REVIEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10216, 9 December 1893, Page 6

REVIEWS.

Limb and Libics of New Zeland, by Marie R, Randle. Dunedin : Janies Horslurgh. The U spiritual possibilities ” which Air J. A. Froude foresaw in the soil, scenery and climate of New Zealand, are not tarrying in, fulfilment. Scotland, which is famed as the land of minstrelsy, is said to have at present some fifteen hundred decent versifiers; but this Colony, with a fifth of the population, could probably turn out an'equal number of rhymesters, with a large proportion who could fairly be ranked aa possessing the gift of poesy. One of the latest evidences of the diffusion of the poatwr faculty in this young country is provided by tho volume now before us. Tho book has an unpretentious appearance, in accordance with its contents, which make no claim to brilliance. The printing and binding have been done in the Colony, to which the verses owe their inspiration, and in which the authoress has made her home. Some of the hundred odd pieces embraced in the volume must be familiar to readers, as they have all appeared over the nom de plume of "WycU Elm” in the columns of the Otago Witness. Essentially lyrical in tone and form, these poems yet reflect faithfully many phases of New Zealand life and scenery, and do it more effectively than could bo done in a long, descriptive work. Among human types we find the swagger, the miner, the rabbiter, the remittance man, the Maori and the pioneer settlor depicted with a sympathetic touch. Perhaps the authoress is at her best when transcribing impressions produced and reflections awakened by our natural scenery. For example, " The Hills,” a brief poem of four stanzas, closes with the following beautiful lines : Amid tlx* eternal hills I would not dwell, in solitude apart. For, spite of woe and strife, the human heart Clings to its kmd 5 but there are days and hours When sweeter than tho singing and the flowers. Or any gift the peopled vales bestow, Seems tho awed stillness of tho dazzling snow Upon th‘ eternal hills! Not often, however, is the authoress so serious as in the piece from which we have quoted. A'light humour and a lively fancy pervade moat of her writings, and in “The Thrush’s Nest” wo note a fine mingling of these qualities. A healthy, hopeful, cheerful philosophy is that which she teaches—a philosophy that seams to have its basis in a love for sunshine, flowers, birds and babbling brooks. The ▼eraification is always smooth, melodious and natural iu expression. “The Water Mill” is well-nigh perfect in its musical flow; and other pieces which are of special merit are “The Flax at Kevr,” " A Scrubbing Song,” "The Lark and the Lover,” and two in the Scottish dialect—" Herdin’ the Kye” and "A’ the Same.” As frontispiece there is a well-executed portrait of the authoress. The dedication—a tribute to the memory of “ the late lamented John Ballance” —is a chaste and feeling composition. There is also an appreciative introduction from the pen of the Hon W. P. Reeves. Aids to Experimental Science, by Andrew Gray. Christchurch : Simpson and Williams. This is a compendious little manual, specially designed for the use of teachers and #tudents preparing for the class D examination of the New Zealand Education Dspartment. The author shows a thorough acquaintance with his subject, and has arranged his matter so methodically and expressed himself so clearly, by means both of letterpress and illustrations, that the work of the student must be lightened and made pleasant. Those who wish au elementary scientific course could not do better than procure this cheap but valuable book.' A Lit op the Southern Cross, and other Poems. By the Very Rev Henry Jacobs, D.D., Dean of Christchurch. Skiffington and Son , London ; j and A. White, Christchurch, Saul among the prophets was probably a spectacle no more unexpected than our respected Dean among the poets. Those who may fear that the new conjunction portends „a descent into the free ethics and general Bobemianiem of poet folks we can at once completely reassure. Dr Jacobs’ Muse is of a highly respectable order—orthodox, decorous, and sober always. An ill-natured critic might, indeed, say that the Dean’s claim to the poetic gift rests on no more solid foundation than the first King of Israel’s claim to prophetic insight. That would be manifestly unfair, however. If elevating though not often fanciful ideas, clothed in chaste language and correctly versified, constitute poetry, then Dean Jacobs is a poet.i If he has any higher claim than this, it must not be sought in the formal paraphrastic lines of " A Lay of the Southern Cross ” (a sketch in Alexandrine verse of early mission history in New Zealand), but rather iu the " Sonnets of the Old Pilgrim Days.” One of these, celebrating the passing of the Constitution Act of New Zealand by the British Parliament, rises almost to pure poetic heights of insight, expression ,and prophecy. Comparing to a stream bursting all interceptiona the emancipation of " an infant Stats long trammelled by obstructive policy,” he adds —“ Behold it rise. Strong, active, self-reliant. May we see Who watch thy course with loving, anxious eyes, Thy promise ripen to maturity.' 1 That sonnet bears date Sept, 23, 1853, and it# publication forty years later happily coincide# with a time when New Zealand ia more strong, active, and self-reliant than she has been at any previous period. These earlier effusions indicate that Dean Jacobs might, under favourable conditions, have developed into a poet. So far as this little volume bears, the Dean’s poetic gift remained almost entirely dormant for a quarter of a century—from 1854 till 1879, by which time the ecclesiastic had obtained dominance over the poet. The later efforts of his muse are all of a religious, not to say “ churchy,” oast. They are very readable, highly interesting, and, as we have said, eminently'respectable, but they are not poetry. The " Jubilee Hymn ” and gome of the " Contributions towards a New Zealand Christian Year ” have much elevation of lone and grace of expression. The book, which ia artistically printed and bound, will doubtless be prized by many for its author’s sake rather than for its intrinsic merits.