BOOKS and AUTHORS.

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 148, 10 March 1923, Page 19

BOOKS and AUTHORS.

BY

LIBER.

Give a man a pipe he can smoke. Give a man a book he can read: And hie home is bright with a calm delight Though the room be. poor IHOMaOB .

BOOKS OF THE DAY.

"The New Zealand Wars.” "The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the 11011eering Period,” bv James Gowan, F B G.S., Vol- 1, 1845-1864 (Well.ngton, the Government Printer). Mr. Cowan is to be congratulated upon the remarkably efficient and satisfactory manner in which he has discharged the first part of the monumental literary task with which this industrious and careful writer has been so wisely entrusted by the Government. that tasK was to compile and write what will be, when completed, the first connected and comprehensive narrative of the Maori wars that we have had. It is safe to say that so important and onerous a task could not have been en trusted to better hands. Mr. Cowan is a keen stickler for accuracy, and never considers personal trouble and work when he is making historical researches. Also, he possesses Mint Has now developed into an excellent literary style. He is never ponderous and stilted, but, on the other hand, his narrative is possessed of a certain dignity as well as ease. The first result of his later historical labour is io be regarded as eminently satisfactory. The record of the Maori Wars as here set forth in a compact and yet fascinating narrative commences with Hone Heke’s war in the north in 18-15-46. This is followed by the Wellington campaign in the second of those years, and bv the war at Wanganui in 184<. The author then proceeds to relate the stirring story of the first and second Taranaki wars, 1860, ld6l. a "d ’ the Waikato war in 1863-4; the lauranga campaign in 1864. In a succeeding volume of which, so we/ arc glad to hear, the manuscript is fully prepared and ready for the printer, Mr Cowan will deal with the first Hauhau war, Taranaki, 1864-66; tho Opotiki and Matata operations, and the Fast Coast war,. all in 1865; the fighting Tauranga and Rotorua district in 1861, Titokowaru’s war on the West Goast, 1868-69, and the various campaigns against Te Kooti. . It is a most romantic and fascinating story that Mr. Cowan has set himself out to tell, the story of splendid gallantry on both sides, of heroic struggles by the Native race for the preservation of its independence, and by the Knglish soldiers and European settlers lor the prestige of their flag and the security of their homes- On both sides at first there was a mutual contempt for the enemy, a contempt born of misunderstanding and refusal to look haid facts squarely m the face. In his vl y first chapter, ‘‘The Old Race and ►he New,” Mr. Cowan writes: — It was the last and unavoidable test, when bayonet met A On S-handied tomahawk, and when lJnti.su artillery battered Maori stockades, that the two races came to gauge each other's manly calibre, and came, finally, to respect «ach. other for the capital values that only trial of war can bring to mutual view. For all the reverses that befell the ill-planned and unskilfully-conducted . British cliorts in the field in the early campaicns. the shrew Maori divested himself of his illusions of military superiority; he came to realise that he had at last met his mutch and henceforth his concern was deep lest the incoming shiploads of whites should wipe him off tho face of his ancestral lands. On the Europeans side, the concert which had found expression in the declared opinion that a company of British Grenadiers could march from end to end of New Zealand and carry all before them was quickly exchanged for an admission that the naked Maori was a, better warrior than the heavily-armed British soldier. man for man, in the forest environment in which he had been schooled to arms and the trail from infancy. Each admitted the other’s pre-eminence unaer certain conditions, apd each protnconist came to admire the primal quality /of valour in his opponent. the Ncapuhi, who—to their own amazement—hurled back assaulting columns' of the finest British infantry at Ohaeawai had secret tremors at the spectacle of the forlorn hdpc a desperate courage; well they know that in the end they could not hope to prevail over men of such mettle. And the soldier who saw the women and even children facing death in a heleagured redoubt of sod walls, choosing to die with their men rather than surrender, first marvelled at the devotion of such a race, and then came to love them for their savage chivalry. Tho ware ended with a strong mutual respect, tinged with a real affection, which never would have existed but for this ordeal by battle. To deal in detail with Mr. Cowan’s fine work would involve far more space than is available. Suffice it to say that the appearance of the second volume will be eagerly awaited, and that when completed the work will prove most valuable for reference purposes, and merit an honoured place in any private or public library. The illustrations, of which there are a large number, include many reproductions of rare and valuable old engravings, and of original sketches by Mr. A. H. Messenger, and add greatly to the interest and value of the text. (N.Z. price 12s. 6d.)

