ROMANCE IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
Pioneers in Australasia. By Sir Harry Johnston. (Blackie and Sons. 6s.)—Sir Harry Johnston is continuing his series which deals with the pioneer work of the Empire. In this volume the history is comparatively short and the geographical extent is very wide, embracing Australia with Tasmania, New 2ealand, and Polynesia. Sir Harry tells us of the aboriginal populations, and of the coming of Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese explorers, besides the Englishmen, of whom Captain Cook and Dampier are the chief. He also gives the stories of Flinders and of the 'Bounty' mutiny. There are useful maps, some repro- ductions of old prints, and coloured pictures by Mr. Alec Ball. —Pioneers iss huhu. (Same author, publishers, and price.)— The companion volume upon India consists of a sketch of the long history of the Peninsula down to 1818, the series of invasions from Alexander onwards, and the explorations of missionaries and traders from Europe. He adds two chapters on the border states, Tibet, Baluchistan, &c. There are maps which show the changes that are described, pictures reproduced in black-and- white, and some coloured plates by Mr. E. Walleousins.—The Romance of India. Edited by H. Strang. (Henry Frowde and Hodder and Stoughton. 6s.)—On somewhat different lines is the volume which Mr. Strang has compiled from passages taken from many different works upon India. The whole makes a very read- able book. It has all the appearance of a book for young people, and should interest them greatly. But other people, too, might well realize here the wealth of English literature concerning India if they have to confess that they have not read Orme and others of the writers quoted. The extract from Sir George Trevelyan's "Cawnpore" only makes one wonder how an editor could with- stand the temptation to go on till he reprinted every word of that inimitable book. There are some spirited and highly coloured illustrations by Mr. W. R S. Stott. Any of these volumes, the compilation of Mr. Strang, or the more original works of Sir Harry Johnston, would be an instructive and interesting present for a boy.
• The Old Colleges of Oxford. By itymer Valiance. London : B. T. BatAtord. [Di 46.
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