LIBER'S NOTE BOOK

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1704, 22 March 1913, Page 9

LIBER'S NOTE BOOK

A Famous Book Illustrator. Of nil the many beautifully-illustrated "presentation" editions of British classics which.made thbir appearance during tho winter publishing senson in London, there is no. volume in which tho artist has caught and identified himself so thoroughly with tho. very spirit and intention of the author than'in the fino quarto edition of Goldsmith's famous comedy, "She Stoops to Conquer," with its superb illustrations, in delicate- tints, rather than what is , generally understood as colour, by Hugh Thomson, a.copy,of which has reached mo . from Messrs. Hoddor and Stoughtoni through Messrs. S. and W. Siaekay.' Somo years ago a famous American artist, tho late Sir Edwin W. Abbsy, did a scries of illustrations (in "Harper's Magazine") for tho saiiio play. ' They were greatly admired, indeed,' that excellent judge'of. pen draughtsmanship, Mr. l'-enneil, has declared thoin. to to the finest black, and white illustrations ever produced. 'I am inclined to .think, however, that Mr. Hugh Thomson has bettered even Abbey's designs. Hβ gives .its , twonty-h'vq .fullrpago plates executed in tint's—reproductions of original ; water : colours—and a number'of equally charming '-designs in black and white, Sele'cj tion is difficult, but to my mind the artist has boon most successful; with Mr: and Mrs. Hardcastlo.and tho,inimitable Tony Lumpkin.'- Tho handsome young.gallant, Mnrlow, is also a "success, but both in Miss ITardcastle nml Miss Neville there is hardly that suggestion of character in the faces which should be there. Whero Air. Thomson spceiatfy shines,, is, in the backgrounds and envirohnient generally of-his figure studies. . The furniture, the ornamentation, the drossos, are all of-the true-Georgian type—never is there a decorative- anachronism. Needless to say, too-,.that Jlf. Thomson's dogs are excellent; indeed, I am of (hose who believe that in tho drawing of. horses' and dogs this clever artist is in no way tho inferior of his talented predccfssor, tho late Ran-, dolph Caldecott, memories of whose delightful Christmas and hunting pictures, in the early years of ."The Graphic," ar'g still, I make no doubt, cherished by some of the older of my readers. Mr.' Thomson has mnde'' a, speciality of-pictures of English life—especially country life—of the Georgians and early Victorian periods; Ho has illustrated some of Jane Austen's novels; Mrs. Gasfoll's "Cranford," and in his drawings for "Esmond" has'rivalled and surpassed ' tho late George' , ', du Miuiyier.. , Ho has nlso done i-so-mb ndmirablo'" drawings -for .Mr. 'Austin Dobson's poems,.and last year he gave us Eonio capital illustrations to a new'edition (similar in format to tho one now under notice) of Sheridan's "School -for Scandal." As a birthday or wedding prpssnt—how is it that really handsome bo'o.ks jo rarely figure amongst weddini? presents in the country?—l could not well imagine a niora .delightful-gift than this-fine old classic, "Slie Stoops to Conquer," with its delicately-tinted illustrations, ,* ita punevb typography, its ornate'.vet tasteful cover, design, the whole enshrined in a'stout cardboard box.'all- ready to bo dasitttchedi to scmio lucky recipient.

