BOOKS and AUTHORS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XIII, 28 March 1896, Page 349

BOOKS and AUTHORS.

A LITERARY CAUSERIE for colonial ■ BOOKBUYERS and BORROWERS. BOOKS marked thus (*) have arrived in the colony, and could at the time of writing be purchased in the principal colonial bookshops, and borrowed at the libraries For the convenience of country cousins who find difficulty in procuring the latest boohs ana new editions, the ‘BOOKMAN' will send to any New Zealand address any booh which can be obtained. No notice will, of course, be taken of requests unaccompanied by remittance to cover postage as well as published price of book. It is requested that only those who find it impossible to procure books through the ordinary channels, should take advantage of this offer. The labour involved will be heavy and entirely unremunerative, no *ees or commission being taken. Queries and Correspondence on Literary Matters Invited. AU Communications and Commissions must be addressed TUB BOOKMAN,’ Graphic Office, Auckland.

When I am Dead, ‘ My Fairest Child, New Music. ..... ...... . ‘Wilt Thou be my Deane ?’ By Alfred Hill : Frederick Jones and Co., Lambton Quay, Wellington, New Zealand. ‘ When I am Dead ’is published boch in the key of F. and of D. Mr Hill has here succeeded in giving a very true and effective setting to some well-known lines of Christina Rosetti’s, which are so much the more pathetic because of the subdued accent of life-weariness that runs through them. He has been not less happy in the way he has made music for Charles Kingsley’s often quoted verses, beginning ‘ My Fairest Child.’ The setting betokens the skill of one who thoroughly understands the art of music. ‘My Fairest Child ’ is also published in two keys—C and D. The music of ‘ Wilt Thou be My Dearie ?’ (key of C) has a light, tripping effect, which consorts admirably with Robert Burns’ charming little love lilt. In these three songs, Mr Hill is to be congratulated on his choice of the verses which he has set to music. They may be old and well-known, but they have that freshness which makes a thing of beauty a joy for ever, and are infinitely preferable to the erotic twaddle on which good music is so often wasted. ‘The Palotta March,’ ‘The Valerie Valse.’ by Harvy Barnett : Gordon and Gotch, Sydney. ‘ The Palotta ’is a fairly well-written march, and the air is decidedly pleasing. ‘ The Valerie Valse ’ has nothing strikingly original about it, but the time is well marked, and the melody smooth and vivacious enough to win approval in the ballroom. It has also the merit of being simple, and within easy compass of youthful players. ‘ Katoomba Waltz,’ by Mary McCarron-Maguire : Gordon and Gotch, Sydney. This waltz is likely to become very popular. Its bright, tuneful notes catche the ear at once, and if played at a seasonable time in a seasonable place, is sure to prove to all lads and lasses an irresistible invitation to the waltz.

The author of that wonderful romance, ‘She,’ is not heard of quite so much now as some years ago when he began to work the literary mine he had discovered. Still, although he has not added to his popularity by any of his latter work, his early still command shoals of eager readers. The recent complications in the Transvaal will, no doubt, lead to some of his books dealing

with Boer life being more widely read than ever. Mr Haggard has not a very high opinion of the Boers, and his pictures of their ways have done a good deal to prejudice

English readers against them. It has been said that he has dealt very unjustly with the Boer in his romances, in representing him as unreliable, cruel, and revengeful. Mr Haggard is about forty years of age.

Mr Zangwill and Mr Gissing are two novelists of quite recent appearance in the literary firmament. The former has given us some masterly pictures of modern

Jewish life, and the latter is well known for his vivid, though occasionally depressing, delineations of the meaner and more sordid aspects of civilisation in our crowded centres.