NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9085, 18 May 1891, Page 2

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The Jenolan Caves : An excursion in

! Australian Wonderland; by Samuel i Cook. Illustrated with 24 photo plates and maps. London : Eyre and Spottiswode. Melbourne : Kendall, Flinders Lane. All who visited the Dunedin Exhibition will remember seeing those realistic representations of the Jenolan Caves, which were fitted up in one of the bays of tho Now South Wales Court. The entrance was through a turnstile, and visitors at once found themselves in the interior of a cave with stalactites depending from tho roof. Ranged round tho walls were loopholes, through which visitors looked, when tho curiosities and varied forms of theso wonderful cave?, wero to be seen in all their beauty. We have been reminded of these caves by the receipt of a very elegant and artistically illustrated work, bearing on the cover the words "Australian Wonderland "—the full title of the book, however, is described above. The work, which ia divided into thirty one chapters, was written by Mr S. Cook for the Sydney Morning Herald, and appeared in th t paper some time since. It has now been reproduced in the present elegant form, and made more attractive by the introduction of a number of admirable illustrations, which give some idea of the beauty of these subterranean wonders, although the author in his preface says " that neither tongue nor pen, nor pictorial art can convey an adequate idea of the magnificent and exquisite beauty of these caves. These caves are about 150 miles : from Sydney, and their discovery is attributed to James Whalan, who having been robbed by a man named M'Ewan, tracked him to this the romantic Bpot which forms the centre of the Cave reserve. From time to time since they have been subject to numberless depredations at the hands of unscrupulous Vandals, who have removed stalactite pillars of great magnificence. Amongst the views perhaps the most beautiful are tho Coral Grotto, Carlotta Arch, The Shawl, Stalactite Grotto, interior of Lucas Cave, Nettle Cave, Broken Column, Architect's Studio, Katie's Bower, and Underground Reflections ; although there are none of the twenty-four views of the caves which will fail to be admired for their beauty. In the pictures it is noticeable that a good deal of wire netting ia used for the protection of the beauties of the caves, which has evidently been rendered a painful necessity by reason of the insane caprice of the human race to immediately try to destroy, for the petty decorations of their own, beauties of Nature which they apparently cannot admire without coveting. Mr Cook's descriptive accounts of these caves are written in a pleasing and attractive style; whilst the illustrations, which are works of art, add to the value of the book. The volume is admirably printed, on thick paper, aud ia handsomely bound in blue cloth. It is a book which everyone who is fond of the " beauties of nature " should procure. In Double Harness : Poems in partnership, by Geo. Phipps Williams and W. P. Reeves. Christchurch: Lytttlton Timtß. Publishing Company. New

Plymouth: G. M. Brasch & Co.

I The Lyttellon Timss is tho only daily I paper in New Zealand which opens its columns to poetry, and we have before us a little volume in which two of the staff. I have contributed to make a very readable i little volume. Most of the poems arc of I an amusing character, though some have a good deal of pathoa about! them. The subjects of the poems consist chiefly of characteristic phases of colonial country life. The volume opens with " Atra Cura: a pastoral plaint," in which the poet depicts the annoyances and unpleasantness "of station life. The " Burnt Homestead," Where beams half-burnt and rafters mix; With tumbled heaps of blackened bricks,

A hapless show : Where not a blade of kindly grass, Or c'en a weed^ to grace the mass, As yet may grow. has a good deal of pathos about it ; whilst a descriptive poem, " An Australian Noon," ranks high in merit. "The History of Mr and Mrs Miggs — a tale of the New Zealand Land Laws," is amusing; as is also " Put the Question," being the experience of a Parliamentary candidate. "He trod on the end of a plank," " Wanted — some Metaphors," and " The Old College Boy 1 ," will be read with pleasure ; indeed the whole of the pieces will repay perusal. The book is nicely printed, and may be ootained from Messrs' G. M. Brasch & Co., Devon-street. National Australian Convention. Official record of proceedings and debates. Sydney : G. S. Chapman, Acting Government Printer.

This bulky volume has been forwarded to us by the Government Printer, Sydney, and the excellent manner the work has been turned out speaks well for the resources of the establishment and efficiency of its officers. Its pages are foolscap folio, and the volume is printed in pica and long primer, ,the largest type used in bookwork. The book contains the minutes of the proceedings of the Federal Convention, Report from the Committee on Constitutional Machinery and the Distribution of Functions and Powers, Draft of a bill as adopted, Letter from Mr Justice Richmond of the Supreme Court of New Zealand on Australiau Judiciary and Court of Appeal, and official record of the debates. Bibliography of New Zealand, by J.C. General Assembly Library, Wellington. Well ngton : Geo. Didsbury, Govt. Printer.

This is a very valuable volume, containing, as- it does, the name of every book and article published relating to New Zealand, from the earliest date up to the present time, arranged in chronological order. There is also a classified catalogue of the books, and an alphabetical catalogue of authors, and the titles of anonymous and pseudonymous publications relating to this colony. The book is very neatly printed, and will prove serviceable to those who take an interest in the history of New Zealand. The Monthly Record of Science, with which is incorporated Typo ; edited by R. Coupland Harding. Wellington : Lyon and Blair. That excellent magazine Typo, although not changed in form, has become incorporated with other magazines. We have, therefore, now three literary magazines for the price previously paicl for each one. The editor in a note says "the best feature in all will be retained under the new management. Typo will still continue to represent the printing craft, and the literary department is to be widened and enlarged by the .assistance of contributors to the Review being retained, win st the proceedings of various scientific bodies will be fully recorded, as in the Record." As the paper will be conducted by Mr R Coupland Harding, so well-known in connection with tho first named publication, to which he has contributed many able and interesting articles, we feel sure that the Record affi Review will have large and increasing circulation. The Ladder, a review of politics, literature, science, and' art. Edited by David Bakilhe, B.A. , London : Marshall Brothers. New Plymouth : J, Gil-

This is a new magazine, and its first number contains some well written and interesting articles; A large ntaff of able writers are to be engaged, who, the editor states, will discuss through its pages the most important questions of the day. Amongst them are the names of Right Hon. John Morley, Prof essor Marcus Doad, M D, Profeßsor Kirkpatriok, Mr P, Hum* Bwwa^w4 Mr t^ha &1, Gray,