Encyclopaedias foMhe. Million, , ■ •'lf is not everyone who can afford to, purchase such a costly, though admittedly superb, work of .reference as tho En-cyclopaedia-.Britannica-. Even • Chantber's's, by far'the best, "working" ency : olopaedia that I know of, runs-into some six or seven pounds. But, this is tho day of.cheap bopks, and many wJio cannot spare tlio money. necessary tor tho possession of a "Britannica" or a "Chambers," will be glad to know that at what is quite a modest outlay, they can:now obtain on excellent encyclopaedia which will meet all ordinary, requirements. Two such works are now 011 ttio market. Ono, Nelson's Encyclopaedia, consists 'of twenty-five neatly-bound volumes, tho same sizo as that of tho well-known Nelson Shilling Library .volumes, tho price, being a shilling net (in New Zealandvfifteenpence). The print is clear, and tho .variety and completeness of the information quite astonishing, in view of tho low price, charged for the work. Based, so I understand; on the Harmsworth Encyclopaedia, the articles in -this new encyclopaedia issued by Nelsons have been brought up to date, in many cases being largely re-written, and supplemented by hundreds of entirely new articles, -under headings which did not appear; in 'tho Harmsworth work. Cheap as is Messrs. Nelson' 9 work, tho enterprising publishers of "Everyman's Library" ...ore. now issuing a yet. more modostly-nriced work on the "samo lines. This is Encyclopaedia," , the first volume, ol' which can now be seen at tho local bookshops. . To- bo completed in twelve volumes at fifteenperfce each for the cloth edition (New Zealand price), the "Everyman Encyclopaedia-'-,-is.'a veritable marvel of combined 'excellence and cheapness. I have compared (he jtwo works very, carefully, bufeach has special features of.its own, and I must; therefore refrain from nny suggestion ns to.which is'thc superior. Personally, I should like to possess both works.

In "The Cables." Two items of interest to book lovers appear in the cables this week. First, the death of William Halo ' White, ■ whoso pseudonym was "Mark Eutherford," and, second, "tho report that.Lady ;Clifl?ord, better known as Mrs. De la Pasture (not "Pasteur") has been stricken down by yellow fever at Accra, on- the West Coast of Africa.- "Mark Rutherford" was tho author,of quite a number of books— "The Autobiography: of Mark Rutherford" and "Pages from a Journal" are perhaps the most notable—in which was reflected a deeply-Teliigous, if not always strictly orthodox spirit. Ho was an occasional' contributor to ' "The Nation." A goodlv number of people in New Zealand will be very Son:#* to hear tho bad news about Lady Clifford, for as Mrs. De la Pasture she has written somo very delightful novels, which I know have many admirers in Wellington. Her first husband spent, I believe, two or three years in New Zealand, about tho eighties. Her second husband, Sir Hugh Clifford, is also a well-known author, a frequent -contributor to "Blaokwood's" and tho "Comhill." Ho has occupied many important posts linder the Colonial Office, and had, n lengthy connection with tho ■ Straits Settlement.To Whom it May Concern. Why will persons who borrow books neglect to return them? I liavo bwn,a frequent sufferer from-the evil deeds of book borrowers, butito-dny I am specially moved to indignant remonstrance with tho bcok-borrowinsf tribo in. that, going to mv'shelves to tako down a copy of Lady Clifford's (Mrs. De la Pafjhtre-'s) story, "Tho Tyrant," I find ~it missing.. And this is doubly annoying in that this particular cony contained'an interesting autograph letter from Mrs. De la Pasture concerning her litemry work and various newspaper cuttings of biographical and critical interest. If the culprit should notice this paragraph, will he, or shfr-I am afraid it is the latter—pleaso Totu.rn at once? "No questions asked!"

Books on the Balkan, War. A flood of books on the Balkan War was, of course, to bo expected, despite tho fact, notorious by this time, that prc-c-ions few of tho correspondents over, saw any of tho' fighting. Bnt tho books aro ooming out all the same. Tho first batch includes; "With the Conquered Turk: the Story of a Latter-Day Adventurer," by Lionel .Tames (Nelson, 25.); "With the Turks in Thrace," by Kllis'Ashmead Bartlett (Heinomann,' 10s.); and "With tho Victorious Bulgarians," by Lieutenant H. Wagner, war correspondent of the "R-eichs-post" (Constable, 7s. 6d.). Judging by re-

.views in. tho London "Times" (Literary : Supplcnient, February C), Mr. James's book is well worth two shillings, and Ashmead Bartlott's account of tho battle of Lido Burgas is_ commended. As for Liou- ! tenant Wagner's Account of the campaign, "The Times" critic is evidently suspicious of tho boim-fuk-s of certain of its descriptions, but, nevertheless, allows tho author "overy credit for his intelligence'and application." Other. books on the • war arc announced for early publication. .

