Reviewer.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 524, 18 February 1882, Page 7

Reviewer.

“The Melbourne Review” (published quarterly). Geo. Robertson, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane. (Wellington agents : Lyon and Blair.) The number for January is before us, and bears evidence of good intentions for the current year. The articles are as varied in style as in subjects, and each one readable and interesting. Mr H. G. Turner gives a thoughtful biography of Marcus Clarke, the talented but ill-fated litterateur whose memory all Australia has learned to honor. Though the brief chronicle of his life is Bummed up in the concluding words of his biographist, “ He was as prodigal of his intellect as of its more prosaic results, and fell by the wayside in the harness which he donned in hope and pride, but which, ere the end came, galled him sorely. ” The Hon. Robert Stout contributes n vigorously-written sketch of the colouial career of Moses Wilson Gray, the gentle, high-soultd scholar, barrister, judge, whom all men revered, and whose virtues will long live in the memories of the people. “A Camp in the Mountains, *' by Alexander Sutherland, M.A., gives promise in its opening paragraphs of bright and breezy descriptive writing, but it is made the vehicle for a melange of conversational opinions on creeds, orthodoxy and politics. Mr R. Murray Smith, an essayist whose articles all give out a ring of sterling tone, contributes an article on “ A Financial Genius : John Law,’ in which he depicts the prominent incidents in the career of one who has helped to make history, though dupiDg himself and the multitude with him by one of the most stupendous fallacies of modern times. Mrs Martha Webster gives a readable paper on “ The Influence of Dean Stanley on Religious Thought,” in which she endeavors, and not unsuccessfully, to show that the late Deau’s influence was ** a ministry of reconciliation ” of differing churches and opposing beliefs. Amicalis gives a fifth paper upon “ The Development of Religion in "Europe,” in which, comparing the religion of Rome with the religion of the Jews, he traces to a common origin many rites apparently similar and equally illcalculated to serve any useful end The Rev. J. Lambie selects Goethe’s " Fanst” as his theme, and which he deals with in a dreamy, speculative fashion not ill befitting the subject. “The Library Table ” passes, in brief review, some among the latest books and pamphlets, notably “ Representative Government in England ; its Faults and Failures,” by David Syme ; and “ Proposals of a New System of Bankrupty and Insolvency Law,” by A. De Lissa, Attorney-at-Law, Sydney, “ The Victorian Year Book for 1880-81.” By Henry Heylyn Hayter, Victorian Government Statist.

We have received a copy from the compiler. It is üblished by authority, and is a very important compilation, extending over no fewer than 520 pages, including besides a carefully-de-lineated map of Victoria, and two very elaborate and complete statistical tables. It differs from the ordinary colonial year books, in that it travels beyond the limits of the colony it is nominally identified with, and furnishes valuable information respecting all the countries in the world, resembling in this respect “ The Statesman’s Year Book.” Its especial feature is that it gives a comparative view of the several Australasian Colonies in respect of population, interchange, finance, accumulation, production, vital statistics, law, crime, and moral, intellectual, and religious progress. There are also several important appendices, showing the educational systems of all these colonies, as also their respective tariffs. We have in some instances carefully examined the relative positions which in these matters are assigned to these colonies, and having tested the same, in so far as they concern the colony of New Zealand, by statistical information at our command, have found them generally correct. Absolute accuracy in respect of statistics we can hardly expect, and the compiler of this book shows himself familiar with those disturbing elements which render such accuracy impossible. Yet, as a rule, the figures and general information here presented in such careful order may be accepted as reliable. We congratulate the Victorian statist on the successful performance of his work, and must also compliment his Government on their liberality in enabling him to publish a “Year Book” which would do credit to any country in the world, and is calculated to render important services to the whole of Australasia.

“The Ferns, and Fern Allies of New Zealand.” By G. M. Thomson. (Wise, Cafßn and Co., 108 Princes-street, Dunedin). Mr Thomson has compiled a volume of 132 pages which should find a place in the library of all naturalists and other persons who take an interest in ferns. The author treats his subject in a manner which proves that he is master of it, without wrapping his sentences in strings of scientific sentences which would cause confusion in the mind of the amateur and student. The work is prefaced by two most instructive chapters on the structure of ferns, with their nomenclature and principles of classification, and illustrated by five plates, showing the details of fronds and the methods of fruitifioation. These illustrations are so Deatly executed. that the merest tyro should recognise the different species by them. The necessity for such a work has long been felt, as many new species have been added to the flora of New Zealand since the publication of Hooker’s Handbook, while the many unavoidable changes in nomenclature have also necessitated a thorough revision of the work. The work before us appears to meet all requirements with regard to ferns and their allies.

“Representative Government in England.” By David Syme. (Messrs Kegau, Paul, Trench and Go., London.) Messrs Lyon and Blair, of this city, have forwarded to us a copy of this treatise. The work, consisting of 220 pages, is beautifully printed, and, though occupied with what is regarded by many as an uninteresting subject, may be read with all the interest which peop e commonly feel in perusing a romance. Mr Syme writes in a clear, attractive, and trenchant style. His history of Parliamentary development and procedure, as also his criticism of its faults and failures, will be found replete with interest for all whose thoughts are occupied with such matters, and who desire to have correct and intelligent views regarding them. After giving a brief sketch of the early

National Assemblies of England, he points out successively how Parliaments began to be held annually in 1295, triennially in 1694, and septennially in 1716. In order to avoid the disadvantages, and to secure the advantages, of these various systems, Mr Syme recommends that, since in modern times the dominating influence of government is not that of the Grown but that, of the Premier, the nomination of the Ministry should, in all instances, be made by Parliament, and that each Minister should be directly responsible to the House. Along with this change it is suggested that the majority of the electors of any constituency should have authority to change their representative without waiting for a general election. The first of these alterations in the existing system would, in Mr Syme’s view, secure an effective control lover every department of administration, while it would also destroy party combinations for the sake of office, and terminate the existence of Government by Cabinet. The second would make the House of Commons as truely representative of current public opinion as were the early Parliaments of England, when they lasted only one short session. We very cordially advise all persons interested in the subject of Representative Government to possess themselves of a copy of this short but comprehensive treatise.