LITERARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 23 June 1923, Page 18

LITERARY.

iA volume of charming Notes and Essays by Aldous Huxley havo been published by Chatto and Windus under the title "On the Margin." They range over such widely separated subjects as English and Italian modes of celebrating centenaries, apropos of the Shelley centenary, and tho manners and customs of Tibet. Among his literary discourses may be specially underlined those on ".Modern Folk-Poetry," Sir Christopher Wren, Ben Jonson, and Chaucer. In "Children of Chance," by Anthony Ctuiyle (Mills and Boon), a series of exciting situations arc evolved from an impossible plot. A music-hall actress, who lias been murdered by her lover, is impersonated by a step-sister who resembles her so closely that intimate friends and lovers are deceived. There ia plenty of scope for all kinds of strange happenings under such conditions. "The Day After Dark," by EmersonGifford Taylor (Mills and Boon), tolls in whimsical vein how a young lady of 10, on her way to the country house of her uncle, escapes into a wood, and there meets a young prince, disguised as a vagabond, who has gone on strike against the restrictions imposed by his >rini.stcrs. They fraternise, and thereby begins a love story which has many ups and downs before it reaches its happy goal. "Rita" has revived memories of her early successes in the 'eighties, in her novel "The Uiigrown-ups" (l'utnams , ), which is dedicated to Sir James Barrie. It lakes the form of the diary oj a girl, the daughter of an author, who was recalled from school to take up borne duties in a household bereft of servants through the war. Beyond an episode in which figures a German spy, a former lover of her mother, the girl's life is one of routine, but reflects a phase of English life during ITie trying four years which called for sacrifices at home as well us at the front. "The Money .Lender Intervenes," by Noel Williams (Stanley Paul), is a talc of Monte Carlo and the Turf. Sir George Hathaway figures prominently in tho story. There is an exciting scene, in the course of which he loses 00,000 francs at the Casino, on the eve of the racing season, and is faced with the necessity of selling two or three of his most promising horses. At tho critical moment he approached a money-lender and raises a loan of £4000. Upon that transaction Kir George's fate hung in the balance, to bo decided by an exciting race at Epsom. "The Lure of Thunder Island," by Leo Walmaley (Herbert Jenkins), has an ingenious plot. Dennis Cleveland was at a loose end. when Fate put him in touch with Dr. FlinJ, the blind scientist. The upshot was that Cleveland agreed to accompany Dr. Flint to Africa in search of a case alleged to contain 40 skulls of great antiquarian interest. Patricia Howard and Dusi Kuan, a sinister Egyptian, become involved in the same quest. The three parties meet at Thunder Island. Whut does tho mysterious case really contain? Upon that hangs a thrilling story of adventure, intrigue, and romance, with touches of comedy. The 1023 edition of "Practical Advertising," 400 pages, aims at the development of Home and overseas markets. The directory section contains references to all tho important newspapers and periodicals in Great Britain, the Dominions, and overseas, with short, analytical surveys of the countries, districts, and towns they serve. The editorial section contains informative articles on interImperial trade, the functions of the trade ami technical Press, the production of good advertising, and kindred subjects. In addition over 100 examples of the year's best advertising are shown in black and white and in colour, and are evidence of the high standard of service rendered to its clients by a fully equipped modern advertising agency. The publishers are Mather and Crowthcr, Limited. 10-13, New Bridge Street, London. A dozen short stories by E. W. Hornung, "Old Offenders, and A Few Old Scores" (John Murray), are introduced by a biographical appreciation of the deceased author from the pen of his brother-in-law. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who says: "He always brought to his work a literary conscience, a fine artistic sense, and a remarkable power of vivid narrative. At his best there is no modern author who, by the sudden use of the right adjective and the right phrase, could make a scene spring more vividly to the eyes of the render. . . . His sympathies were intense, and his point of view clear, nnd when he focussed his powers upon anything which really appealed to him the effect was remarkable." The present collection of stories represents Mr. Ilornung at his best. Humour and tragedy find as ready a setting on a non-stop train journey between Euston and Crowe as at Diamond Creek in Victoria. The present Russian Government, no doubt with a desire to expose the tyranny of the Czarist autocracy, has authorised the publication of many highly important documents relating to Dostocvsky which hitherto have heen preserved in the Russian State Archives. A translation of these documents by S. G-.Koteliansky and J. M. Murry has been published by Messrs. Chatto and Windus. The hook includes a remarkable collection of letters from Dostocvsky to his friend the poet Maikov, and a further series to his wife on the occasion of the Pons!) kin Celebrations; also a very faithful and intimate picture of Dostoevski's life after his return to Russia from the pen of his wife. Some lettersl to Pobiednoszev, the famous Procurator of the Holy Synod, are also included, and, perhaps the most arresting feature of the book', the first section but added at the last moment: a letter written by Dostoevsky to his brother on the morning ho was condemned to death, a sentence which was commuted to penal servitude in Siberia. He describes in vivid language how with three others he waR led out and tied to a pillar for execution with "no more than a minute left for mc to live"; what his thoughts were in those tense moments, and then the reprieve came. He relates the position of his literary works at the moment of his transportation, and pleads in pathetic language that his brother will not forget him in his exile. Those letters are a revelation of. the very soul of a man of genius and of intense feeling. They also give an intimate view of life in Russia in the period between the date of his imprisonment in 1549 and his death in 18S1, when. Pobiedonoszev, in a letter to Alexander TIL (at that time Czarevitch) declared that "His death is a great loss to Puissia.. In the circle of writers he —he alone almost —was an ardent preacher of the fundamental principles of religion, nationhood, love of •country."

The League of Nations expressed the longings of a war weary world for some powerful organisation capable of saving our civilisation from the wreckage with which it was menaced by international jealousies and passions. These sanguine anticipations have not been realised, but the League has not proved altogether barren of good. What it has accomplished, and especially its relation to British foreign policy, is set out Jn a work by Roth Williams, which bears the imprint of George Allen and TJnwin. The author has kept before him a three-fold aim: (Ist) to describe the structure and working of the League of Nations as it is to-day, in the light of the forces that have determined its present organisation and position; (2ndl to give an account of the League of Nations' main achievements a» shaped by the operation of the some forces; and (3rd) to trace the steps by which, through the League, Great Britain could play her part in the resettlement of Europe and tho world. "Sex problems and Their Solution," by Haydn Brown, L.R.O.P. (Mills and Boon), ia intended as a guide to young people of both sexes, to parents and also to tho well-informed reader who desires to know more about sex. In its pages will be found valuable information for schoolmasters and ministers of religion, who have often wished to possess definite pronouncements upon problems which need delicate sensibilities to handle them and experienced capabilities to write decently about them. Tho author considers the subject from the religious and scientific aspects. He says that "scientists and rclicionists are both clamourfor the same thing." Dr. Brown quotes the results of a wide and specialised medical experience, and olTors practical advice to cope with the difficulties that arise in treating abnormal cases. THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. The Earl of Mcath, whose name is widely known as an Imperialist and philanthropist, has undertaken, at the a<*e of SI, to write an autobiography, under the title of "Memories of the Nineteenth Century." As ho never kept a diary and hoe to depend upon memory, correspondence juid other records, it W surprising that/so many incidents are recorded which are of a purely personal land anecdotal character. As a pupil ot Kton during the yearn 1865 to 1850, he experienced tho Spartan discipline whica prevailed in that school sixty years ago: "We were nevor allowed to wear rrentcoaU or any wrap around our necks, but we hardly ever had colds or isore throats; now I believe they arc of ! frequent occurrence. Tho schoolroom* ' and chapel were not heated. There was one room under the headmaster's classroom which contained sixty boys, 1 there was only one small window, which necessitated the door leading to the open air being constantly open. eVen when it raiin-1 or snowed. If the wind were blowing in the direction of the room, tho i master, whose desk was at the entrance, and the nearest boys to him, were coy- , ered with snow or sprinkled witli rain— but we never thought of covering our knees. I remember on one occasion — a very snowy day, a eplendid master, by name" 8.