OTHER PUBLICATIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1695, 24 August 1904, Page 18

OTHER PUBLICATIONS.

From Messrs R. Holliday and Co., Wellington, we have received a copy of Mr Winston Churchill’s new American novel (Macmillan and Co., London). A descriptive note states that the theme of this novel is largely the peaceful conquest of the great Louisiana territory by American settlers during the years that followed the Louisiana Purchase by Thomas Jefferson. The story portrays the immigration of Americans into the Louisiana territory, their settlement therein, and the gradual, sure way in which they brought the Empire sold by France under American rule, and implanted in it American social and political ideas. Also, Mr Churchill devotes himself somewhat to describing the life

of that early age in the States bordering on the east bank of the Mississippi, and the ideals and standards which actuated the people of those States, and to putting into the form of fiction the whole American spirit of the early years of the nation. This is the second novel in point of time in the series of novels dealing with American life which Mr Churchill is writing. "Richard Carvel/' which dealt with the Revolutionary War, was the first, and "The Crisis,” which dealt with the Civil War, was the fourth.

From Messrs Gordon and Gotch, 15 St. Bride street, London and Wellington, we have received a copy of "The Ragged Messenger,” by Mr W. B. Maxwell, author of "The Countess of Alaybury.” This author has given to his readers several brightly written novels. The motto of his latest is taken from an Eastern fable, "The people said to the King, there is a ragged messenger at the gate. Will you hear his message?” It is a powerful novel with a religious bearing, and its end is a striking tragedy. It is published by Mr Grant Richards.

Mr Grant Richards has just issued a work that has more than passing interest to literary people in this country. It is Samuel Butler’s "Essays on Life, Art and Science.” Mr Butler is the author of "Erewhon,” and was well-known in Canterbury. This work is eciited by Mr R. A. Streatfeild, and it is a pity so excellent a book does not appear in a better binding. Our copy comes to us through Messrs Gordon and Gotch.

Mi- John Bloundelle-Burton has written few things more interesting and entertaining than "A Dead Reckoning.” It is a society novel. The characters are well-drawn. Sir Geoffrey Bottrell is somewhat eccentric, but he is a type that is not infrequently met with. Maud, his daughter, is in love with Lieut. Claud W aynflete, R.N., heir presumptive to Viscount Bohun, when the story opens. A peerage, a Prime Minister and a mystery figure in a book that is very agreeable reading. It is issued by George Bell and Sons, and comes to us through Gordon and Gotch, 15 St. Bride street, London.

“A Consummate Scoundrel” (George Bell and Sons), is Air Guy Boothby’s latest. It well sustains that author’s style and reputation as a writer of sensational fiction. (Gordon and Gotch, Wellington).

Messrs Archibald Constable and Co., 1G James street, London, have just published "Napoleon’s British Visitors and Captives, 1801-1815/’ It is by J. Goldworth Alger, who has made France and its history his special study. We will take occasion to offer a special review of this work in an early issue of the "New Zealand Mail.”

Mr William Heinemann, London, has issued an excellent lot of stories by notable authors. Miss Margery Williams writes “Spendthrift Summer,” Mr Henry Dudeneyv "Spindle and Plough” and "The Story of Susan”; Mr W. A. Fraser, "Thoroughbreds,” a sporting novel; Alatilde Serao, "The Conquest of Rome,” and Mr Tlios. Nelson Page, "Gordon Keith.”

"A History of the Gunpowder Plot” is told by Air Philip Sidney, the author of "The Sidneys of Peaishurst,” with all the fascination of an historical romance. It is adequately illustrated, and is issued from the press of the Religious Tract Society, 4 Bouverie street, London.