PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 45

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The Pall Mall Magazine for March confc tains much of continuous interest—articles and stories in serial form, which having claimed our interest and admiration in former numbers, have secured a welcome in this. So much may be said for Mr Crockett's dashing Italian romance of "The Silver Skull," for Marriott Watson's episodical "Skirts of Chance," for the military sketches entitled " Old Memories," and for that oharming series, "The Ship, Her Story," which is as beautifully illustrated as even habitues of the .Pall Mall's pages can desire. Mr C Dana Gibson breaks fresh ground in the first of a series entitled " Sketches in Egypt," to which an uncommonly charming frontispiece belongs, and some excellent poetry, various articles and short stories go to make up a capital whole. The March number of the Review of Reviews dilates on the subject of the New South Wales Lancers, under the heading of "A Squadron for England," and gives a number of portrait illustrations to the article. The thread of Russian reminiscences, tolerance, and patronage which has largely occupied Mr Stead of late is abandoned in favour of a new topic —a very friendly and somewhat markedly sympathetic character sketcth of the German Emperor, which calls for a revision of our general opinion concerning 'this versatile monarch. The writer is Frank Dewey. "The Book of the' Month," Sir Charles Trovelyan's "American Revolution," furnishes Mr Stead with "The Topic of the Month," under the title of "Why Britain Lost Her Colonies." The usual brief resume of the month's history, together with the regular precis of tho contents of reviews -and magazines, completes the number, if we except a frontispiece portrait of Sir H. Campbell Bannerman and a group of the Australian Team for England, etc. " Austral Light for April opens with a Lenten lecture by Cardinal Moran on "The Mystery of the Incarnation." "Tales of the Papal Zouaves" alone represents fiction in this number, though some dainty verses by Marion Miller form an agreeable break in the somewhat austere character of the magazine for April. Cole's Book Buyer's Guide for March contains a veritable treasure iD the form of Rudyard Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden." This poem is already quotad and referred to by writers all over the world, both for its own intrinsic merit, which is great, and for the intensified interest which his late critical illness has aroused in Rudy aid Kipling's works. Very comprehensive and useful lists of new books and new editions issued by various publishers render the unpretentious little guide very welcome, especially to country readers. Wo congratulate The Triad on attaining its seventh birthday. Our bright little contemporary had a somewhat humble beginning^ but progress has been the motto of its genial proprietor, and its six years of existence 1>«*» witnessed its firm establishment on a pou«<i basis. Twelve separate editions ura n«w printed, the paper has been enlarged to HO pageß, and a most attractive feature now is its illustrations. This month's illustrated supplement is a reproduction of Margaret Dioksee's charming and expressive picture " The Child Handel." The illustrations include several portrait studies, views of native scenery, etc., and_ the literary contents are as varied and entertaining as usual.

Several changes are beint; mado in connection with the staff of the National Bank, in which the Mosgiol and Outrain brancho? are affected. Mr H. Gibson, of Mosgiel. goes lo Dunedin, his place being taken by Mr Crawford, of Outram. — Taieri Advocate. The Reefton Jockey Club contrived to save what looked like a certain loss on one race at the recent meeting. For the Jocko^ Olub Handicap only one horse — Specula toi — was left in. The starter went lo his pls<ce, I lie horso did not arrive, tho advertised lu-\a for starting had passed, and the starter dropped his flag and sent an imaginary field gillopinf* down the course. The consequence w?s tho club saved the stakes, owing to the jockey, after the manner of his kind, not co ning up to timo. "If J.P.s, because they are .T.P.'s, are qualified to serve on grand juries, then T s!>all vote for the abolition of such jurim." leinarked a Wellington delegate at llu T'-ados. Conference. "I can understand tlj.-it Lank managers, architects, and surveyors "lunikl bo drawn from for grand jurors, br cause I heir occupations required that they rJiould hays a certain amount of education. It required rery little to make a, J.P." "T'ipy moke them up of misfits," interjected another, amidst laughter. — Pres3.