The Conquest of the New Zealand Alp?.. Mr. Samuel Tumor’s new book, "The Conquest, of the New Zealand Alps” (T. Fisher Unwin Ltd.), is a most important addition to the already substantial mass of literature dealing with Alpine climbing in New Zealand. A business man who is well mown in commercial circles, the author’s hobby

has always been mountaineering, and it is a hobby for the exercise of which his travels in many countries have at forded him special opportunities, is twenty-six years ago since turner first, became a prey to, vhat ho calls "tho climbing microbe, L lB experiences being among the • Y dangerous peaks in_tho bwrss ; P • In 1903 he found himself in Sibe ia, and did some big climbs in the A toi Mountains, being honoured by the Russian Geographical Society with their gold modal. Later on, Bnatchino- six days from a business _trip vo South America,” he ‘‘slept 20,0U0 h up Aconcagua.” In the New Zealand Alps he has long been an intrepid ana successful climber, the last ci B <-ven recent pioneering and climbing expcui lions taking place in I’ebruary and March, 1921. In his book he describes fiis most notable climbs in this count:y, the record commencing with ms achievements in 1912, and being continued to his three expeditions to Mount Tutoko in 1919, 1920, and 1921. The most interesting section ot ms book is that in which Mr. Turner describes his experiences when j.erlormthe very hazardous and vndoubtedTy very plucky feat oi climbing Mount Cook alone, a feat which he successfully accomplished on March b, 1919. Apparently ho did not meet yitn much encouragement from lellowciimbers and the professional mountain guides when he announced Ins intention of conquering the great ‘sky piercer,” Acrangi. He was asked at the Hermitage whether ho had considered his “wife and family, and he draws a somewhat unpleasant picture of certain guides who openly ridiculed his project. ' But Mr. fmmer, who is a Manchester man by bir.n, has in him no small strain ot tl at determination and obstinacy which is Ivpical of North Country men, and he persevered with his plans and won through-with full honours'; Writing oi a, previous ascent of Aorangi by way of the three peaks, and accompanied by guides, lie thus describes the splendid scene which greeted the eyes of the intrepid climbers: “We had been on the -summit ridge, of Ktw Zealand, and had feasted on the view as our slow progress across the ridge continued. . . . There is a most exquisite view while gradually crossnijr this riuge, and it is certainly the longest ice or snow ridge in New Zealand. It seems more than a mile and a. half iong. it is » unioue ridge, poised up on the too oi Aew Zealand, this lovely strip of land m the great South Pacific Ocean, a fitting summit ridge for the most wild and rugged country for its size in the world. It is the Switzerland of the Pacino, with its fiords covered with dense virgin bush, tho deep i 'mote valleys, difficult of access, with the hundred of unclimbed peaks on each side, with many icefields and glaciers not yet trodden by man- No matter what extra risk one might take by looking far and wide at the enchanting view, it was so interesting that it made one forget the depths below."

Mr. Turner gives most interesting descriptions of his three expeditions in tho Milford region, and more particularly in the vicinity of Mount Tutoko. Here the author was surprised one morning to discover a hitherto unknown lake and waterfall: I looked over a chasm, and it revealed the most amazing surprise I have ever had in all my climbing career—down in the distance, about three to four miles away and 4»uito 3GCO feet beneath, iue» was a. lake about two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide, out of which a waterfall was flowing. In two leaps it met the vallqj' 2500 to 3000 feet below, and it was a good, permanent How of water, not spray, like the Sutherland Fall late In the reason, but a fair volume of water. It was the most thrilling sight and prettiest scenery that 1 have ever seen in New Zealand or elsewhere.

