NEW BOOKS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 455, 13 March 1909, Page 9

NEW BOOKS.

"This, My Son," by Rene Bazin. London, Georgo Bell and Sons. Wellington: Whitcombe and Tombs.

M. Bazin is regarded as the pioneer of a now school of realism in French literature. This is not the realism that delights in things unpleasant and tries to cut tho poetical out of life. It is tho realism of those who hope and sympathise, who strive for better things, whose hearts beat for tho "under dog," and who sco the romance which is always a part of reality. In previous novels, M. Bazin has appeared, as tho champion of ono or other section of the poor, but in "/Phis, My Son," ho works as tho artist rather than the social reformer. The story may be described as a tragedy, relieved by a pastoral setting. It tells of the devastating conJlict between a passion

of mingled love and ambition on tho one side, and tho social traditions of rural J'ranco on the other. Each succeeding chapter shows tho author more clearly as a keenly perceptive artist, and one- who knows tho human heart. Tho story lias that inevitableness which is ono of- tlio marks of the great play, or tho great novel, and yet it is always tender, graceful, picturesque, bomo of tho chapters, whilo duly carrying on tho story, aro in themselves complete prose _ poems. Tho diameters are drawn with insight, and yet with a careful attention to external detail, whilo their surroundings, especially in tho farm life of La \ endeo, are sketched with tho touches of a master. There aro no protracted descrip- )»« the book is thoroughly and beautifully I'rench—but there is a curious felicity in tho frequent details of the work, the pleasures, tho dress, and tho old-world customs of tho Vondeoan peasantry. The translators might have been a little more careful in revision, but they have caught the spirit—the fine, sweet, human spirit— of this admirable book.

"Lays from Maoriland." By Wm. D. Stenhouse, M.D. Paisley: Alexander Gardner,

Dr. Stenhouso lias, for very many years, been known in Otago as an enthusiastic lover of Scottish literature—he is the president of tho Dunodin Burns Club—and a writer of pleasant verse. His latest publication is a very handsome piece- of bookmaking—consists of about one hundred pieces. None of them can rank high as poetry, but thoy are all neatly turned, and many aro of considerable merit. Probably Dr. Stenhouso would bo tho first to admit that his work will not hear the application of tho tests for .flue poetry. It is doubtless as a genial and enthusiastic cultivator of metrical writing and nothing more, that he would, like to be accepted. In one of his long pieces, "A Scholar's Weird," we find the following stanza: —

He to Theology from Arts had passed. But Greek and Hebrew ho must still pursu.;; Exegesis and Church History, and last. Divinity—all theso he must pass through. - We quote this ridiculous stanza only to make our point. It is rarely that the author sinks to such a low level. Indeed, in many of his "songs of the affections"— to use an old-fashioned classification, there is abundance of grace, vigour, and feeling.. And Dr. Stenhouse never writes halting verse, or palms off defective rhymes on the reader. Ho is best in his Scottish pieces, and these, wo can say without reserve, will afford keen pleasure to lovers of lively and sprightly verse.

In "The Hermit and the Wild Woman, and other Stories" (Macmillan's Colonial Library), Mrs. Wharton maintains her skill in graphic narrative and her distinguished stylo. Tho best and most striking of these stories is "The Last Asset," a remarkable study of a scheming woman—thick-skinned and strong-willed—who induces everybody to assist her in her plans even when they, heartily disapprove- of her "and them. The of tho stories in this volume is very wicki, but all are dramatic and weird studios of temperament.

