NEWS AND NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 4 (Supplement)

NEWS AND NOTES.

Blackie's pictoral Christmas publications for children include in addition to the excellent "Blackie Popular Christmas Rhymes, " "My Book of Doggies," "Little Jack Sprat," "A Cat Alphabet," , "The Flying House," "Sea Foam," and "Old Testament Stories," all worthy of the publisher. Among Messrs Blackie and Son's Christmas, publications,' all excellently bound, illustrated and painted, are; " Heroes of European Nations" and " Sergeant Silk, the Prairie Scout," for boys; "The Leader of the Lower School," "The Adventurous Ewen," and "A Girl of Galway," for girls; "Just Forty Winks" and "Teddy's Adventures," for small children. ' "Pictures Tales for Village Children" and "Hansel and Gretel," are large illustrated folios for little boys and girls. Older boys will find plcasu'reable reading in "The Wonders of Wireless Telegraphy." Young and old, who are able to appreciate an excellent work, may study with advantage the illustrated "Latest Light on Bible Lands," by P. S. P. Handcock, M.A., lecturer of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Among S. P. C. K. publications for the approaching Christmas season are; "The Palace Footboy," "Leo Louistida, Gentleman Adventurer," and "Gentleman Jack, an Adventurer in East Africa," illustrated and well-bound.stories for boys; "A Brave Endeavour, in the Proving of Ysolt," an illustrated and well-bound storv for girls; with "Nobby," "Betty and Priscilla,' ( and "The Strange Story of Kittiwake's Castle," similarly attractive volumes for the little ones. Among noteworthy Christmas publications are "A Knight of the White Cross," by G. A. Ilentv and "Through Veldt andforest, by Harry Collingwood (Blackie, London); also "The Great Antarctic," by John Mackie All are excellent examples of the gift books for which there is at this season such an enormous demand. "Some Sporting Dogs," by Frank Townsend Barton, with fifine plates depicting the various' breeds by G. Vernon Stokes (Jerrold, Londono) is one of the most.attractive and interesting books published to popularise kuowledgo on this essentially "sporting" subject.

"A Vision of Reconcilement and other poems," by E. McQueen Gray, is announced by Messrs Mcthuen for publication. This book contains a selection from verse that has appeared in American newsj papers and magazines since the publication of Mr. Gray's previous volume "Alamo." The title poem deals with the relations be'tween the two great Anglo-Saxon nations, Great Britain and America. Messrs Methuen are publishing in two volumes, a work entitled "A Naturalist in Western China" by Ernest H. Wilson, V.M.H. In horticulture and botany the author's name is a household word throughout both hemispheres, and this work is a summary of his observations and the information gained during eleven years travel in this remote and little-known land. Volume IV. of Mr. C. G. Harper's "Autocar.. Road Book" will he published by Messrs Mcthuen. This volume takes the traveller through the North of England up to the South of Scotland, ending at Glasgow and at Edinburgh. Special attention has been given in the Scottish portion to; the literary landmarks of the Scotland Burns countries .