Mr. Turner’s book contains a vast amount of useful information for mountain climbers in this country, and must Tie Considered as a splendid advertisement for the Dominion. A large number of illustrations, exceptionally well reproduced, mainly from photographs taken by the author, add greatly to the attractions of a volume which must bo regarded as one of the most important contributions to the literature of mountaineering that has been published for some time pa-st. (N.Z. price 275. 6d.)

“Greece and the Allies, 1914-1922.” In view of the present crisis in the Near East', the appearance of Mr. G. F. Abbott’s book, “Greece and the Allies, 1914-1922,” is singularly opportune. Mr. Abbott has written this book in order to establish the point that the situation in Greece at various times during the war was gravely misunderstood by the British public, owing, so the author claims, to the misleading effects of the news censorship. He contends that this misconception has continued since the war, and. has had as its effect a British Near Eastern policy which has by no means been advantageous either tq.the Allies or to Greece. Mr. Abbott is no admirer of Venizelns. On the contrary, he declares that the famous Cretan statesman “did his best to aggrandise and disintegrate Greece.” Mr. Ab'bott’s book places a very different complexion upon many notable events during and since the war from that

generally associated with them in tho British mind. The author has an excellent reputation as a keen student of, and thoughtful writer upon, Turkish and Greek history in modern times, and it is worthy of note that his last book is described by the ‘‘Times” as “a very serious and able piece of historical writing.” In his “Preface,” Admiral Lord Mark Kerr, lato Com-niander-in-Chief of the “Royal Hellenic Navy,” and head of the British Naval Mission to Greece, declares that “the persecution of King Constantino - by ftib Press of the Allied countries, with some few good exceptions, has Been one of the most tragic affairs since the Dreyfus case.” A valuable feature of ,Mr. Abbott’s book is, says Lord Mark Kerr, that it gives a clear account of tho little-understood relations between the . Greek and the Serb, of the attitude of Greece towards the and the Entente, and o'fTiie dealings between Greece and the Entente, and the complications that ensued therefrom.” (N.Z. price, 10s. 6d.) AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE Conan Doyle's- poems. A well-printed collected edition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s poems comes from Mr. John Murray (per Whitcombe and Tombs). The volume contains nearly the whole of the three email collections named “Songs of Action,” "Songs of the Road,” and “The Guards Came Through.” To these are added many new pieces. TheTe is also added a short poetical one-act play, “The Journey.” The author is very modest as to the poetical quality of his vigorously-written, easily-flowing, wholesomely-spirited verse: If it were not for the hillocks You’d think little of the hills; The rivers would seem tiny If it were not for the rills. If you never saw the brushwood You would underrate the trees; And so you see the purpose Of such little rhymes as these. It is good to re-read that stirring poem, “The Song of the Bow,” with which the section “Songs of Action” appropriately commences. Two sample stanzas: What of the bow? The bow was mad< in England I ’Of true wood, of yew wood. The wood of English bows: So men who are free Love the old yow tree And the land where the yow tree growsWhat of tho men? The men were bred in England; The bowmen, the yeomen. Tho lads of dale and fell; Here's to you—and to you, To the hearts that are true. And the land where their true hearts dwell Sir Arthur has, on occasion, a sly humour of his own. Asj thus: Tho cheese-mites asked how tho cheese got there, And warmly debated the matter: The Orthodox said that it came from the air. And the Heretics said from the plattej. They , argued it long and they argued it strong, And I hear they are arguing now But of alt the choice spirits who lived in the cheese, Not one of them thought of a cow Hunting poems aro Here, and many a stirring ballad singing the praise of England’s sons on battlefield or in seaiight. As befits a sturdy champion of the “noble art,” there >s a capital versified yarn, "Bendy’s Sermon, ’ of how the converted prize-fighter, the famous Bendigo, once tackled a little baud of his old “pals,” who, "ful l of beer and impudence, ripe for anything,” came to his meeting and chaired and interrupted the retired bruiser: Then Bendy said, “Good Lord, since first I left-my Mnful ways, Thou kuowest that to Theo . alone I’ve given up my days, But now, dear Lord"—and here ho laid his Bible on the shel»“I’ll take, with your permission, just five minutes for myself. ’ He vaulted from tlio pulpit like a tiger from a den. They Bay it was a lovely sight to see him floor his men; Right and left, and left and right, straight and true and hard, Till tho Ebenczer Chapel looked more like a knacker’s yard. If only for tho patriotic poems, many 'of which are specially suitable for recitation purposes, the volume is well worth purchasing and - preserving. (N.Z. price 10s.) SOME RECENT FICTION "December Love.” In Mr. Robert Hichens’sMatest and cleverly-written novel, ‘'December' Love” (Cassell ami Co., per Whit-combe and Tombs), June is personified Ijy Alick Craven, twenty-nine, and “something in the War Office,” and Decem- , her bv Lady Adela Sellingworth, sixty vears of age, but possessing “eyes that are still magnificent-, like two brilliant lamps in her head.” It is a case of ‘ove at first sight: “instantly she fascinated Craven. Instantly ho did not care whether she was old or young, in perfect preservation, or a ruin.” The fascination fades away in time, as the young, lovely, ami wealthy Beryl van Tuyn appears on the scene, and Lady Adela is justifiably jealous and fearful of disaster. But Beryl van Tuyn has another admirer besides Craven. This is a romantic-looking adventurer, one Nicolas Arabean, who covets the fair young American’s fortune. At first ■Lady Adela is inclined to rejoice over Arabean’s apparent success with Beryl,