Albert Kinross puts to effective use in "Joan of Garioch" (Macmillan's Colonial Library) his experiences as a newspaper correspondent in Russia at tho time of tho revolution. His thrilling and sensational book concerns tho adventures of tho hero whilo searching for Joan, his lost lovo, who lias marrjed a mysterious Count do Jaruac. The marriage, made for money, in order to savo the family honour involved by disastrous speculations, is followed by the disappearance of the count and his bride. In the course of his search tho hero becomes entangled/in the practical working of tho Riga revolution, of the strange features of which ho gives us an absorbing account. The- villain dp Jarnac is ono of tho Grand Dukes, and tho secret head of tho revolutionary movement. On his death tho true story of Joan's disappearance is disclosed. Despite its weaknesses, "Joan of'Garioch" is incomparably superior to most, of ■ the sensational novels of Russian intrigue. ■

TUien Barry Pain and James Blyth wrote The Luck of Norman Dale" (Bell's Colonial m al 7 - , Whitcombo and lombs). they did no sorvicc to the creed that luck is a. thing not to be relied upon. Tho story is of a clever unscrupulous man, who has made a fortune by methods which would have landed him in gaol had he been found out. His career is ono of unbroken success. Successful in love, as in everything else, ho contrives that his life-long enemy shall not only give up his intended wifo to him, but his lifo also, being killed by a discharged workman who mistakes him for Dale—surely /very hard luck for him.

Catherine's Child" (Bell's Colonial Library. Wellington: AVhitcombo and Tombs) is Mrs; Henry do la Pasture's latest novel, and " will bo enjoyed by tho admirers of this pleasant 'writer. Ihore aro some excellent character studios in this talo of tho revolt of a headstrong and selfish girl against parental control, and her adventures in London. Tho Chilcott family aro an interesting group of characters, upon whom the authoress uses her studious paint-brush with her accustomed skill in zealous portraiture.

In "Young Nemises" (Bell's Colonial Library. Wellington: AVhitcombe and Tombs) Frank Bullen solemnly sets himself to clear away the romance and glamour that has for many generations enveloped the doings of pirates and mado them such a fascinating theme for young people, who have "come to look upon tales of piracy as the choicest the .delightful of all stories of tho sea. ' In his introductory passages tho author says: "Now, of all the actions that deserve tho reprobation of God and man piracy stands easily first. It embraces all other crimes and all other vices. It lias not ono single redeeming feature." This viow ho emphasises all through the book, tho hero of which, having lost parents and sisters in an attack by pirates, dedicates his life to their extermination. Tho accounts of the numerous engagements aro gory enough to satisfy tho most exacting youth, while ( tho description of the atrocities practised on their unfortunate victims by the freebooters should bo sufficient to dispel any illusions ho might have regarding them. Though hardly up to the standard of Mr. bullen s earlier works, it will, no doubt, be greatly appreciated by those for whose benefit it was written. There are several very good coloured illustrations.

A batch of education works from the lutorial Press reaches us from T. C. Lothian Melbourne. "School Hygiene" (2s. 6c1.), h.v Dr. Robert Lyster, is a very thorough manuel that might, with advantage, receive the attention of our own educational authorif' es n nT, of Geography" (4s. 6d.), by G. Cecil Fry, is intended for the upper forms of schools, and is very much- more like what a geography should be, in manner and matter, than tho awful masses of dull facts that used to worry and discouragechildren. Ihe arrangement is beautifullv clear, and,irrelevant details are eschewed. JJe note bytlm way, that .the author thinks that the Midland Railway is a completed work. "Plant Biology" (3 S . 6d.), by Ur. i<. Cavers, is modern, scientific, and thorough, and should bo of great service to teachers anxious to apply modern methods. There are valuable appendices, nnd.soiro exhaustive "bints on practical work." Professor Weltnn is the author of "Principles and Methods of Teaching" (4s. 6:1.), in which tho psychology of teaching has a larger, part than inmost older books on tho subject. Mr. W. P. Woftifon writes on "Principles and Methods of Physical Education and Hygiene" (4s.)—a thoroughly excellent manuel. Rivington's send "Momentary Greek Exercises" (2s Gd ) by tho Rov. A. E. Hillard. and C. G. —n comprehensive introduction to North and Hillard's "Greek Prose."