LITERARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 38, 13 February 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

LITERARY.

Among those who responded to the appeal for more money in aid of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition was Mr J. M. Barrie, the novelist, who niade a contribution of £50. Mr Barrie is keenly interested in explorations aad explorers, the romance of the business, of course, appealing to him strongly. His' quaint play, 'The Admirable Crichton," contained many references in the desert island scene to those who go in quest of the undiscovered In his early days, says a writer in the "Chronicle," the novelist was a close friend of the late Mr Joseph Thomson, the African explorer, for whom he had a profound admiration, and Thomson figures as one of the famous Edinburgh Eleven. "Perhaps," writes Mr Barrie, "his most remarkable feat consisted in taking a bottle of brandy into the heart of Africa, and bringing it back intact." Mr Wirt Gerrare, whose latest book, "Greater Russia," was published only a few months ago, has been offered an engagement for a long term by a manufacturing firm in Germany, who make a condition that he shall not contribute to any periodical or write books. The whole of the information obtained by Mr Gerrare while on his travels will be purchased by his employers for their own sole use as traders in the markets of the world.—"Academy and Literature." Professor Skeat is attempting the task of modernising Chaucer for the benefit of those students who find the old English too difficult. "The Knight's Tale or the Story of Palamon and Arcite" will be published in a few days as a volume of the "King's Classics." Among other volumes in the series the first volume of "The King's Letters," edited by Mr Robert Steele, will also be published shortly. A new book by the new American humorist, as he is regarded, Mr Alfred Henry Lewis, will (says the "Daily Chronicle") appear just after Christmas. It deals with the characters that he has made his own, men of a Western cattle town, and it is called "Wolfville Folk." Another book which Messrs Isbister have had in hand for some time is also nearly ready. It, likewise, is by an American writer. Miss Clara Laughlin, and its subject is the love affairs of the most famous poets and authors. In recognition of the Earl of Meath's efforts to "cherish patriotism in the hearts of the children of the Empire," a Mr E. A. Walker has written a verse concerning "The Flag of Britain," which Mr S. J. Reilly has set to music. The Earl approves thereof so much that he proposes that it shall be sung in all E'.-hools throughout the Empire on "Empire Day." which it is suggested should bo May 24th, our late Queen's birthday. The opening gives a good idea of the sentiment: Flap of Britain, proudly waving, Over many distant seas. Flag of Britain, boldly hravlng Blinding fog aud adverse breeze. We salute thee, and we pray Ood to bless our land to-day. Flag of Britain! wheresoever Thy bright colours are outspread. Apropos of Gorki, who is much heard of just now, the "Daily Mail's" Moscow correspondent writes that the hero of the novelist's account of a tramp from Odessa to Tiflis has been identified. Gorki called him Prince Shakro Ptadze, but he is really a Circassian railway conductor named Skalidze. Skalidze says that one day when penniless at Odessa he was accosted by a beggar, who asked for a few coppers, and introduced himself as Peshkov. In company the two wandered through the Crimea, and Peshkov proved himself an admirable mendicant. The conductor's stick, hat and clothes were solil by i J eshkov, who was himself in rags. On reaching Tiflis Peshkov disappeared, and the conductor never saw him again, but has now identified himself as the hero of Gorki's book, pnd Gorki as no other than Peshkov! Gorki is now a : man of wealth. He gives luxurious dinners at his sumptuous town house in Moscow, and dispenses generous hospitality at his splendid estate on the Volga. The correspondent adds that in Moscow it is said that he has forgotten the days and the ideas of his poverty-stricken youth. Among the large number of friends and admirers of the late Sir Walter Besant. who witnessed the unveiling of his memorial tablet by Lord Monkswell, chairman of the London Connty Council, in the Crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral last month, were several members of the Council of the Atlantic Union, which was founded by the dead author, including Mrs. Mayo-Robson, representing Australia, r>nd Dr. Bocken and Mr. F. P. Hughes, representing New Zealand. Th., . J tablet, which is a work of art. well J worthy of the skill of Mr. G. Frampton, ! R.A.. is affixed in the centre of the souih wall between tablets doing honour to Charles Prude and George M. Smith, to whom English literature o-jvps the "Dictionary of National Biography." In the centre is a portrait bust, surrounded by a wreath of laurels, and supported by two bay trees, and it beaxs the following inscription: SIR WALTER BESANT, Novelist, Historian of London. Secretary of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Organizer of the People's Palace, and Founder of the Society of Authors. This monument is erected by His Grateful Brethren in Liteiature. J Born 14th Augt., 1536. Died 9th June, 1901. Among the stories now being repeated about the late Mr Lecky ii one, obvious!ly apocryphal, which is said to have j originated in America and to have pur- ! sued him unceasingly round the earth in the newspapers. It is certainly quaint. According to this story Mr Lecky did all his writing lying prone on a bed, face downward, with the pillow as his desk. Iv this position he was described as having written all his books, thus ruining countless linen sheets and counterpanes by reckless effusion of ink. The last touch is given to this engaging anecdote in the statement that an invariable item in all of the historian's hotel bills was a charge for compensation for ink spattered bed linen.