-llston, whom we all loved, and who stoibd some six feet in height, saw 6ome befs 'brushing tho snow from their knees. Ifc stopped, pulled himself to his | full height, and lot fly at the boys, re- | minding them of what their fathers hart endured in founding the Empire in Canada rind in tropical India and Africa." Corporal punishment was administered vigorously and without reepcet to persons. Tho author upholds the system ot \ "fagging," which prevailed in the school. Ilia subsequent tutorial experience at Chipping Norton converted him to the system of co-education of boys and girls j in their teens as tending to competition which wae a stimulus to exertion. During his early service as a clerk in the Foreign Office the author spent a considerable time in Germany and has a good deal to say about the boorishncss of the Prussians, especially of the military class. Incidents rivalling those of tho late war occurred during the war ; between Austria and Prussia in 18GG, and , in Francp-Prussian war of 1870. When engaged as an attache to Lord Augustus Loftus, British Ambassador to Germany, in the years 1300 to 1871, the Prussian antagonism to England wae manifested in gross discourtesies. This hostility was inflamed >by Bismarck, who took no pains ! Ito conceal his ill-will. ! J The Earl of Heath and hie wife, whose [graphic descriptive letters fill some of the most interesting chapters of the book, travelled extensively in Europe, made an interesting journey through Palestine and visited Australia and Now Zealand. Special rcfernnro ia «*» j the attention which tho Earl and his . wife received from Mr. Ballance, who : was Prime Minister at the time of their visit to New Zealand. An interesting account is given of a visit to Patea with Mr. Ballance, for the purpose of settling differences that had arisen between j Maori landlords and their white tenants. The Maoris complained that they had leased their lands to white settlers who refused to turn out, of their holdings aT tho expiration of the leases and were also in arrears of rent. Thereupon the Earl, who is an Irish landlord, remarks: "I felt inclined to shake hands with the j Maori speaker, and inform him that there wore other landlords in a fardistant portion of the Empire who could sympathise with him ih his trouble.' . The author describes the experience of his family during the Fenian rising ot 1567, and other disturbances. Among his personal reminiscences the author gives an entertaining account of his love-making, which had to be carried on under the strict supervision of the parents of the girl whoso affection he strove to win. He popped the question on Sunday, when seated on a bench in tho Long Walk in Kensington Gardens. He observes: "My proposal was made under great difficulties, as she was placed between her father and mother, and I was next to her father, | and had to carry on a conversation with him, and at the same time communicate with his daughter behind his back." However, the union which resulted was a particularly happy one, the Countess being indefatigable in her efforts to pro-1 mote philanthropic schemes for the benefit of girls, among theso movements being the Girte' Friendly Society. The Earl was the chief promoter of the Saturday Hospital Movement, which today yields over £100,000 a year from the working classes towards the support of London hospitals. In the course of this campaign the author spoke at some seventy public meetings, held in all sorts of queer places, including a wagon illuminated by torches at night, from halfformed engines in factories, from the scaffolding of buildings in erection, and, in company with Cardinal Manning, from a platform in Hyde Park, when 20,000 people were present. The "Memories" extend over the long years of a well-spent life, in which an honest endeavour was made in many directions to be of service to his day and generation. '"Memories of the Nineteenth Century." by Reginald, 12th Earl of Meath, K.P. John Murray.

