LITERARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 258, 29 October 1921, Page 23

LITERARY.

i brief history of the parly days of Church in the Auckland diocese, lor Z most part compiled trom personal collections, ha* teen written by Canon Harden. The first chapter deals with f h ; missionary work of Alandcn and L C illjaffls , while the second chapter goes „„ to deal with the coming of Bishop Mwyn and the building up of the rtnrch in New Zealand. The next chapdealing with the establishment of t-eneral and dioccsan synods, is especially valuable, as not only is the writer rcc oiTiitcd authority on these matters, Int his Ion" personal experience of their mrkiD" lias enabled him to appreciate how much the Church has gained from win" the fullest powers of self-govern-ment Instead of being tied to the State, in England. He lays emphasis on fact that many clergymen and laymen, on their arrival from the Old Land have been quick to appreciate the gain, and he quotes one bishop as having said - that ti, c Church in Xew ieaJand was the ' : [k>4 organised church in the Anglican communion." The remaining chapters complete the history down to the death i of Bishop Cowic, and they show the] nr i"in of most of those philanthropic and charitable institutions to which we owe so' much to-day. The publishers arc i Ciiamptaloup and Edmiston. "A Gift of the Dusk," by R. 0. prowse (Collins), gives a pathetic pictare of life in a sanatorium in the Swiss | mountains, where the residents are' chiefly voung people- suffering from phthisis" The story turns upon the springing up of love between two of those patients, and their hesitancy about | marrying, in v 'ew of the disease with which they are smitten. The yearning for mutual comfort finally overcomes all scruples, and the novelist leaves the issue in the mists of uncertainty. Our copy from Whitcombe and Tombs. The ''Strand Magazine" for September gives prominence to some new stories of the King and Prince of Wales told by Mr. Brooks, 0.8. E., official photographer, who accompaned the Prince on his tour in the "Renown." He observes that "His Majesty often sacrifices appearance for comfort. Indeed, whilst in conversation with him not long'ago, I noticed that one of the shoes he was wearing was adorned with a patch." The author mentions How tlic favourite photo of the Frince of Wales, known as "Our Smiling Prince, was obtained. The Royal party had just j entered a prohibition area, and the Prince was signing the visitors' book, when one of the party, at the photographer's suggestion, said, "Be careful sir-vou're signing the pledge!" At which the Prince lifted up his head and revealed a beautiful smile. "My shutter clicked," adds Mr. Brooks, 1 and I had taken the most popular picture of the Prince ever published." | Madame Carrie Seegner has recently . published a dfcvotionally written anthem in the key of E fiat major, which Admirably reflects the prayerful spirit of the poem. The melody is nicely flowing and singable, excepting in bar six, when the soprano skip of more than an octave from E flat to B flat is far too distant, and detracts from the general smoothness of the rest of the music. With an alteration of this and subsequent intervals to a higher place on the stave the anthem should prove attractive and worthy the attention of those seeking for this class of music. The same composer has also published a song entitled "Britons All" to words by Jessie Maclean. It is arranged ill the samo key as the sacred piece. The setting has a fine swing, and of a martial character. The music is mostly in chordal crotchets in common time. There is a rousing chorus and an attractive theme. The song would prove very acceptable in places where a stirring piece of music is required.