NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20250, 30 May 1931, Page 13

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

ALMOST A CLASSIC. Grocn Hell. By Jul /in Duguld. Jonathan Capo. (10s 6d not.) Mr Duguid tells us that this is his first book, and the wrapper that lie Is "only twenty-eight." Tho two facts perhaps explain why alligators and tarantulas both have obscene eyes, why Sail Juan drips history and Asuncion is drenched in it, why (all these days after Aloysius Horn) an Australian should say "There wus a whole crowd o£ us ijits, full of devil and joy do vcever, with about as much sense as an expectant mother," and why Mr Duguid talks occasionally liko an 'uudorgraduate fresh from Aldous Huxley. For tho book is almost a classic. It is a picture, and almost a history, of a continent in 344 pages. Mr !Duguid went to South America in responsa to "tho urge of Ishmael"; but becauso the "voice of Sarah is raised at tea-parties," and "Sarah's favour counts for a good deal in the race for a living," he pretended that his purpose was explore tion. It was a lie; 'and a lie also that Mamerto Urriolagoitia, Conßul-Qeneral in London for Bolivia, and J. C. BeoMason, Polar explorer and cinematographer, were asked to go out by*the Bolivian Government. But they covered up the lie by doing the thing they had not especially iutended- They did explore; antfc they did serve Bolivia; and they did mako pictures and write history. Their journey through Greon Hell —a block of forest so vast that "some six hundred different breeds of Indians flit like fleas through the green covering of its skin"—lasted a year, and it is impossible to over-rate Mr I»uguid's performance in getting it all into a book of a hundred thousand words which no one who reads it will ever be able to forgot. It is South America physically, South America spiritually, South. America as it was three hundred years ago and has since become. One of the chief changes—the expulsion of the Jesuits, and the consequent lapse of the Indians into a cross betwoen barbarism and Christianity, "with the Spirit fled from each"-rris described so frankly, .but with so much sympathy and intelligence; that the reader is dull whose mind remains where it was. But it is as a joyous adventurer, a hind let loose and a scholar run wild, that Mr Duguid .should be introduced to readers. He can write as wcill, at his best, as Hudson at hip best, and no 6ne since Sterne has condensed more cunningly. If his Worst is a trial—adjectives, puns, atmosphere, and smartness—he never tries ns long or blunts our appetite for the next page. THE REBELS. . Father. By tho Author of "Elizabeth and . Her German Garden.'' M^cmlUan. When the celebrated author Richard Dodge married anain; late ih life, he very nobly made up his mind that the change should make no difference to his daughter Jennifer. His homo in Gower street was still to be hers. But Jennifer very joyfully made up her mind that her responsibility was at an end. She could lay down her car® for his fame and his health, and the whole tyrannical system of life in Gower street, and plant her own happiness in some'ufltldy, free garden patch in the country. She rented cottage at Cherry Lidgato froin another prisoner, the Reverend Jatnes Oilier, whose gaoler was his sister Alice. James also rose in rebellion under the strange influence _of his tenant, and the bpst things in t&e hook are the episodes of his There - is, for instance, the great battle. with Alice oyer tho basket Pf apricots, which she intended for .Lsdy Higgs, and ho violently , diverted t® Jennifer. There is the excellent comedy of tho double plot in Switzer* land, where James deserts Alice, f m order to rush home and set a" right With. Jennifer, Alice deserts James, order to rush homo and get 'rid Jennifer, and they meet on the station and travel omo together, at grjps all the way., "Good God, Alice," ho suid, when, .tb? train slowing down to quiet at lifton, lie hfcd no need for a moment to go on shouting, "good God, can't you see that what you ve got t6 do is to be friends with Jenhiler, ohd then we shall be happy all ronndi" . Jennifer I "How —iow dare you I she gasped. ■ ... : . ■ , "Dare what! tMro tell you wo can be happy all round?" "l)are to say God tome,", gasped Alice, bejjido iwrsoif at bis calling the vropia.fi for. ''You Bwearing—you a clfcrgyman-=-t4 o]hr damn boins a clergymßn!'' fttteft .Tames, very loud; .so loud that, .had there any Epglish or Americans in that coach, the train being at a standstill ibey, must have heard him. And tlio French passengers, their, eyes heavy from want of sleep, watching tue unt controlled and formidable pair still at it in the oorridor even though it waß now another day, supposing thorn to be husband and wife, and marvelling at sorts of persons the nntives ot Britain married, groaned in profound disgust, "Quel mfinagol*' The author of "Elizabeth and her Germail Garden" does not want for wit, er a pretty, sentimental grace; nor, . when a little ruthlessnesß iB necessary, does she hesitate. Jennifer nd J times I must not bo bothered at Cherry Lid- j gate; ana so she inflicts, each upon the j other, Alico and Mr Devenish, who had ] been so (unpleasant to Jennifer about his overcoat and about the snails and eggshells and sardiAe-tins thrown over the wall into the churchyard. And Bichard Dodge, just at the point when he is about to make an impediment of himself again, "dropped off, as he wished, to sleep, and after sleep dropped off, as he didn't wish, but it, *fraa of no dbnSeqiieuee bedause he wasn't aware of it, to death." \ THE FOUNDER OF QUAKERISM. George rex: Seeker and Friend, 3y Enfus M. joiies. Allen and 'Cnwiii. (5a net.) This study of George Fox, "the greatest of the moderns," as Carlyle called him Dr. Rufus Jonep, the distingjuished liistorian of Qilukeriam, is an admirable example of a short and sympathetic biogi-aphy, which aims at recognising the greatness of its subject without concealment of his weaknesses. "Everyone/ who con-, fronted him. personally," wrote William Jumes, "from Oliver Cromwell down to County Magistrates and jailers, seemed to have acknowledged his superior powers." In pages of singular beauty, Div Jones reveals what those powers re: moral austerity, indomitable cOnragc, unswerviuz devotion, tireless evangelistic fceaH and, .ibovo all, the, strong personal religion wtilch. is tiio central interest oi thoso who read his lifo, as of liini who lived it, Dr. Jenei's analysis of {hat religion is profouudly interesting. His descriptions of tl)0 early struggles of Fg* and his f6l|o\vers, both in Great Britoin afid in America, ire unforgettable ; his expositions of their doctrine ai'id polity clear and seholajv ly. 4nd above its learning and ability ahd tile charm of its lucid style rises the temper of the book. It is the work of a writer to whoso other brilliant gifts has been - ndded the roost excellent; gift of charity. Once it is takeli up fhero is no fear whatever, of its not being read through to the . end".

