N.Z. BIBLIOGRAPHER

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1933, Page 22

N.Z. BIBLIOGRAPHER

Mr. J. C. Anderson describes "A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas, Pore," by F. W. Reed, of Wliangarei, as "a most unusual work to have been produced in New Zealand and by-a New Zca'lander. "One would suppose," ho says, "that this list of the writings of the famous French romanticist should have been compiled in France by a Frenchman. Seeing, however, that one of the most complete collections extant of that eminent writer is owned by Mr. Reed, is housed at Whangarci from where it is finally to go to the. Auckland Public Library as a gift, it is in a way appropriate that this, the most complete bibliography of Dumas yet compiled, should have been compiled by Mr. Reed, of Wliangarei." It is a list of writings of every kind, including verse, drama, romance, history, travel, children''s story, journal, that have been attributed to Dumas, perc, and it includes details of the dates of publication of the various principal editions, in French and English, of every work, often with a resumo of tho story, a note of the collaborators, if any, and the strange adventiires and vicissitudes of dramatic pieces, firstly with the doom-crowned manager, secondly with the fickle-fancied /public. Mr, Andersen remarks that this bibliography is much more than a list of books, as it teems with much reading matter of interest. "An idea," he says, "begins to form of the amount of reading and research called for by every one of the multifarious and super-loquacious works of Dumas in order that this list might be produced—a guide to collectors and librarians, all exacting people, and pleased only witlrthe best. Dumas himself could have written a handful of romances . based .on this bibliography alone; Mr. Rood has almost made the bibliography itself a romance; it is clear to see that restraint has been difficult; and his. numerous indulgences in recording humorous and romantic facts have^made the bibliography eminently readable/ "The bibliography is not without its references to Nievr Zealand. In 'Dramas of the Sea,"' two volumes, 1852, 'Captain Marion,'jthe second drama of the four included,- is a graphic description, from tho French point of view, of the tragic death of Marion dv Fresne at the Bay .of Islands in 1772. This description is founded ,6n Crozet's narrative. In 'The Whalers,' 1858, Dumas edits and amplifies the journal of Dr. Maynard, a surgeon on one of the French whalers fishing at Banks Peninsula in the forties. 'This contains excellent descriptions of the fishing, and of the natural kistory of parts of Banks Peninsula and the plains adjoining. "When the Auckland Public Library receives, the great' collection from: Mr. Reed, which includes manuscripts of poems arid whole plays, besides original and choice editions of the greater number of the works of Dumas, it will likewise hive a key to the collection in this excellent bibliography. While reading it I was continually reminded of the bibliographies issued by that great English collector, Thomas J. Wise; the second volume of his Byron bibliography; was published this year; and whilst it is a production purely for bookmen, the' above remarks will show that the bookmen gather much joy from their, text-books. Mr. Reed is to be congratulated on adding this fine volume to theiir number, and New Zealand on having as citizen such an enthusiast as Mr. Reed, collector-and bibliographer.?'