LITERARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 242, 11 October 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

LITERARY.

In "The Conqueror," by Gertrude Atherton (Macmillan's Colonial Library) we are presented with the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the most remarkable figures in the American War of Independence. Although dressing her subject in the garb of fiction, the author conscientiously follows the historical record/ when touching upon the chief incidents of that historic struggle. Hamilton was born in the West Indies, and the events of his early years give rise to reminiscences of life in British tropical colonies in their palmy days, before sugar bounties had reduced the planters to penury aud despair. His removal to New York threw him at once into the heat of the revolutionary movement, which quickly enlisted the sympathies of his ardent nature. After events brought him into association with General Washington and other leaders, and the sketches of these worthies throw sidelights on their characters which will probably give some new conceptions to their admirers, while the narrative will certainly widen the general knowledge of American history. It is a well-written, wholesome book, which one reads with pleasure and finishes with regret.

"The Lady Killer." by H. de Vere Stackpoole (Unwin's Colonial Library), develops a far-fetched theory that some men possess a subtle power over women quite irrespective of their personal appearance, attributes, or position in life, and this is due to a certain expression of face localised in the region of the eye. The discoverer of this curious faculty profits by it himself, imparting- the expression to his own face artificially; and before his death he similarly embellishes a poor artist to whom, however, the gift turns out unfortunately. Intrigue, rather highly flavoured for family, reading, holds a prominent place in the story, which is not particularly inspiring, or redeemed by any enlivening touch of humour.

"New Samaria," by S. Weir Mitchell, M.D., which extends over four chapters in "Chamber's Journal *' for September, is one of the best short stories we have read for a long time. It describes the vain efforts of a millionaire banker who was hurt and robbed in a Western State of America to convince the community that he was not a lying tramp. The hardships and indignities he suffered before finally obtaining funds from friends- in the East are ingeniously conceived and diverting. Mr W. E. Cule's serial, "Prince Adrian of Zell," gathers strength. The other contents of the number are instructive and varied.

A rathier unique and interesting feature of the "Empire Review" for September is a facsimile of the letter written by King Edward and addressed to his people on the eve of his Coronation. The reproduction is on thick paper, stated to resemble in Quality and texture that on which the original was penned. Two of the most generally interesting of the contributions to this number are "Why Colonals are not Freetraders," by "C. de Thierry," an ex-Auck-lander, and the second instalment of E N. Thomas's "Memories of Cecil Rhodes."

A well-balanced editorial on English Public Schools and their critictakes pride of place in "The Monthly Review" for September. The records of success and failure in South Africa are taken as a basis from which to argue. The contributions of H°nri Bourbassa on "The French Canadian in the British Empire," and Charles Bright on "The Possibilities of Wireless Telegraphy," are the most generally .interesting of contributions to this number. Kndward Kipling is i-e----presented by a sketch entitled "Below the Mill Dam." which is quite in his most obscure style. It is, if anything at all. an uncomplimentary conversation between the mill wheel, the water power, the mill cat, and a black rat, on modern progress.

The "Pall Mall Magazine" for September contains a character sketch of the new Prime Minister by T. P. O'Conor. Mr. Balfour, ho says, is at once the most transparent -and the most elusive of our public men. Very few people understand- him. Tlje Mr. Balfour of the public form and reputation is constantly being- found to be very different from the Mr. Balfour of reality. He is eminently a man who requires the pressure of external cireumstnnee to bring out his powers. Let to himself he is selfdistrustful, indolent, even indifferent. TTe was eleven vear.s a member of Parliament before he received any office: he was even mors years before he made a sineie sr>e»eh which arrested the attention of the House. The first firm? to rcab^e about Mr. Balfour i* tth.it be is of a very complex temperament with many invisible depths, with points of view not very common among the general ruck of -noliticians. with many, conflict of forces within the frontiers of his soul, and with a great power of seeming- otherwise thou he if% Tn that home in Scotland, in Scottish mist, and mountain in Scottish seriousness aud spirituality, the root?! of Mr. Balfour's being- really lie. This is what gives to him his detachment, his benisrhity, his breadth of outlook, his cnlmness of temper, mid Irs <nveetppss of manners. This number of the mn<razine is. as usual, excellent in both illustration and letter-press.

The "Cornhill Magazine" for September contains the first of a series of practical articles entitled "Prospects in the Professions," which are intended to deal with them from the point of view of a parent who wishes to launch his sons on the world. The present number deals with "The Roval Navy." Vi=corint St. Cyres contributes an appreciation of Martin Tuppcr, Lady Grove discusses the question "Hotels as Homeß." and Mr. Alexander Tnnes Shaud writes of "The England of Arthur Young and Cobbett." "The Intrusions of Pe-o-gy" and"The Four Feathers" run their course.

Mr G. A. Henty will have his usual two or three boys' stories ready for the Christmas market. The veteran writer is responsible for nearly 100 separate volumes.

It is interesting to remember that "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," which, as was stated in this column last week, is appearing in the Palis "Francais," was first published in France in the now defunct "L'Arlequin." an unsuccessful attempt to transplant the popular "Tit-Bits" form of periodical across the channel.