PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21627, 23 April 1932, Page 4

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

What is probably ono of the last articles from the pen of the Rev. Dr Rutherford Waddell serves to introduce, with that literary grace and sincerity which never deserted him, a booklet entitled “ Facing Vital Issues” (Ist net), which, edited by Dr Salmond and Mr Alexander Salmond, has been published for the Youth Committee of the Council of Religious Education by the Presbyterian Bookroom, Christchurch. The booklet is a studybook for young people, its aim being to stimulate purposeful thinking on the ini-, plications of Christianity in the complicated world of to-day. The contributors include the Revs. A. C. Watson, D. C. Herron, M. A. Rugby Pratt, Percy Paris, L. M. Rogers. W. G. Moncton, and others. , The April number of the Homo, the monthly magazine issued from the Art in Australia office, pays considerable attention to the festivities connected with the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In time this subject may grow a little tiresome to others than Sydney folk, but the Home’s illustrations are, as usual, of such a high order that they serve to revive our enthusiasm in the giant structure. The other features of the journal are up to the standard readers have learned to expect. We have to acknowledge with pleasure receipt of the seventh edition of the Oxford University Press “General Catalogue.” In the twelve years of its existence the catalogue has proved of great interest and value to readers throughout the world. It is a full guide to the general and the learned publications of the famous Press. It contains numerous indices (from Mr Humphrey Milford, publisher to the University).

Tile most incisive critic of the Premier of Now South Wales is the Bulletin, and because this criticism is phrased in the manner typical of the Bulletin, the leading articles of that weekly make, entertaining and instructive reading these days. The mordant humour of the Bulletin cartoonists ably supports this campaign against the Labour Premier. An interesting Australian publication is To-day, a fortnightly news nlagaziu'e, incorporating Stead’s. Its- purpose is to treat in a non-technical but authoritative manner politics, economics, and 1 foreign intelligence; and it may be said to be a combination of a newspaper and a review.

Australian War Book Messrs Angus and Kobertson announce for early publication an Australian war book, “ The Desert Column,” by lon Idriess, who served at Gallipoli and later in the Desert Mounted Corps in the Canal zone, and with Allenby at Palestine. General Sir Harry Cbauvol, commander of the corps, has written of “The Desert Column:-—‘‘Not only is it a narrative of personal adventure full of interest, but it is, as far as I am aware, the only ‘ soldier’s ’ book yet written on the campaign in Sinai and Palestine. It is of absorbing interest to a leader and should be to the general public. There is an accuracy in the descriptions of operations which could oiily be provided by a singularly observant man. No doubt his early training in the wide spaces of the Australian bush had developed to an extraordinary, degree his individuality, self-reliance, and power of observation, and the particularly mobile style of fighting he was called upon to take part in suited him and brought out bis special qualities far more than any trench, warfare would have done.”

Important Burns MSS The sale of three important Burns manuscripts is to take place at Sotheby’s rooms, states an English exchange, one of the items being apparently unpublished. They are the property of tlie late Mrs Agnes Harriott Dunlop, who acquired them by inheritance. The first is the autograph manuscript of Burns’s famous song, “ O my love is like the red red rose,” differing in one word from the manuscript of the same song sold at Sotheby’s in 1927 for £2OOO. In the seventh line the word “can” is substituted for “will.” According to a letter sold with the lot, this poem was found about 50 years ago among the papers of Mr Douglas Hamilton _ Craik; of Arbi gland, together with various notes, as to his early intimacy with Burns during the poet’s residence at Dumfries.

The other two poems, written on two and a-quarter folio pages, are a poem of 16 lines, “On the great recruiting in the year. 17—during the American War.” and a 48-line poem, apparently unpublished, beginning:— But Calvin’s fountain head they drank. That was a feast! The fulmnrt wildcat brock and tod , Wccl-kcn’d bis voice thro’ a’ the wood:He knew their ilka hole and road ,- Baith out and in • /■ And liket wed to shed their blnde, 1 And sell their skin. ■ ,

With this dot is included a wrapper marked in the late owner’s handwriting,. “ Found in an old pocket-book belonging to General Andrew Dunlop of Dunlop,” •

The Turnbull Library

Some of the literary works in the Turnbull Library at Wellington have increased amazingly in value since they were first secured by the donor of the library. Mr Johannes C. Andersen, the Turnbull librarian, told a reporter recently that: a first edition of Browning’s “ Pauline,” secured by Mr Turnbull for 130 guineas, was now worth £3200, and would certainly increase in value. One of the l ' works !of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, bought for. 70 guineas, was now valued at £3500. The fame of the library had spread abroad, Mr Andersen said, and be frequently received inquiries \ from people overseas about some of the-works it housed.

Lord Rosebery’s Writings

“ Peterborough ” writes in the Daily; Telegraph (London): I hear that Lady Sybil Grant contemplates a collectededition of the writings of her father, the late Lord Eosdbery. He left his papers; in her care, a natural tribute to' her/ literary gifts. Lord Rosebery began 1 his literary career with the monograph- oti Pitt which he wrote in the early nineties, at the invitation of his friend, John -Mo-r----ley. One of the lait books he did was his “ Chatham,” which appeared in’ 1910, Between his brilliant, studies of the two Pitts, Lord Eosebei'y wrote on- Reel, Napoleon, Cromwell, and Lord Ran'dplph Churchill. Add his miscellaneous ej&aysj and his addresses, and it will be seen tliati 1 , there is rich material for a Rosebery,” which Lady Sybil Grant would no doubt, edit herself.