By ALFRED H. HARRISON, F. R. G. S.
Illustrated from Photographs taken by the Author in the Arctic Regions,
and a Map. Derry 8vo. 12s. 6d. net.
The white North continues to exert its magnetism upon British explorers. Mr. Harrison's object was to explore the unknown region off the North American Coast of the Arctic Ocean, but he first travelled 1,800 miles by waterway through Northern Canada, till he arrived at the delta of the Mackenzie River. There he was frozen in and delayed for three months. He then continued his journey to the Arctic Ocean with dogs, but was obliged to abandon his supplies. He hoped to obtain provisions at Herschel Island, but being disappointed in this, he went into the mountains and spent two months with the Eskimo, whose manners and customs he describes. He next returned to Herschel Island and made a voyage to Banks Land in a steam whaler. There, too, the failure of an expected tender to arrive from San Francisco again defeated his hopes of procuring supplies. Consequently he once more threw in his lot with the Eskimo, between the Mackenzie Delta and Liverpool Bay, and spent a year among them.
Such are the adventures described in this interesting book, the last chapter of which, explaining the author's plans for resuming his enterprise, once more illustrates the fact that an Englishman never knows when he is beaten.
CHRONICLES OF THE HOUGHTON
FISHING CLUB, 1822-1908.
Edited by the Rt. Hon. Sir HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart.,
Author of 'Memories of the Months,' 'The Creevey Papers,'
'The Story of the Tweed,' 'British Fresh-Water Fishes,' etc.
With numerous Illustrations, many in Photogravure or on Japanese Vellum,
including facsimile Reproductions from Sketches by Landseer, Chantrey,
Turner, etc. Demy 4to. £2 2s. net. Limited to 350 copies.
This sumptuous volume, which gives the history of one of the oldest and most famous fishing clubs, on that finest of all English streams, the Test, forms an unique addition to angling literature. The effect of angling on literature has always been genial and discursive, and these delightful Chronicles are no exception to the rule. They throw much light on the changes which have affected social habits in general, and the craft of fly-fishing in particular, during the best part of a century. They contain not only records of sport, but various contributions—literary and pictorial—to the club album, made by celebrated members and visitors. These included Penn's well-known fishing maxims, some portraits by Chantrey, several sketches by Landseer and Sir Francis Grant, and one precious drawing from the hand of Turner. In the leisurely old days of mail-coaches, the members of the club and their guests had more time for such diversions, when the weather was unfavourable to sport, than is the case in the present age of telegrams and express trains.
IN OLD CEYLON.