Book Notices

New Zealand Tablet, 8 December 1921, Page 17

Book Notices

Little Ohelia , by May Gibbs. Angus, and Robertson, Sydney price 7/6. f Little Ohelia is another of the Snugglepot Series of Australian Fairy Tales, uniform in size and binding with its predecessors. It is , a real children’s book, a good -Christmas gift for the young people. Miss Gibbs reminds one sometimes of Lewis Carroll by her- quaint conceits and at others of the Grimms. Her Australian bears and kangaroos are worth knowing, and are far more interesting and intelligent than Billy Hughes and Mr. Massey. One Hundred Years of St. Mary’s Cathedral,' Sydney, by Rev. Peter J. -Murphy; price 1/6. St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, Centenary, 1821-1921. The illustrations and letter-press in thesfe two publications are worthy to be treasured as souvenirs of the memorable Centenary Celebrations which were held in Sydney during last October. Father Murphy not Only organised and directed the great bazaar, and the religious function, but prepared the two brochures now before us as- tangible records of a very successful and memorable week in the annals of St. Mary’s. Manly, Vol. I, No. 4. October, 1921. , The fourth number of Manly, like all the other numbers, is very creditable to its editors and publishers. Illustrations, articles, and poems are first rat*. However, there are not a few who will find a discordant mote in it. Those who insist on the watchword, “Australia for the Australians” are carrying it rather far. They protest that they are neither forgetful of what they owe to the Irish churchmen nor ungrateful. Not a few will be tempted to say that they protest too much. Arrows : Poems by George Noble Plunkett, M. H. Gill and Son, Ltd., 5/- net. Many poems in this volume are old friends, already made known to us in the pages of Studies, The Irish Monthly, the Catholic Bulletin, and the Month. Admirers of Count Plunkett will be pleased to have them now in permanent form in this beautifully printed book from the well-known Dublin Catholic publishers, Gill and Son. Refinement, scholarship, and deep devotional feeling are evident in every one of Count Plunkett’s poems. There / is no need to say that. As for the national note, it rings clear and true, as might be expected: Then spoke the Shining Woman, “Noiv look at me,” says she, And when I looked 1 saw the eyes My mother has for me, And in my mother’s voice she spoke, “Your father he was true, And would you have him in his grave To turn away from you?” I said, “0 Shining Woman, You hold my heart alone, Though I may tramp the rugged hills Or stand beside your throne. I’ll live for you, and be content To lie below the sod, If 1 cctfU strike a blow for you And keep my soul for God I”