BRIEF MENTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19844, 17 July 1926, Page 4

BRIEF MENTION.

I.—A BOTANIST’S NOTE BOOK. Hnder the title of “Plant Life in Alaoriland,” Miss Marguerite Crooks, M.A., of Auckland, has reprinted in book form a scries of articles originally contributed to tho Auckland Star and the Lvttelton Times, articles which aim at "dealing with some of the most striking and interesting aspects of New Zealand plant life from a purely popular point of ’ iew.” The range taken is a wide one. Miss Crooks has a pleasant style of writing, and she utilises tho varied material at liand to the best advantage. The term plants is used in the broadest sense, embracing the giant kauri and tbc perching knhakr.hn and Kowhnrawhara: the great fern family, the lanccwood. the Kaupeka. the puriri, the clcmatic, the < oprosnios, the dactylanthus. the tree daisies, the nikau palm, the rata, and the mangrove. Chapters are devoted to the grasses which flourish on the sand dunes, and to the flowers of the sea, nor is the useful flax forgotten. Miss Crooks is not only a competent botanist and an ardent nature lover; she is steeped in Maori loro, and those gifts and qualities are displayed to the full in those clover and attractive sketches. The book is usefully illustrated (Whitcombc and Tombs, (is). If.—HOW TO THINK. A book first published as long ago ns 180!) is apt to get out of date, but Air T. Sharper Kuowlson has revised and added to the original edition of "The Art ol Thinking” until in its fifty-second volume, it reads like a present-day work. This is especially noticeable in the new chapter on “Some Defects of Present Day Thinking.” and in the additional chapter on "The Commercial Value of Trained Intelligence.” In the preface to the original edition the author quotes a distinguished statesman as saying, in the course of an address on education: “What you want to develop in your race is the art of thinking, and 'thinking is an art winch stands a good chance of perishing from amongst us altogether.” Air Knowlson makes tho further allegation that while people read more they think less, and it is with the idea of provoking independent thought that he has reissued liif? little book. T he point stressed throughout is the importance of a man thinking nis owthoughts rather than adopting the thoughts of others. “ Lot him have a little sphere in which he makes his own unaided researches, relying entirely on personal effort. lie may find it difficult at first, but time will bring confidence and courage.” (T. Weiner Laurie, 2s Cd net.) I If.—JANE AUSTEN. The revival of interest in Jane Austen and her work lias been perceptibly stimulated by tlie recent publication of her Letters, in an edition selected from Lord Brabournc's volumes and introduced by Air R. Brimley Johnson. That interest has extended to the issue of a little booklet containing “Two Chapters of ‘Persuasion,’” printed from Jane Austen's autograph. The preface to this curious little book explains its purpose: Of the novels published bv Aliss Austen no manuscript seems to have survived, ami of “Northangcr Abbey” and “Pcrsuasiin,” which wore posthumously published in 'SIS. nothing survives except two chapters beiong'ng to the last volume. The reason for their survival is plain. They wore intended as the two concluding chapters of "Persuasion.” ami numbered I and : but Aliss Austen, as is well known, was dissatisfied. She cancelled the greater part of chapter 10, and substitj.cu two new chapters, 10 and 11. The final chapter was retained (and became chapter 12): but the surviving manuscript s not virtually identical with tlie chapter as printed. . . . Both chanters arc here printed as Aliss .'.listen left them when she laid aside this manuscript. Hie book I. as a special interest for all students of Jane Austen’s work, and the interest is increased by the copious "Notes” appended, aud which direct attention to "ell corrections and erasures which the editor has been aide to decipher” aud to all tbo verbal variations between I liemanuscript and the editions of 1818 aud IS7I (Oxford: At the Clarendon Press, 5s net. Also on hand-made paper, 21s net). IV.—SPEAKING AND WRITING. In so far as effective speaking and correct writing can he learned from a manual, Dr John Darlington’s "Effective Speaking and Writing” is eminently suited to itr, purpose, and the issue of a second edition at a popular pries should reach a wider audience. The hook consists of an epitome of Dr George Campbell’s “Philosophy of Rhetoric,” a, book originally published iu

1776, but little known and seldom studied bv the present generation of readers (11. R. Allenson, 3s 6d net). V— ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI. St. Francis of Assisi died in 1220, and the celebration this year of the seven hundredth niversary of his death has called forth a large number of books dealing with his life and work, .some Irom the Catholic and others from a Protestant standpoint. 'The latter is the aspect from which Dr J. O. Dobson. 8.A., approaches the subject in a manual called ‘‘The Little Poor Man of Assisi.” in which the life and significance of St. Francis are considered. The author points out that St. Francis has a deep significance for our own age. “His message to the men of his own time has a startling at so many points to the life ci this country that we cannot ignore him, and therefore all kinds of people are turning back to the thirteenth century prophet.” Mr Dobson regards St. Francis as an arresting example of a man who has tried to realise the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. "Few have more completely exemplified the characteristic attitude of true religion, that willingness to fling away everything, even life itself, for the sake of a reality other than oneself. So the insistent challenge of the Little Poor Man cannot be denied. That summons to poverty and humility, to simplicity and .selfishness, haunts ns and makes ns unquiet. For might it not he, after all that in the way of St. Francis, or some following of his spirit, this vexed and troubled generation would find its peace” (Student Christion Movement, 2s Gil net and os (Id net). I