New Books

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1908, Page 24

New Books

1 ADVENTURE" IN NEW ZEALAND.'

I ' Adventure in New Zealand from 1839 to 184.-4,- with Some Account of the Beginning of ths British Colonization of the Islands.' By Edward Jerningham Wa-ke-field. Christchurch, Wellington, -and Dunedin, Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd., .1908. This is a timely- reprint of ' Wakefield's fascinating narrative of the early days, and its interest is enhanced by the series of engravings" of old scenes taiken from the original drawings -in the Wal-cfielcl Portfolio. It is a matter of regret that this fine volume of adventure was not on the market in time for the distribution of schcol prizes, for it would have given New Zealand boys the tales of their own land quite as charming as ths imaginary adventures "in other climes that so captivate their fancy. However, •he suggestion is well worth making; a note of. Wakefield's ready pen has depicted in vivid language the mm,- , gicd humor, pathos, striking incident, and daily adventure x that made up the life "of Maori and Britisher in romantic dawn of our Dominion's history. His ' Adventure in New Zeaknid,' first published over sixty years ago in two large volumes, long ago established itself in English literature" as a classic narrative of that f«ct whk-h is stranger and more allurdngtthan fiction. For many ypars past, copies of this national classic have sold in the English book markets at over two pounds each, and now, thanks to the enterprise of Messrs. Whitcomte and Tombs, the whole may be had in one volume, beautifully printed in large modern type, with the oripinal maps and man}' of the illustrations from the Wakefield • Portfo'lio,~at the moderate -price cf 7s Pd. By adding this book to our shelves of favorite authors, we can both provide a rich feast -for our sense of wonder and admiration, at; striking incident- and remarkable" fact, and assist in building un a true national feeling which will surely rise higher the more intimately we come to Know the details of the life day-by-day led by the early settlers. In the words of Sir Robert Stout, who knew the author intimately, and who contributes an introduction of absorbing, interest. <No one who desires to become acquainted with the founding of the settlementsafford to remain unacquainted with " Adventure in i\'ew Zealand." '