Somo Magazines. : In tho January "Studio" a notable feature is Marion Dixon's article on -tho paintings of Philip Connard, one of tho cleverest members of tho New. English Art Club, and an artist whoso- work ■ is yearly coming ' into higher esteem. Mr. Coiinard's stylo reminds one somewhat of that of William Orpen, but ho is fonder of plein air work than Orpen- Th ereproductions.of Coiinard's work—somo in colours—which accompany -the article, oxo very, charming. C. Lewis Hind-writes on the work of an American'landscape painter, W. Elmer-Schofield, and other articles deal' with a recent Arts and Crafts Exhibition at tiie Grosvenor Gallery; the Layard' Collection at Venice—a. collection which is, later on, to be housed in tho British National Gallery; and "Recent Designs in Domestic Architecture." 'iStudio Talk" includes letters from various art oentres, aihongst which is a brief but interesting account, by Mr. Charles Wilson, of the British Art Exhibition held i|i Wellington last year. ■ I notice that Mr., Wilson includes in tlic list of pictures acquired - for the .Wellington permanent collection, R. W 7 . Allan's "Port Soy."- This is .an error, for although the .picture was. ono of tho pictdres first selected by the council, its place in the final selection was takeu by a much- smaller and inferior specimen, of Mr. Allan's work.

• Tho "Bookman" for' February .(Hodder and Stoughton) contains a long and interesting article ,on Charles Iteade, a novelist and play-wright of the Victorian period, who will "to lwst remembered -by that superb historical romance, "The Cloister and tho Hearth," and his delicatelyhumorous play, "Masks and Faces." The article, which is from ,'tho. pen of Mr. Lewis Melville, is illustrated by reproductions of' tho plates by George Du Maurier and other artists, which accompanied some, of Keade's novels • when published serially. Other good features fn the/"Bookman" are articles Lv Thomaj Se'cconibf. on Professor Georgo Saintsbury, and on the .work of that versatile and brilliant young writer, Maurice Baring, who visited New Zealand a few months ago. .' ~ • ■ In the : March number of ' The Windsor" (Ward Lock j>er Mncbay's), .tho usual and-opening 1 ar.t essay by Austin Chester deals Svith the work of Philip H. Calderon; R.A., whoso • genre and anecdotic studies were (jreatly- esteemed in the sbventies.-nnd eighties of .'the last century. There, is a liberal supply of roadalile;fiction and,, some serve by Stephen Phillips, Doi'a Higerson Shorter, and others. Fiction bulks largely-in "Cassall's, Magazine" for February (irer Maek»y's), which is.'really an. astonishing good - sixpennywortli of li.«;h't reading.- 1 Lliave also to acknowledge tlvo February issue of "The Girls' Realm" (,Cass3ll's),' a well-established favourite,, in ttihieh' entertainment and-, instruction are agreeably -blended..

S.tray'Leaves. ! ~ i Lucrezia- Borgia is the principal figure in "The Sho AVojf," si translation of llaxime Formont's "Roman d'uiio Louye." '• New- Zealand novelists—to your pens and ink! Tho "Bookman".announces a,.£1000 Colonial lMzo Novel Competition,'.£2so being 'allotted for .the "host-, new ■ novel by an 'Australian or N T ew Zealand author. I'pr' particulars . see' the "Bookman" for 4'ebtuary'. '' • . j;Kigah*Paul and Qo.'issue.a shilling book of selections of fair Frederick' AVedmore's earlier, essays on art.. -Those of my renders who are interested in the.history-of etching, should make, a note'of this, for Wedmore is'admittedly the (highest English Authority 611 the work of Seymour. Baden, W,histler, and other great etchers. . ;> i At last that fine and wonderfully-cheap serita, "Tho . Century Bible," published Jack, of Edinburgh, • in thirty-four pocket' volumes, has been .completed by :tho a voldnio ori Daniel!-by Professor E. H. Charles. "The Century" is, I am assured 011 good' authority, the best student's 'edition of tho' Holy that .exists^'. ; Three new volumes in tho "Home and I.University Library" (Is.. 3d.) proniiso.'to ■bo worpi reading... These , aro "Napoleon," by . Herbert I'isher; , "Comparative Religion," by Professor'Estlin' Carpenter; and "The Victorian Ago in Literature;" by Gilbert K.- Chesterton.