BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10972, 28 January 1899, Page 6 (Supplement)

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

The Story of Religions: By the Rev. E. D. Price, F.G.6. George Newnes, Limited, Southampton-street, Strand, London.The writer states, in his preface, that his aim has been to indicate the leading principles which underlie the great religions of the world; to show how these belief* have arisen, and how they have developed in the history of mankind. The various forms of ritual and worship associated with each cult are sketched out, and an attempt is made to show the influence which each particular form of faith has exercised upon the national and private life of its adherents. The history of Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Confucianism, Shintoism, Mohammedanism,

and Judaism, etc., are succinctly given, as well as the various branches of the Christian religion.

The Secret of Good Health and Long Life: Bv Dr. Havdn Brown, Edinburgh, .las. Bowden, 10, Henrietta-street, Covent Gardeu, W.C.— After some introductory remarks, the writer deals with the questions, what length of a life is, what determines the length of life, and then gives some instances of false balance at certain ages, from birth to old age. The successive chapters, which are carefully written, are on food, drik, atmosphere, smoking, exercise, care of the bodv, clothing, occupation and diversion, rest "and regularity, etc. On all these subjects much valuable advice and counsel is given to the reader which cannot fail to be of service to him in after life.

Christian* Science, an ExrosrßF. : By Annie Harewood. Jas. Bowden, 10, Hen-rietta-street, Covent Garden, London, W.C. —The volume comprises a series of articles which appeared in the British Weekly. The papers attracted a good deal of attention both in Great Britain and America, which led to their separate publication. The writer gives a personal narrative of her experiences with the teachers of so-called Christian Science. She describes the strange claims made in its name, and then discusses the question " Is Christian Science an Imposture '!" She then explains her fancied cure and relapse, and finally her personal disappointment with the whole system, which has recently in England attained unpleasant prominence through some court cases.

World Politics: By "T." I*. F. Fenno and Co., 16th-street, New York.— writer discusses the world's outlook, and searches for the causes of that outlook, which he regards as unsatisfactory and unpromising. The second part of the work is devoted to general considerations as to what is sound policy, the nature and relations of a State, the laws of life, the principles of national conduct, and the lessons of the centuries, which is the recognition of international duties. Another section of the work is devoted to particular considerations regarding a test of progress, the evolution of State Law, and of International Law. The writer suggests an International Court of Appeal, and discusses the objections to the project. Appended are a series of valuable notes.

Mr Horse, Mt Love: By Sara Buck-man-Linard. T. Fisher Unwin, London — The first part of the work deals with facilities for breeding in America, famous Arabian horses, pedigree and types of Arabian horses, Arabian horses in England, English and Russian horses, and the American horse. In the second part the writer deals with the early history of horse cultivation in England, and of the various Derby winners. A mass of information is given about race horses. The work is enriched by a number of illustrations of famous horses.

Harwell's Annual for 1899; We have to acknowledge receipt of the above work, which is a cyclopedic record of Men and Topics of the' Day. This publication is in its fourteenth year of issue. The annual should be more than ordinarily useful during the coming year. Take foreign attains, for instance. There is a full and careful record of the events during the past year m China, where coigns of vantage and railway concessions have been scrambled for, in the Nile Valley, Egypt, in Crete, Cuba, and the Phillipines; in Austro-Hungary, France, and Russia. Take again colonial affairs. Among the subjects dealt with are the position of Australian Federation, African affairs, the problems awaiting solution in India, the sugar question and the West. Indies, the tariff legislation in Canada. Many of the articles on British dependencies, revised in many cases by the colonial authorities themselves, will form a record of the greatest possible utility for reference. There are also new maps of China, showing the new positions seized by Germany, Great Britain, and Russia, and tracing the new railways for which concessions have been granted, and their connections with Siberia, French Indo-China, and Burma; of the Nile Valley, illustrating the late Egyptian campaign, and the relative positions of France, Great Britain, and Abyssinia and of the West African settlement with France. The map of the Transvaal and the surrounding colonies is retained. A very full account is given of Home affairs, and of the movement for transforming London vestries into municipal boroughs There are articles on Old Age Pensions, the Ritualistic agitation, the Irish Local Government Act, and all the other legislation accomplished during the session. A number of new articles and biographies have been specially written for this edition. Among the former are papers on " The AngloAmerican League," and "Arctic and Antarctic Exploration."

Education Law in New Zealand : By Wm. Joliffe, solicitors. Whitcombe and Tombs, Limited, Christohurch.—The author says in his introduction, "It is more than doubtful whether increased efficiency is secure by the system adopted in New Zealand, while it certainly entails increased expenditure with its threefold administration— by department, board and committees. If educational matters were managed solely by the department, it is more than probable that teachers would carry out their duties equally as well as if under the supervision of the local committee.". It is, however, no part of the object of this book to criticise a system of education, but rather to state clearly and concisely the law on the subject. The author then deals with the education districts, the Boards, board fund, and reserves. Another section is devoted to the school commissioners., their appointments and dealings with reserves. Another chapter treats the school committees, school districts, election of committees and their functions. A section is allocated to the management of schools. Further sections are devoted to manual and technical instruction, incorporation of school teachers, and teachers' Court of Appeal, and inspection and standards.

