BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13316, 17 January 1912, Page 1

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

The Works of Shakespeare. London • Uard Lock :uwl Co., Ltd.; Nelsonhotinsell and Co. Among theatrical managers in tlio old .days it was said that "Shakespeare spelt ruin and Byron bankruptcy " But with the successes of Oscar Asche and his company, anil the sustained performances of H. Ji. Irving's "Hamlet,'' the public interest in tlio work's oi England's greatest poet is well maintaiiied..jiow-a-davs. Not only this out publishing houses vie with" each other to give tho best possible value m their editions. A wonderfully produced copy lies before, us published at the low price of 2s Cx\ by Ward Lock and Co.. Ltd. Hound 'in hanasomo cloth gilt, with photogravuro portrait, biography, 'glossary and index oi characters, and printed all through m remarkably dear large typo this marvellous volume makes up IGOO pages. Truly the poorest of us can now enjoy the possession and comfortable reading of tlio immortal plays of the great master. "lorne O'Neal, by Frances E. Cannon London, Christehureh, etc.: Wliitconihe. and Tombs, Ltd. Tho story of lome O'Neal is a fresh Irish romance into nhieh religious perplexities and omiiurassments enter very largely. The' heroine is the daughter of "the heir to Lough C;irraigh, a landed estate long held by a prominent Roman Catholic family. At the time the story opens the property was in the hands of Sir Michael O'Neal, whose son, lerne's father, commenced the troubles of the family by recanting from the faith of his fathers ami embracing Protestantism, at the same time adopting political views as widely divergent from his father's. Angered and mortified by his son's apostacy tho baronet disinherited him, and Ihiifli O'Neal turned his attention to journalism in Dublin, achieving some distinction. lie is finally done to death during a political riot, and shocked by the tragedy the Unronet heals thy breach with tlio girl it left unprotected. Meanwhile a new heir, Denis O'Neal, has taken up his abode at Lough Curiagh, and ho falls ii: lo\o with lorne. For a time she returns his a faction in a half hearted way, until on ti<* death of her grandfather rhe visits England and comes in contact with Kylta Hamilton, an old acquaintance, who inspires in her a deeper feeling. At this time lerne comes under the influence of a former ]?onian Catholic priest, who is devoting his energies to social service in the East End of London, and she throws herself heart and soul into this work. lerno becomes the innocent object of various intrigues, political nnd otherwise, and'this period of her-life, the author present? with a, skill that holds tho expectant interest of the render. Everything ends happily of course with the marriage, of lerne to Hamilton. Tho book is a political romance of the best kind, and tho cleverness with which tho author constructs and unfolds her plot is sura to be liberally rewarded. "Sam's Kid," by F. E. Mil's Young. London : John Lane; ■Christchureh etc.: Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd. Miss Mills Young has produced another of the romances laid on the South, African veldt which have, claimed a largo share of the popularity which has rewarded recent novels, and the authoress has certainly added to her j-eputation by her latest effort. SsiniT or to give him his fiiJl name. Sam Bentley, was before the story opens deeply in love with a lady who fell a victim to a less worthy rival, but did not live long to regret her indiscretion. On her death-bod she confided her child to tho care of Sam, who adopted her, and at the close of her education took her to' his homo on tho vfldt, a ro»-ih l-ncbolor establishment .'hired by his partner, David Crier, f>:i attractive chm.-ir-tur who h-v] bc>n. banished to Vm wikh in conf.equence of a serious rdventuro of which Coi;\ the Kid, clipped to have heard -n liilo staying »-ith former friend.s of Crier. liisiinctive and mutual aversion gradually gave way to kindlier f-cli-i^s. and the lipeniu'g of the aflectioH between Coif and Crier was checked only by the former's duty to her foster-father, who appeared u> contemplate another relationship towards his charge. The advent on a neighbouring farm of ono Jackson, - - •- ■.. .4

however, disturbed the life of tho trio. Jackson, a thorough-paced ruffian, was acquainted with Griers socIct, and by threats to ruin him ho i'oreed his attentions on tho girl, whose 'loathing <if him struggled buc ineffectually against he*- desire to.save lirier. The discovery of her sacrifice for his lover sends Grier horrified from tiio scene oi' his love, and its tragedy, unable to prevail upon Ooie to becaiiio his wife in spite of the past. She eventually finds the happiness left to her in life as the wife of Sam Uentley. The attractive Christmas number of tho "Windsor Magazine (to hand from Messrs Jackson and Co.), is remarkable, not only for its accustomed programme of new fiction by favourite novelists, lavishly illustrated by clever artists, but for many new features. Tho fiction includes complete stories by E. F. Benson, Eden Phillpotts, S. Maenaughton, Justus Miles Forman, Robert Harr, Halliwell Sutclift'e, Barry Pain, f[. B. Marriott Watson, and other accomplished authors. 'Hie coloured plates of tho number are no fewer than 15, and include not c> ly masterpieces of modern art by distinguished painters, but also portraits of leading actors. Other articles of the number include some very i: toresting further reminiscences by Ellen Terry; the work of defecting' waste m water supply; the history of tho London Philharmonic Society, which this year celebrates its centenary, and the valuable series, "England's' Story in 1 oitrait and Picture," is eontinj >d Jhe fine art feature of tho number is a survey of the treasures of the Manchester City Art Gallery. Altogether it is a notable volume of valuable letterpress and important art.