LITERARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 183, 2 August 1913, Page 14

LITERARY.

Among tbe additions promised shortly to the "Cambridge Manuals" published by the Cambridge University Press are "Bees and Wasps," by Mr. 0. H. latter; "Mysticism in Literature," by Mrss Spurgeon, who ranges from Plotinus to Francis Thompson; and "English Monasteries," by Mr. A. Hamilton Thompson. The "Oxford University Press," under tbe direction of Mr. Humphrey Milford, ie issuing a cheap edition of Newman's "Apologia Pro Vita Sua," preceded by Newman's and Kingsley's pamphlets, with an introduction by Wilfrid Ward. These form a substantial, well-bound volume of 527 pages, which is published at the low price of eighteenpence net. Steps are being taken at Norwich to hold a festival in -honour of George Borrow, the author of "The Bible in Spain." Borrow was born at East Dereham, in Norfolk, on July 5, 1803, and in the intervals of his wanderings lived at Norwich, Yarmouth. Oulton, and other places in East Anglia. Ten years ago Norwich celebrated the centenary of Borrows birth, but it is thought that the time has rome for a more worthy celebration of his literary eminence. By way of celebrating the very successful first year of their "Home University Library of Modern Knowledge," the remarkable series of shilling volumes edited by Professors Gilbert Murray, Herbert Fisher, J. A. Thomson, and W. T. Brewster, Messrs Williams and Norgate have issued ten new volumes, bringing the number of volumes now published up to fifty. Lord Hugh Cecil's manifesto on "Conservatism" is, perhaps, the book of the ten which will be seized upon with most curious interest. "Progress" for July deals specially with dairy machinery in New Zealand, and gives, among other illustrations, pictures of the Kaupokonui Dairy Co.a main factory, which is said to have the largest output of cheese of any concern in tho world. The architectural .-eetion reproduces the designs for the Training College and Normal School (Wellington) competition, and a. picture of St. Matthew's Church, Hastings. The winning design in the tramway waiting shed competition is that sent in by Mr. Roy G. Jackson, of Auckland. "The Emit of Indiscretion." by Sir William Maquay (Stanley Paul's Colonial Library), is a story of murder and mystery, in which is told how, on the eve of a country-house wedding, the best man is killed on the hunting field. Captain Routham consents to take bin place, but suddenly disappears, and is found dead, his body stretched across the railway track. With the help nf Rolt, a famous detective, the mystery i« cleared up, and is brought at last to a startling denouement. '"Ralph Raymond." by Ernest Mansfield (Stanley Paul's Colonial edition), deals with the varied experiences of a prospector from Australia and New Zealand who has discovered gold and ruby mines in India, and amassed a fortune througli their flotation. At this point Raymond's good luck deserts him. Ho is called to answer a false charge of murder; is unwisely induced to escape from gaol and leave by sailing ship for Australia; is knocked overboard, and has a miraculous escape; participates in the rush to the West Coast goldfields of New Zealand, and finally gives himself up for trial. Among subsidiary incidents are certain hypnotic manifestations, and altogether the story, if lacking in probability, should satisfy the tastes of those who revel in this class of fiction.

The July number of the 'Tall Mall Magazine" contains several new and striking features, prominent amongst which iri "A Magazine Revue" entitled "The La.it Question" and written by C. H. Bovill, who is famous for his revues, which have been produced at "The Empire," London. This is the first of its kind to be published, and w illustrated in colours on a novel plan. Compton Mackenzie, the author of "Carnival," contributes a short story in which he introduces Jenny Pearl, the heroine of that book. Mr. A. F. Wiliding, the la.wn tennis champion, contributes an article on the common faults of tennis and their euro, which appears at a most appropriate time, and cannot fail to be highly appreciated. Mr. T. P. O'Connor's study on Personality is devoted to the Kt. Hon. Herbert Samuel, Postmaster-General, A symposium on Compulsory Military' Service is contributed to by a number of military, naval and literary men. Mr. G. K. Chesterton's contribution is a characteristic story, "The Wisdom of Father Brown." The illustrations throu-rhout the issue arc by leading artiste, and particular attention is drawn to the colour printing, which has become a regular feature of the "Pall Mall "

The Round Table" for Juno contains a number of articles of Imperial interest. In a paper on "The Balkan War and the Balance of Power," the writer attempts to take stock of the effects of the Balkan War on the general Euro-' pean situation, on the grouping of the Great Powers, and on the policy of the British Empire. The first section is devoted to a concise and interesting account, illustrated by an excellent tnap of the main outlines of Balkan liistory up to .the present day, the result of which is to show that the problems created by that history are so complex that even the war has'not succeeded, as it is sometimes supposed, in settling the Eastern question. The recent political sensation in England arising out of the operations of certain Cabinet Ministers on the Stock Exchange is reviewed in an article which endeavours to sum up dispassionately, in the light of the information that lias been made public, the history of what has come.to ha known as the "Marconi aflair." The account of the actual incidents in this puzzling affair is complete and lucid, and therefore valuable; but more valuable are the general reflections and criticisms to which this account gives rise. An article on. "The Ethics of Empire" points out two facts which the Imperialist of the pact has too often ignored; first that the justification for the policy of closer Imperial Union, if it is to be real, must be based on something deeper than considerations of mere material advantage, however important these may be, and secondly, that unless this kind of justification is urged, and strongly urged, by the Imperialist he need not expect to find the democracies of this and the other States of the Empire supporting his policy with any degree of enthusiasm. Articles of special colonial interest deal with the "Grain Growers' (Movement in Canada " and with other political questions relating to that Dominion; with Federal politics and the referenda in Australia; the crisis in the Nationalist party in South Africa; and the Labour Movement and National De--1 fence in New Zealand,

■Mr Andrew Melrose has published a novel of exceptional interest, called "Daphne, in the Fatherland." The pictures it gives of German life and character in high places are so intimate that it has been judged advisable for the author to remain anonymous. The pictures are drawn first hand, by one who for eight years was in the closest relations to the most important personages in Germany.

