Ten Years in Melanesia. By the Rev. A. Penny. (Wells
Gardner, Barton, and Co.)—A very interesting book this, dealing with the native customs, the prospects of Christianity, the question of the labour traffic, and other matters about which the opinion of an ex. perienced observer is worth having. The marriage customs (in the Solomon group) are curious. The idea of property in daughters is very much developed, and it results in a very strict code of morality. But the good is sot unmixed, for there seems absolutely no room for affection in the marriage-contract. On the labour traffic Mr. Penny is quite decided. He will be glad to see it at an end. And the end, he thinks, will be when the islands are Christianised. As it is, no Christian natives will consent to go. On the whole, this is a cheering book.
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