Literary Notes.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 190, 10 August 1895, Page 3 (Supplement)

Literary Notes.

<Juite one of the besr, of Anthony Hope's (or give him hia right name Hawkins) novels is *A Man of Mark,' which Mebbuens have added in bheir admirable Colonial Library. Just as the scene of' Half a Hero ' ia one of tha Australian colonies, bhab of ' A Man of Mark,' is one of tho minor S.A. republic?, tho hero, General Whibtiugham, being President We are taken behind tho scenes and ehown amusingly enough how in such places revolutions are arranged and re-arranged, and financial difficulties surmounted. The narrator, a young bauk manager, comes to aad grief partly through granting a loan unauthorised by his directors bo bhe Republic of Aureatland, as the country has boon inappropriately christened, and partly through falling in love with a fascinating and mysterious eignora. Tho lady haa several strings to bor bow, including the Leader of the Opposition and bhe President. The l&bcer makes bhe mistake of under rabing tha intelligence of bobh the Signora and Jack Martin, the bank manager. Thoy join forces and help bho leader of bho Opposition, Colonel Macgrogor, to fix up a1 rifce little revolution. Whibtingbam is successfully deposed, and Macgregor declared Proaidenb. Then, however, the conspirators find they have droppad 'oub of the frying-pan into the fire.' Wbittiogham was more or lees of a gentleman, whereas,' Macgregor is a downright brute. They decide to have tho former back again, and some exciting incidents wind up the story. Its attraction chiefly lies in tbe crisp manner in which the tale is told and the clever bouchea of character.

Among the other notable issues in Mebhuen's Colonial Library, for copies of which we are indebted to Messrs George Roberbson and Co., of Melbourne, are Marie Corelli'e ' Barabbas,' Gilbert Parker's ' The Trail of the Sword,' and Arthur Morrison's 'Taloa of Mean Street.' Of Marie Coroili'a breatmenb in fiction of a sabjeot which introduces as iba central figure bhe Saviour of Mankind, much has been wribben, bub ib says a great doal, nob merely for her skill aa a literary artist bub for her profound religious aense, tbab nowhere has she wribten one word which can offend the mosb devoub and reverential of her readers. The pages of ' Barabbas ' indeed do a very greab deal to lend vivid colouring bo our concepbionß of those eventful hours which preceded and followed the mosb raomenboue evenb in human hiabory, Gilborb Parker's 'Trail of bhe Sword' breaks new ground for the romancisb in thab interesting historical period when France held possession of tho mosb fruitful divisions of Canada. His story ia one of stirring inberesb. Ib is in a sadder frame of mind bhab we burn from bhese books bo Mr Morrison's realistic picburea of life in bhe Eaat End of London The author- bread. close upon the heoU of George Cisßing in his ghastly disclosures of the meaner side ot our nineteenth century civilisation. The struggles and sorrows of the denizens o; that vast wilderness of bricks and mortar, which ia reached ' down through Cornhill and oub beyond Lsadenball-Btreet and Aldgafce Pump,' have rarely been told by a more observant explorer in that region.

The ' Time. Machine' has been discovered, and 'tis possible the chorus of praise its brilliant originality invoked may suffice to outweigh the isßuiner of bhe booklot at eighteenpence. As a rule such a rate proves fatal. People understand a 'shilling shocker'and a two-shilling 'yellow-back,' but they resent eighteenpence. Ib looka boo much like trying to charge fifty per cent, exbra for whab should legitimately be a shilling.

.- Anobher book which the English reviewers have united to praiae very lavishly ia ' Almayer'e Folly,' a gloomy bub poWer-fully-bold tale of life on an Eastern river. ' Tay Pay' devobed six columns bo ib in bhe ' Sun,' and the ' Chronicle ' observes truly enough there has been nothing quite like ib of recenb yearß. A special colonial edition is issued by Fißber Unwin, so that our readers can investigate itß merits at a reasonable cosfc.

Mrs Caffyn'a contribution bo ihe'ZeibSewb' series Of Messrs Hutchinson is bo be called « A Comedy of Spasms.' Colonial readers who have long enjoyed bhe luxury of a half-crown edition of Da Maurier's ttobable novel, 'Trilby,' with illustrations by the author, in Bell's Indian and Colonial Library, may be surprised to learn bhat the first edition of the cheap illustrated 'Trilby' in England has just beon brougbb oub by Oagooda, numbered 32,000. Judging by the way Dv Maurier's masterpiece sella, ibs popularity seems greater than ever. The dramatic version will be brought out at the Haymarkeb in September, with Tree as Svengali, young Terrißß (eldest eon of ' Bill' Terias) as little Billie, and Beatrice Lamb aB Trilby. Ib sounds an ideal caat. Dv Maurier is already hard ab work on anobher novel which will run bhrough 'Harper's'in tho first instance.

Thomas Hardy haa just concluded a dramabieation of * Tea?,' which Forbes Robertson has purchased and will produce ;at the Lyceum, playing ' Augel Clare ' hirhtaelf to the • Tobb ' of Mrs Pat Campbell. The great acone of the piece will be where ' the pure woman ' confeeaes her faux pas to her husband. This should jusb suit Mrs Catnpbell'e peculiar powers.

The latest addition to MacMillan's admirable ' Men of Action ' series is a capitally-written biography of Wolfe, by A. G. Bradley. The abory of bhe 'Siege of Quebec' ia aB fascinating as°a romance. The illustrated standard novel for June ia Jamoa Motier's 'Adventures of Hijji Baba of Ispahan,' with illuatrations by H, R. Millar, and an introduction by "that greab authority on bhe Shah's land, bho Hon. George Curzon.

The articles by Mary Spencer Warren on bhe Princess of Wales, her pets, her houaehold gods, etc., etc., which have appeared from time to time in the 'Strand' magazine, and Other of George Newnes' publications, have been collected, and are now issued in a bandeome 5a volume, and called ' A Biographical Sketch.'

H. Rider Haggard is a popular writer with all readers of fiction, and his book •Beabrice,' which baa been issued by Messrs Longman, Green and Co., in bheir Colonial Library for June, will be welcomed by many. The story sbandß oub in marked contrast to the other books from the author's pen. It lacks the wild imagination which in former works of Mr Rider Haggard produced startling scenes and peculiar characters, but the libe'rary abyle ia more polished and the character of ' Beatrice ' is undoubtedly one of the beßb pieces ot work yeb accomplished by the author. The book is one which leaves an impression upon bhe reader bhab is nob easily effaced. The minor characters are all conscientiously worked out and the book is one which Will add to its author's reputation.