CATHEDRALS AT HOME. (i) The Cathadrals of Ctro&t Britain. Br P. H. DltehArtd, M.A.. A.B.A. J. M. Sent and Sona, Ltd. (7s 3d net.) (U) The Cathedrals of England and Wale*. By 3. Francis Bumpus. T. Werner Laurie, ltd. Canon Ditchfield's book is the fourth edition, revised and enlarged, of the work which he first published in 1902. Dealing with all the cathedrals of England and WaleH, together with such important churches (not properly cathedrals) as . Westminster Abbey, Beverley Minster, Bath Abbey, and the ancient churches of Scotland, which, before 1688, ranked as cathedrals, it fills ov6r 500 closely printed pages; The author gives tho history of each seo and its cathedra], fully describes tho main architectural features, both exterior and interior, and indicates the vicissitudes and dangers through which these have passed; and he adds a list of tho principal monuments and tombs to be found in each building, and, whero these are especially noteworthy, of the figures contained in rcrcdos or doorways, and of tho subjects commemorated in stained glass windows. The book is copiously, illustrated, with photographs and line drawings; and of most of the cathedrals ground plans are provided, with tho principal dimensions and the more important building dates. Places of interest in the neighbourhood are also mentioned, and a brief indication is given of theit chief attractions. A short glossary of architectural terms is provided. In spite of the large amount of information given, the book is by V 6 means and the price is exceedingly moderate. Mr Bumpus's beok is in ono way less ambitious, in another more bo. He confines his attention to those churches Of England and Wales—rhis scheme naturally excludes Scotland-^—which are properly of cathedral rank; but to deal with all these as adequately as he has clone, in so small a compass, and so interesting a manner, is a considerable achievement. Less detailed than Canon Mf Bumpus's book nevertheless contains within its 400 pages more information, architectural and historical, than will be hastily assimilated by any but the most worthy of the tourists for whom this pocket (but unabridged) edition is designed.- The little volume is admirably illustrated by 56 particularly pleasing half-tone reproductions of photographs and paintings. CftfCKET. Crickot Up to Bate. 3y E. 11. p, 3owe'l. John Wurtay. (7s 6d net.) ' Yet another writer * comes forward with an answer to the question/"What is wrong with English cricket!" The author has been intimately associated with the game, as a player and a? a critic, for over forty years, and in many respects lie seomsto have reached the root of the trouble. His chief argu*meats are directed againt t the methods of professional coaches whom he blames for the lack of enterprise ill modern batting. His own ideas on the subject of coaching are put forward clearly and convincingly. Other topics discussed are:- the effects of recent legislation, the dropping of Ohapman, the way to get Bradman out, the introduction of i the five-ball over as an aid to bowlers; and why Australia regained the Ashes. The book' is well written, with oecasiottal sparkles of real wit, and the ideas oppressed provide administrators, umpires, and players with ample food for thought. 'Lord Hawke has written a preface and there ftro some good illusi tfations. ET PJSAETgRgA NIHILTfca Swcrd. By Alfred Qordors Bennett. Tig Sulfide litd. (6a bet.) Mr Bennett's poetry,, which was reviewed here some weeks ggo in a collected edition, is the voice of passion without its body of conviction, la this dramatic interlude, a dialogue between Prince Aziz and the daricfer iJohrah;, it la never less fervent or more impressive, than the following: PRINCE AZIZ (Se&pairiagly)' . And yet it is dapfeed I Must And mysel£-r-a wife 1 ZQHHAH (A yave of passion vibrating through her at the. wprds) ' Yallalil A To pace these halls X have so trod, Encircled by A tin—and 16d " By yeu, as though by Godf (Tet nx>rs passionately) A Wife I To lay- her painted lips Where mine have Tilisg..' Draining thss u|t?ipst sweetness from The edition is limited t,o 300 eopies. FLORAL TALfiS. THj6 littehds 6t JTCowdf?. By Sable Manttaaffca. T. WSrher Z>auri«, Ltd. (8t . 64 net.) liovers of flowers helve, always been interested in legends built &bbut thoir fayp writes, - {Signer Mantegazza has A lively fancy, which enables him to tell very gracefully how the cornflower waft sent to.earth, how the dahlia was cOn-> ceivcd, and how tho honeysuckle came to lie tho gift of Vehtis. Eaeh gt the stories creates a of character in a far-away world, and is told irith some delicacy of phrase and with agreeable humour. The translation is by Mm AlGjtanddr Kennedy, Atod the illustrations by A. Gdtlish'.