PUBLICATION RECEIVED

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 66

PUBLICATION RECEIVED

From, Messrs Witts and Co., as agents for the Rationalist Frees Association, we have received a copy of the first issue of vthe R.P.A. Annual. This, however, is an old acquaintance — the Agnostic Annual — in an enlarged and improved form. With a successful life of 23 years $p look back upon the renamed annual is like to have a flourishing career before it. To the present issue the Hon. John Collier, the eminent artist, contributes an interesting paper on "The Home Life of Thomas Henry Huxley." Mr Collier lived for some years with the Huxleys after his marriage ■to Miss Huxley, and he thus had exceptional opportunities of becoming acquainted with the domestic life of the professor. The account, given is an attractive one. and shows Huxley to have been an ideal husband and father. Among the oilier con- . tributors to the annual are Mr Eden Phillpotts, the well-known novelist, with a "Sang of a Weary World"; the Rev. A. W. Hutton, on " Modern Broad Churchmanship " ; M. M. Mangaaarian, on " Sunday Sermons and Sunday Sports " ; Mr Joseph M'Cabe, on "The Lesson of Evolution." ; Mr Leonard Huxley, on " Some Ethics and a Moral"; Dr Ernst Haeckel, on "Linne and Darwin: A Note"; Mr R. Blatohford, on "How I Became an Agnostio " ; and "An Address to Liberal Theologians," by Mr Alfred W. Benn These and others not mentioned are essays of a gxave and thoughtful kind, which will repay perusal by thoughtful minds. (London: Watte and Co.; 6d net.) "Illustration© oKPositivism " is the title of a substantial paper-covered volume of essays by the late J. H. Bridges, M.8., F.R.C.P. Positivism has but few adherents hereaway, but there may well be others to whom these essays on widely varied sub- ! jects may prove of great interest. The i author's aim has been to set forth Positivist doctrines with a simplicity of language and " a fulness of illustration which should make them easily intelligible even to the most unlearned. During life Dr Bridges seems to have been looked up to as an authority by his- fellow Positivists, and these ' essays certainly indicate not only mastery I of subject but also impressiveness of style in no small degree. (London: Watts and Co.; Is net.) From the same publishers we have a very able essay on " The Evolution of Faith," by a new writer, Mr Edmond J. Hunt. I Mr Hunt is an effective 'rerfsoner, and his ! etyle is lucidity itself. Within the space : of some 50 pages he clearly if briefly reviews the development of thought, and from the ' Agnostic standpoint emphasises the antagonism between science and orthodoxy; discusses determinism^ and the non- , transcendental origin •of conscience and /the [ moral code; recognises the limitations of [ science and the permanence of true religion; and heralds the evolution of & new and larger faith. Ministers, and, indeed, , all who axe interested in the transitional | processes now in operation the world over, I should not fail to peruse this utterance of a serious and thoughtful mind. The published price ia 6d. " A Trip: Round the World, by an Australian Native," is the title of a shilling booklet forwarded by T. C. Lothian, publisher, Melbourne", and written by Herbert H. Weltenhall. One could,, not criticisethe efforts of a man whose charming modesty prompts him to offer his modest j observations " with all apologies," and who claims to have made those observations ilirou^h the- gl&ssea natural to & Tmrdworkinar country man taking his holiday trip. The pages are amply' illustrated with photographio reproductions marching on all - fours with the," letterpress of "Australian Native's" travels, and forming a pictorial diary from Ceylon, through Britain, the Continent, the United States, and home to Australia. The Triad for December is bright, with a good many interesting selections, some heartfelt criticisms, some fair-to-medium witticisms, and a great deal of Dicta." Then there are some verses, aome extracts, some picture*, and a great deal of "By the Way information on the topic* to which the Triad is especially devoted — literature, science, art, and music, — all of which will be found interesting, especially if you don't happen to have- read it before. The Lone Hand for December commends itself to the eye by a remarkably attractive cover as a first"* step' in the right direc tion, and follows it up with many other | and more solid steps in the way of con- | tents, literary and artistic Among the last — artistic — cannot be counted the too ambitious illustrations to „" Great Stories — Helen." Take it all round, though, the Lone Hand has reason to be prom of its December programme. There are .some good 6tories-"and ; some sensational ones, some verses, sketches, articles, and dig; logues; indeed, a little of all that goes to make the modern magazine popular. The Storyteller for November. — We have received from Messrs Oaseell and Co., those indefatigable publishers, a copy of this magazine, and consider it just the thing for holiday -reading 1 . There are no* less than 20 complete stories — a liberal programme, verily. .And, moreover, they are all sorts and conditions of stories : of theme as various as the of the general public and styles as diverse as the writers who have written them. But the 20 complete stories by no means fill the bill. There are pages of " Humour in Verse," and interludes of incident (mostly amusing), and a page of competition's; and all for — well, since it has arrived from Home let me quote Home price — sixpence. The Girls' Realm for November (Messrs Cassell and Co.) begins a new volume, and begins it with much charm ttnd merit combined. As to stories, they are by many writers, among them Ethel Turner and L. T. Meade. But the stories are really only a small 1 part of the delight of the. Girls' Realm. There is certainly some little suspicion of snobbishness as well as sham in the opening " Debutant's Experiences"; but the article on that clever girl artist and lithographer, Miss Tyra Kleen, together with the accompanying illustrations, is delightful. The illustrated article on "Things a Girl Can Make" is full of suggestions most useful at' jhe present time for Christmas gifts, or later on as birthday or Easter souvenirs. The " Novel Club for Country-loving Girls " will be read with interest, even though

beyond the reach of colonial girls; and there are dozens of interesting odds and ends included in the very attractive pro* gramme of the Girls' Realm.