PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 16

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

One of the most'marked features of the festive both in the old land and the new is the publication of the titbits from the funny papers, in the form of an annual. Punch's Almanack leids the van in the Old country, and is looked tfor far ami wide ; here there is scarcely scope for a Puuch, and the want must needs be supplied from outside the orthodox fountain head. Murphy," who3e contributions to the Svening Herald and Saturday Advertiser form snoh an Attractive feature in those journals, Bteps into the breach and sends forth his Annual, comprising a choice selection of the " pomes " which have appeared iv the columns of our contemporaries from time to time: The little •volume is dedicated (in the vernacular, of course) to Mr Gladstone, aud the contents are of an extremely varied nature, although all bubble over with the native wit of the author, who retain-* the brogue, which is a distinctive feature of fthtree papers, throughout. The work which is isiued at the moderate price of Is, is neatly printed, and should meet with a ready sale. Messrs (.'-assell and Company have added still another periodical to the number they are issuing in " The Lady's World." The fashion plates are quite a novelty iv their way. They are technically correct, and at the same time are very pretty and effective pictures, drawn and engraved in a beautiful manner. The literary portion treats of almost every subject in which ladies take an interest, ranging from the art of giving dinners, to needlework of every description.

We have also received from Messrs Cassell and Co. the first number of their new and revised edition of " The Illustrated History of England." This work will be issued in monthly numbers at a low price, and as both the illustrations are excellent and the letterpress interesting, it should have a large sale.