LITERARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 16, 19 January 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

LITERARY.

One of the most recent additions to wholesome literature for our youths is a penny weekly bearing the felicitous title, "Boys of the Empire." It contains a vast amount of interesting reading- for boys. The attempt to obtain contributions that will interest those having their home in. the remotest corners of the Empire is commendable.

In the "National Review" for December will be found two articles of more than average interest to colonials. In the first place there is an excellent criticism of the trials and faults of the colonial governor system as it is now found in Australasia. The cheapening" of the services of vice-royalty by its presence at the most absurdly insignificant functions, and by indiscriminate entertaining, are dwelt on. The writer in speaking of the financial aspect rightly says: "A bad habit has prevailed through the last fifteen years or so that Australian Governors should spend a great deal more (ban their official salaries. The effects of this bad habit are, first that the choice of Her Majesty's Government is limited by the supposed financial burdens and necessities of the position to the damage of our public service, and to the exclusion in many cases of the best men; and, secondly, the habit ot lavish expenditure is most prejudicial to the office of a governor, as well as to the society and social life of the colony over which he may preside." The second article to which we referred is that by the Hon. W. **• Reeves on "Colonial Governments as Money Lenders." .Mr Reeves' account of the manner in which settlers are financially assisted in various parts of Australasia is both lucid and interesting. Other readable contributions to the December "National" are: '"Some Personal Impressions of the Army," by Capt. A. G. Boscawen, M.P.; "Is Emerson a Poet?" by Coulson Kernahan; and "A Comparison of German and English School Children," by Miss Catherine Dodd. The review of the affairs of the month, both at Home and abroad, is always well balanced and admirable. ' »

AYe acknowledge the second number of the "Xaverian," the annual publication of the pupils of St. Francis Xavier's College, Kew, Melbourne. The youthful editors have g-o-t much that is readable and interesting into the magazine, and with, the assistance of some capital blocks and good printing have turned out a publication which is creditable indeed. The encouragement of college periodicals of the stamp of the "Xaverian" is desirable on various grounds; and when the issue is but once a year, no undue amount of work is entailed.

Au exceedingly handy little work of reference relating- to the House of Commons has been issued by Macmillan and Co., and reaches us through Messrs Upton and Co. It is a reprint from the "Times" of the result of the elections of October last, The information is exceedingly well arranged, comparison is made with the previous election, and a brief biographical note of each member is given.

Messrs MacMillan have added to their Golden Treasury Series "Miscellanies " from the writings of Edward Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's unencumbered graceful style and beauty of thought have found many admirers, and in this little volume much of the best he was responsible for will be found gathered. The most widely known of the fragments which go to make up the book are the "Memoir of Bernard Barton," and " Ephranor." Messrs Upton and Co. forward us a copy.

Chamber's Journal for December— the Christmas number—is practically a double issue* for besides the usual concise articles and fiction, there are half-a-dozen excellent short stories. The magazine is one of the most entertaining1 of unillustrated periodicals. It is very evident that the "Review of Reviews" feels the eccentric views of its founder. Rev. T. S. Fitchett, editor of the -Australian issue, forwards a circular letter to the colonel press as follows:—"One of your recent London telegrams reports that 'Mr W. T. Stead, pro-Boer Editor of the ".Review of Reviews,'" has said some strong things about tlie general wickedness of the British policy in South Africa. This will probably convey to many of your readers the idea that the '.Review of Reviews for Australasia' is to be credited—or discredited—with all the opinions held by Mr AY. T. Stead. Will you, as a matter of courtesy, allow me_ to plain that the 'Review of Reviews for Australasia' is distinct both in ownership and editorship from the English readers in these colonies know, its 'Review of Reviews"; and, as its many tone on the South African War has been steadfastly loyal and Imperialistic."

Of the many stories just now in circulation in ridicule of War Office "redtape," the most amusing' are not always the most probable. For instance, the following anecdote seems to require authentication. An officer, it is said, was at "home on three months' leave. He applied for his month's pay, sending- the usual "life certificate," and duly received the amount. He neglected to apply for his second month* pay until the expiration of his leave, when he asked for two months' together, sending one life certificate bearing the date of application. . According to the story the Department handed over the pay for the third month, but declined to pay the second, on the ground that there was no evidence oi the officer being then alive.

Mr Hughes, a New Yorker famous for bis practical joking, has put the judges of a horse show in a ridiculous light. Under an assumed name he entered a horse in the saddle class, and at the trials his daughter rode the animal round the ring. The horse and another were finally selected as the most worthy of tiie class, but in the final trial the other animal was awarded, the blue ribbon. When Mr Hughes learned his horse had just missed carrying off the prize, he soberly announced that his entry was a cast-off tramcar horse. The judges are now busy explaining how they were fooled. Mr Hughes two years ago entered a stray torn cat in the Oriental female class of the Cat Show, and a special prize was awarded him by the judges.