BOOK NOTICES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 44

BOOK NOTICES.

CAMPS, QUARTERS, AND CASUAL PLA.CKB. By Abohibald Fobbes. London t Maomillan and Co. Dunedin » James Horsburgh. If this volume has seemed to n§ somewhat disappointing, it has perhaps been only beoanse oorfcain books and certain authors tickle the appetite of anticipation too keenly. From Archibald Forbet, the celebrated war correspondent, we. expeot, a perfect mine of goloonda in .the wares of reminiscence and incident;'. " Camps, Qaarters, and Casual Place*." Why, under that wide title moit oertainly may come not only all sorts and oonditiens of men, bat an endless variety of mite en toene and a delightful wealth of bithdrto unknown reminißcence ! Tbe book is a very Interesting pne, not brilliant, not bristling with treasure*, for tbe pilfering raconteur, but full ol interesting information pleasantly gives. A peep at the Anglo-Indian society life of to-day, -a description of the Inverness "Character Fair," a day on "My Native Salmon River," are lighter themes which take tbeir plaoe among such interesting sketches as "The Oawnpore of To-day," " German War Prayer*," and," A Version of Balaclava." Looking at great battles through tbe eyes of the war. correspondent, listening while be describes 1 tbis and that gallant sortie and desperate resistanco, that Is the feeling we have in reading these pages. It is the very book for tboie who are well read, for it sapplies a thousand little Intimate touches to even an oft-told tale, while to an uninformed or youthful reader it would, we think, awaken the desire for information.