NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9118, 28 July 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

The Westminster Review for June brings its readers well up to time from its own standpoint. The first article, entitled " The Claims of the Parish," is a discussion of the political position with regard to the new Local Government Bill.."Montaigne" is an entertaining article on one of the most entertaining of writers, one who keeps his ground in a wonderful way from century to century. The next article, on "The Papal Rescript," treats the subject as likely to have serious issues. We quote a short passage —

In the first place, the Pope runs the imminent risk of losing the Irish from his fold. Stung by the tauntings of superior peoples, that they have hitherto been a race made impracticable for the business of life by their fear-inspiring superstitions, and crippled in the march of nations by their tame and blind subserviency to autocratic spiritual rule, the Irish appear to be ready and eager to show to the world that they now feel upon them the dawning light of their reason's freedom, and are prepared to walk by its guiding. Many think that this would be the least of the many misfortunes that have burdened their gloomy history—nay, that it would be the ending and the mending of their ages of ill. In torrid climes, when great rivers overflow their boundaries, they seem at first to carry nothing but widespread waste and desolation; but from their vagrant floods is deposited a wealth of moisture upon the cracked and arid bosom of the soil, which, on their subsiding, leaves behind the quickening of a fresh life and the promise of luxuriant growth. So it has been with the nations that have known the first desolation of the changing channels of their intellectual life. So it may be with unhappy Ireland, and with its evil fortunes, spiritual and material. Then the Pope may wish, when too late, that his rescript had never left the archives of the Vatican. The Irish question is, indeed, largely discussed in the present number, as, besides the above-mentioned article, we have one on " The Irish in America" and another on "Ireland." The latter is by Mr. T. W. Russell, M.P., and is placed in the "Independent Section," where the editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed. The writer is strong against the Home Rule party and all that it seeks to do. The most instructive and novel articles in the number are The Yellow River" and on "France and Boulangism." The former describes the late inundation of the gigantic stream, the Hwang-ho. The loss of life was so great as to make the inundation one of the vast calamities of mankind. Speaking on this point,'the Pekin correspondent of the Times said :—" Hazarding a conjecture, I should say it cannot be less than one million, and is probably not so high as two." Another European in Pekin, in close relation with the Chinese Government, has put the number drowned at seven millions ! The article gives a clear and interesting account of how these inundations arise, and of the measures adopted by the Chinese Government to control the river. "France and Boulangism" discusses how the General has come to occupy his present position and his capabilities for maintaining a leading part in France. The English Illustrated Magazine (June) continues in its first article the interesting sketches of old English Homes, the one dealt with in the present instance being " Eridge Castle," belonging to Lord Abergavenny, and the ancestral home of the Nevills, to which family belonged the celebrated Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker, and many other prominent men in English history. Portraits were given of Queen Elizabeth and of " the Last of the Barons," from paintings in Eridge Castle. " Pagodas, Atiriollas, and Umbrellas," is devoted to the art of China, Japan, and Burmah, and is finely illustrated. The article on " Coaching Days and Coaching Ways" describee the York road, which gives occasion for recalling many incidents of old English history. Chambers' Journal (June) shows the usual varied and interesting contents.

Chaucer (English Men of Letters series). By Professor A. Ward. The chapters into which the book is divided are as follows :— Chaucer's Times; Chaucer's Life and Works; Characteristics of Chaucer and his Poetry ; Epilogue ; Glossary. Much information is given respecting the condition of England at the time when Chaucer lived, and the estimate formed of his poetry is by no means exaggerated.