Who's Who ?: Adam and Charles Black, Soho Square, London.We have to acknowledge receipt of this annual biographical dictionary, the present edition being for lbMs. This useful work lias now been Bhlarged to a work of over 1000 pages. It contains a complete peerage, baronetage, and knightage, and over 8000 biographies, mostly autobiographies of the leading men and women of the day, There arr over 1503 new biographic in the present edition, among them a good many hundred biographies of Americans. Among the following new tables are . —Principa (*»• vernment officials In Great Britain, tat, chief American newspapers, with then edi tors and London correspondents: principal British and American railway*, with their officers; British general* and admiraL holding chief commands; American ladie:. bearing English titles; and a max of useful information on all sorts of subjects.

A Romance of Canvas- Tn**, *itf> ■Worn. Storks: By Rolf Boldrewood. Macroillan and Co., Limited, London. We have to acknowledge the receipt from the author m the above work. The first of the stories V one of the early days of Melbourne "The Fencing of Waudarnoua: A Riverine R<v ininiscence," is a tale of the vicissitudes of pastoral life. " The Governess of the Poets ' is an entertaining romance. "The Now Cook; A Tale of the Times," is very humorously told, and keeps the reader in a simmer of merriment throughout. " 4ngels Up.' awares " is an equally readable story. At* a raconteur Rolf •loldrewoV '" simplj delightful.

S.P.C.R. LiTEBATUBi.— have to acknowledge receipt of a number ot works from the Society for th' Promotion of

Christian Knowledge, Northumberland Avenue, during Cross, London, W.C., namely, "The Silver Salvors," by Geo. Manville Fenn. a story of treasure found and lost; "In His Service," by S.L.H.G.H.; "A Bad Little Girl and Her Good Little Brother," by Mrs. Edith E. Cuthell, pictures of child life for young girls; "Die Bell in the Forest," by Beatrice Radford, a storv for children; "Nellie and Her Models," by. G. B. Gwynne. D.D.. a tale for elder girls, deprecating selfishness and want of sympathy; "Helen's Probation, bv A.E.D., a story for girls; "Own Mother," by the Rev. W. J. Bettison, M.A.! "The Theft of the Princes," by F. Bayford Harrison, a true story retold; "Otterburn Chase." bv C. N. Carvallio, a tale of duty fulfilled; " Uncle Isaac's Money." by Emily Pearson Finnemore. a tale of village life; "From Hand to Hand, the Story of a Hvmn Book," a tale showing how the bvmn book influenced the various persons into whose hands it came; " Cottage Cookery," bv Man' Henry Sterling; " The Dogs at Number twelve." by Catherine Mtuy MacSorley. is a story of how the dog was lost and found, and what came of it; "Ralph Rodney's Mother,'' bv H. Louisa Bedford; "Mar and Lettice," by Hester White, a tale of good King George; " The Victory that Overcometh," by Annie L. Gee, a touching narrative of the Early Christian Martyrs: and "Rou?li Cast," by Christabel Coleridge.

Fights for THE Flag : By W. B. Fitchett. George Bell and Sons, London.— The volume coutains a series of heart-stir-ring sketches of military and naval exploits in the history of the British Empire. They appeared in the Australian Review of Reviews, and are published in book form. Mr. Fitchett has done justice to bis theme, and the stories are as thrilling and attractive as a tale of fiction. Tho series commences with " Blake and the Dutchman," and closes with "The Lady with the Lamp," Miss Nightingale. They include. " Sii John Moore at Corunna," "Wellington at Salamanca,'' "Codrington at Navarino," " Inkerlnann." "Famous Cavalry Charges," and "The Men hi the Ranks." It will be seen that there is wide scope for Mr. Fitchett's pen, and he has acquitted himself admirably. The work is enriched will numerous historical portraits,

Tiiroit.ii Battle to Promotion : By Walter Wood. Jas. Bowdon, 10. Henriettastreet, Covent Garden, London, W.C—The story is illustrative of the late Indian frontier wain, and contains the inevitable love story. Two young English officers, regretting the piping times of peace and hick of promotion, suddenly find themselves ordered to India on the outbreak of the frontier troubles, and ,find death or glory in the actions with the Hill tribes.

Pictures OF War : By Stephen Crane. Wm. Heinemiinn, London. —The volume contains a series of pictures of war, as seen in the great Civil War of the United States. The story shows how men who came from the ranks of Peace, after training and discipline, became lie veterans of the later campaigns of the war. The writer shows great descriptive power, and the vignettes of some of the warriors of the camps are remarkably well sketched. Some of the "Pictures of War' are terribly realistic.