I The weather theso days ia a recurring , decimal of low value. I The Armada ie at last avenged; Spain .. has beaten Britain at tennis. Quotation for tho week: "Such groans of roaring wind and rain I never remember to have heard." —"King Lear." I I A contemporary American poet writes: ] And I remembered summer, like an old ; etory I Told by an old man very long ago. , That's us. ! "Havers is a good golfer," said Hagen nfter lie had been beaten by Havers in the Open Championship of England, "but I beat him at Leeds." Was it necessary to remind the public of that? i Dr: Josiah Oldfield says that when Scots lived on porridge they "became so brainy and hardy that they once filled the best-paid positions tho world over," but now luxurious eating is wasting their vitality. Surely, however, the world is entitled to a "chanco of looking after itself. Really somebody outside her own family should discipline Mdlle. Lenglen. What was the umpire doing when that remarkable young woman, dissatisfied i with his decision, left the court to consult her fattier tearfully as to her course of action? Couldn't he declare her opponont tho winner? I suppose umpires and officials generally are afraid of these champions. I tell tho talc ns 'twna told to mo. In an Auckland business house a new hand received a consignment of goods—let us call them post-holes. The invoice eaid that ten dozen had been forwarded, but ten and a half dozen arrived. The new hand contmlUtl the manager. "What is tho procedure in this office?" he asked, it would be interesting to know what tho j procedure had been in the place he came : from. A correspondent takes mc and other people gravely to task for the way in which tiio services, on the Kaipara line are made fun of. He says he haa observed an enormous improvement in his j time. Once, many years ago, when ho was j [travelling by train towards town, intend- | ing to get off at Kingsland, the guard asked him to go on to Mt. Eden, because if the train pulled up at Kingsland it would be impossible to start it again. Such things, he says, never happen now, and somebody ought to get the credit. j J admit the force of his plea. The passengers are no longer In danger of being attacked by 11 wandering cow, and wo are approaching {he time when the animal will be in danger of its life from the train. Tn a composition a Wailii child throws light upon a local election: "On election day there were a lot of wnlnuts around the streets, oven on the motor ears were i walnuts. Tt was a good hint for all the people to vote for Mr. Walnut. 1 know I that Mr. Walnut got in. Mr. Donaldson never got a look-in: he only got two hundred, and Mr. Walnut cot one million and something—T juft forget now. Some poople say that even the policeman voted j for Mr. Walnut, so after all that voting 1 Mr. Walnut is the Mair of the town and i Mrs. Walnut is Mairest of the town, so ■ she can hold her head up hitfh when she 'goes through the street." This makes it easy to identify "Mairesscs": you can tell them by the way they walk. An American artist tells the follow- ] ing story. "An art critic, who had been j expatiating upon art to a number of his ' friends, speaking of the virtues of this painting and the fnults of that one, finally came to my picture in the gallery : and said: 'Now, you see in this picture that the artist has not learned his trade —it lacks technique and under- | standing. His trees seem to have no jform; they do not stand up; the grass I has no roots. His clouds look like bits lof paper stuck on tho canvas. And here you see he lias resorted to a trick to catch the public eye and has attempted to paint a fly. Now, I would not object jto the fly, had he been able to draw better and make it look like a fly. This fly looks like a lump of mud and has none of the character of a fly.' At this juncture tho fly, having tired of the critic's caek'e. took wing and flew away." Of course this lias no connection with the Auckland Art Society's exhibition. I "In the dusk of the twilight," said a message fnra Wanganui on Monday, "Pirates finally defeated Old Boys by io to 0." This poetical touch is welcome. I shall look forward to local reports being j made brighter by this method —for I example: "On ft cold grey afternoon yesterday, with the sun building a marvellous metropolis of cloud in the west, and .1 mist hanging low over the ground like life brooding up an man's mortality, Grafton defeated Marists by a try that | was a miraclo of rare device." But there is another interesting feature in that Wangami' report. One man received a nasty gash over the eye, and another injured his head and had to be carried off. "Tt was really a line game." This is a little reminiscent of the Irishman who saw a football match for the first time. "What a fine game it would be if they had sticks!" Another lady is annoyed at what I have been saying about women's dress. She says I u*ed to be funny once—or as she" puts it, "A certain amount of pleasure was to bo derived from the perusal of your column" (she must have ibeen reading the city's address to Mr. Massey), but I have lost my reputation since I censured the ladies. She asks mc if I think I am either witty or interesting. Perhaps I had better reply in the famous answer of Mr. Shaw to the man in the gallery who, amid a chorus of approval at the end of a firstnight performance, "booed" his dissent. "I quite agree with you, my friend," said Mr. Shaw looking up at the gallery. "but what can we two do against all these people?" I can only ask my critic to be indulgent, and continue to do what all sensible people do—read this j column. Only I be?; hor not to address | mc as Mr. "Zamuel." I don't deserve it. I