The Special Collections Book of the Week this week is:

Half Hours of Leisure in South Africa: a Holiday Book by L. De Beer.

Published in 1896, this is a collection of essays and stories about South Africa, specifically aimed at ‘holiday reading’ that would not overtax the brain!

From the Preface: ‘In laying this volume, "Half hours of Leisure" before the public, the author seeks to supply a felt want. A holiday book, by a South African author, is something rare. Holiday hours are, for the most part, snatched from this busy world. During such snatched hours, the mind requires something easy to glide over. For that reason great simplicity in style and language has been kept in view. A tired brain needs brevity, therefore all the papers and stories are short. Somewhat lengthy lectures and addresses, have been divided into short paragraphs.’

UPSpace Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/21970

This charming and surely relaxing book is available at Special Collections, housed on level 5 of the Merensky 2 Library, and is part of our Africana (ZA) Collection.

The Special Collections unit of the Department of Library Services plays a stewardship role in the acquisition and preservation of the Library's rare and valuable information resources, making them accessible to students, staff and researchers, as well as safeguarding them for future generations.