Life and Progress in Australasia. By Michael Devitt. (Methuen and
Co.)—As might be expected, Mr. Michael Davitt's book on his recent Australian experiences is much more political than the usual "globe-trotter's" diary of Antipodean travel. Mr. Devitt, too, has paid special attention to the prisons and refor- matories of Australia, and to the recent "Labour Settlements" on the Murray River,—his account of the latter being, perhaps, the most interesting portion of his work. It must be confessed that Mr. Devitt is much more sympathetic towards the Australian democracy than are the majority of English travellers; but he writes, as a rule, with discrimination, and his views, even to those who are more familiarly acquainted with the Colonies than Mr. Devitt would profess to be, are often highly suggestive, being in all cases the result of personal observation. It is rather a pity, before publishing, that Mr. Devitt did not secure the assistance of an Australian literary friend to revise his "proof- sheets," as there are a great number of mistakes in regard to prominent colonists, which will, of course, excite adverse com- ment in Australia itself. Thus, to speak of the most prominent Victorian Irishman, Sir John O'Shanassy, as "twice Premier of New South Wales" will seem unpardonable to colonists. The officer whom Mr. Gladstone despatched to North Australia as Governor of his abortive penal colony was Colonel Barney, not Barnby ; and there are other far more glaring blunders. But a careful perusal of Mr. Davitt's book has certainly impressed us with his general fairness if not perspicacity of mind, and we trust the blemishes to which we allude may not prejudice the Colonial reader against a readable and well-intentioned book of Antipodean travel and observation.
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