Mr. Unwin announces a new book by Mr. Manmaih C. Mallik, an Indian barrister, who nae written some interesting volumes comparing Eastern and Western thought and ideals. The object of Mr. Mallik's new book, "Orient and Occident," is to draw attention to the unity of thought in the higher intellectual sphere which has from time immemorial to the present day pervaded the productions of the great minds of both the East and the West, and to indicate that as integral parte of one system the East and the West influence* each other foi good or evil.

The Year Book of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony, 1913, published by the "St. Catherine Prese," London, is' a timely reminder of the enormous development of wireless telegraphy. Both in the "popular mind and in practice the subject has become so widely established that a thorough digest of information has become an absolute necessity if those who are concerned with wireless telegraphy in one way or another are to keep pace with its rapid progress. To satisfy the requirements of all interests within a volume of reasonable dimensions was the problem to be faced in the compilation of the year-book. The aim of the publishers has been to produce a- volume which shall be at once indispensable to those concerned in wireless telegraph}-—whether technically or commercially—and contain information sufficient to make intelligible to the general public the immense variety of matters relating to the subject. "Whether his interest be in the purely scientific side or the commercial, whether he desire to know the wireless stations of the world, or the rates for a message, or to understand the laws and regulations governing wireless telegraphy all over the world the inquirer should find in a book of this kind all the facts stated concisely and authoritatively, and we do not think that he will be in any way disappointed. The year-book opens with a calendar, and is followed by a concise chronological record of progress in wireless telegraphy since 1800. Xext follows what many will regard as thp most important feature of the work, and one which alone would make it indispensable, namely, the administrative section. This contains the London Convention of 1912, tlie laws anil regulations of the principal countries concerning wireless telegraphy, all carefully prepared in English. Then there is a complete list of land and ship stations of tin; world, with their call letters, ranges, wave lengths, and thp nature of the service, hours of o.pcnin'j »in<l changes, set out in an easy form which makes reference easy. Olhor features are an article by Mr. Arthur R. Hinks. M.A., Chief Assistant of Cambridge Observatory, on '"Wireless Time Signals";

"Distress Signalling," by Mr. (!. E. Turnbull. and p. mass of useful data. As might be expected, the technical section is particularly stroug, and some of the leading experts have contributed. Professor J. A. Fleming F.R.S., Dr. W. H. Eccles, Capt 'H. Riall Sankey. and others no less well known arc mong the authors of signed articles. Major J. E. Cochrane deals with military wireless telegraphy, and wireless telephony has been dealt with by Dr. J. Erskine-Murray. Almost every branch of the subject has been covered. There is much valuable technical data, and a large number of useful formulae and equations. A very full glossary of technical terms in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish completes a valuable section. Many illustrations distinguish the volume, and one very valuable feature is a new and revised map of wireless stations of the world. The book is published at ATJGTTST ST-lINDBEKG. By L. LIND-AF-HAGEBY. Stanley Paul, London. f>/ net. August Strindberg, the most noted ol modern Swedish writers, who wrote seventy plays, psychological, historical, and mystic, besides novels, stories, and essays, which place him in the forefront of modern writers as an observer of life, died on May 14, 1912. To many, his name still connotes a madman, violent and passionate; this book, however, gives a vivid and sympathetic picture of the struggles and difficulties of his life, and throws much light upon his complex character. The author tells us. in his introduction, tiiat "Strindberg the atheist, Strindberg the scientist, Strindberg tbe Spiritualist, Strindberg the mystic, Strindberg the sensualist, and Strindberg the ascetic took equally important parts in his theatre of life. The critic met him day by day in different attire and pose, incarnations of the elusive self which was stage manager of this extraordinary performance. A soul in conflict with itself, good and evil, fair and foul; sparkling with life and tense with passion to create, he could not give us peace or contentment. Like Jacob, he wrestled with Cod, though not for a night only, but throughout life, and he fought with the desperation of one who knows that upon the issue of the struggle depends, not bis own blessing, but the liberation of countless prisoners." "The misanthropy which breathed poison out of Strindberg's writings, which showed souls and things in hideous nakedness, and painted sores and diseases with horrible realism, was the darkness which lie held high, so as to call forth the cry for light." It is announced that the diary in which, during the last fourteen years, be recorded his visions and supernatural experiences, will not be given to the world for many years to come. Though it depicts the last phase of his spiritual evolution, the postponement of publication is, no doubt, wise. Meanwhile those who have poured curses on Strindberg's blatant atheism have been perplexed by his last words. When death was drawing near he took the Bible —which always lay on the table by his bed—held it up and said in a clear voice, "Everything personal is nowobliterated. I have settled with life. My account has been rendered. This alone is right." He expressed a last wish that the Bible and a little crucifix which he used to wear should be placed on his breast after death, and that he should be buried early iv the morning, and not amongst the rich. He desired to be laid to rest alone on the top of a hill under the firs. The author gives an illuminative account of the life of this strange undisciplined man, and a review of his works, which assist materially in understanding the remarkable position he secured in the literary world of Sweden, a distinction which was attested by an attendance of sixty thousand people at his funeral.