PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 37

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The Victorian Government have issued an illustrated official handbook of the aquarium, picture galleries, and museum collections in the Melbourne Exhibition building. The compilation, which also includes a description of the " Cyclorama of Old Melbourne," is by Mr James E. Sherrard, secretary to the Exhibition trustees. The literary work is given an additional intereet by illustrations of the denizens of the aquarium and the contents of the museum, and as these are all from photographs, and no pains have been spared in printing, the work is not only valuable as a record, but also affords a lesson in natural history which would be eminently suitable for use in schools. The " Cyclorama of Old Melbourne," which forms the latter half of the book, is really a history of the early days of the capital of the colonies. It is written by Mr Edin Finn, whose literary work over the norn de 2>lv>me of " Garryowen" is widely appreciated on " the other side," and it cannot fail to be of interest to all old Victorians. Altogether the handbook is one of the most interesting as well as most useful things of the kind published in the colonies.

The Kosmopolan — the Volapilk form of the word Cosmopolitan — is the title of a paper published in Sydney, having for its object the spreading of the Volapiik throughout tlie colonies. The paper is printed in Eagliaii and Volapiik side by side, and the eaviug effected by using the latter is clearly Bhown. The saving does not appear to bs very material, and to a non-enthusiast it would Bcurcely seem much of an argument in favour of learning an artificial language with neither literature nor traditions to recommend it. We should think an Englishman might make better use of his time by learning French or Germau, aud vice versa.

The first number of the Australian edition of the Review of Reviews for thi3 year contains as its leading features a character sketch of the world-renowned electrician, Thomas Alva Edison ; a synopsis of the leading articles in the Reviews, dealing as usual with many bubjects, and giving a digest of public opinion upon them. Amongst other curious and interesting matters brought up for the ainu=emeut or instruction of the public is th 6 que&tion of whether or not Shakespeare wa3 an '• automatic writer," and according to one of the coutroversalists Shakespeare whs a " merliu-n " of " occult" forces. Thtre are furtber articles on the "Wasted Wealth of King Demos "' ; a great number of political cartoons arc reproduced, and the frontispiece of the EDg!i:ih portion gives a portrait cf Gladstone and one of his grandchildreu. In the Australian portion there is an article on " Fedeiabi-jn," by Sir Ihivry Parkes ; a critical bus favourable notice ot the Sydney Bulletin, and a history of thnt paptr ; and political, historical, and literary notes.

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