groundwork of modern culture. The subjects are expounded by fir.t-class men Arithmetic, by Vere Benson, M.A. • As", tronomy, by Is. Yeison ; botany, byFottW Grindon, Chemistry by A. E. Spencer' English Grammar by L. Toulmin Smith, French Grammar and Pronunciation by Jules A. L. Kunz, Physical Geography and Ancient History by George K. Hmerson, German snd Modern History by H W, Dulchen, Ph.D., Latin by T. H. L. Leary D.C.L. ; Geology and the iOcrescope by J. T. Young, F.G.S., and G. SouliS; Music b> John Curwen, Penmanship by J. K. Crane, and other articles by men of ability and scholarship. The work is iUustrated with numerous engravings of a superior dessription, and it thoroughly merits its somewhat , ambitious title. To teachers, scholars, and all persons who desire to make themselves intelligently acquainted with the outlines of science, history, geography, and other branches of uteful information,we can commend this work as an invaluable hand-book. It is excellent in conception, in execution, aad in cheapness. , Every Max His Own Mechanic— Professedly designed for the guidance of amateurs, this beok is really one which every intelligent mechanic should study. There is so much "m!e of thumb" work done now-a-daya by half-instructed tradesmen, that a text-book explaining scientifically the exact principles of mechanics, in a simple and intelligible way, might be designated "the want of the age." Specially is it the want of the colonial world. There are no fewer than 750 well-executed wood engravings illustrating the several subject* treated of, which embrace Carpentery and Joinery; Ornament*! and Constructional Carpentery and Joinery; a practical treatise on the Felling and Seasoning of Timber; Building, including Masonry, Plumbing, Gas-fitting, Painting, etc. The explanations even ot difficult technical work, are very lucid, and estimates of the cost of various kinds iof tools are inserted. The work is I thoroughly practical, and will doubtless Ibe studied with interest end profit by the i mechanic. io the country settler, who is thrown upon his own resources for work which he woald ordinarily employ a skilled mechanic to execute the hook will smooth away many a difficulty, and prove a very useful friend.

The Lettee-Writbr's Handbook and C 0 rrespoxiekt'sGuide is meant to do for the unskilled letter-writer what the last noticed book does for the mechanic. • The author his set out before him a number of topics on which correspondence ordinarily pas3e.«, and has framed a number of model letters, which, without being literally adhered to will greatly assist persona who are not in tbe habit of writing trequently. Lovers will probably still prefer to pour out their heart-breathings in their own gushing phraseology, bat the sections relating toinvitatieos, applications for employment, letters to eminent persona ages, etc., will be a good deal inn upon. The book is cheap and useful, and supplies a want in the equipment essential to social life.

Novels. -Messrs Ward, Lock, and Ccs novels, far doth, of the "Family Gift Series," are an immense advance in appearance and price on the old paper-covered novel, and the literature selected is also of a superior class. " Without a Heme," by E. P. Roe, has been one of the most popular of tbe recent issues. In the 2s edition, stout tinted paper, the designs of the cover, the printing and pager are all good, and cembine to make a very readable edition. The latest issue, " The Great Tontine," by Hawley Smart, has had a god run The Peoplk's Editions —Messrs Ward, Lock, and Co. were among the first publishere to go into tbe sixpenny edition?, which promise to work a revolution in publishing. They have already issued in this form, " Out of theHurly Burly," "Hood's Own," " Arabian Nights' Entertainment," with illustrations by Millaie, Tenniel, junr., "Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress," -with 100 engravings by Palziel, "Longfellow's Poetical Works," "uon Quixote," and " Elbow Room." How these books are got up of the quality—in type, paper, and illustrations—in which we have them presented to ns lor sixpence, is the medera mystery. Their sale, however, must be enormous, and when we consider that the purest and best products of English genius—the flewers of our literature-are thus brought into the homes ot thousands of people by whom they were before unattainable, we cannot but rejoice over the enterprise which has brought about this wondrons result.