but suddenly she recognises, in the mysterious foreign gentleman the handsome rascal who, twelve years earlier, had fascinated the then beautiful Englishwoman into a reckless adventure from which she had emerged with her honour. but, alas, minus twenty thousand worth of family jewels. Personified December now struggles between contending emotions, desires, and plans. Shall she allow Miss van Tuyn to marry the "king of the underworld,” whom the girl believes to be an honest gentleman. and thus leave to the elder woman a chance of regaining her old fascination over that personified June,.Alick Craven, or shall she, at the risk of exposing an ugly episode in her past life, denounce the adventurer as a thief and a blackmailer, save the. girl, and lose Craven for ever? It is a fine dramatic situation, and Hichens makes the most of it. Lady Adela does the right thing, and. happily, with no unveiling of her own unfortunate past, succeeds in thwarting the adventurer, who, by the way, comes to a tragic end, and Beryl turns to Craven for consolation and happiness. As for Lady Adela, cured of her infatuation for the young man. she finds a more suitable husband in the elderly and worldly wise Sir Seymour Portman (first confessing the truth as to her early escapade), and thus makes happv a worthy gentleman who has long and faithfully loved her. “December Lbve” is a long and much rather over-detailed story. It has, for instance, the usual Cafe Royal scene, which is becoming such a tiresome feature in fiction descriptive of London life, but it reads smoothly enough and ha's many dramatic incidents and not a few well-drawn characters. Craven is rather feeble, but Adela Lady Sellingworth is one of the best-drawn and most convincing characters we have vet had from the author of those old tavourites, “The Garden of Allah” and “The Call of the Blood.” For Youthful Readers.

A number of books, all intended for youthful entertainment, plus, no doubt, • 'some cleverly disguised edification, come from Mr. Humphrey Mitford London (per Whitcombo and Tombs). They are all of a class of literature specially in favour at the Christmas season, but although those particular copies are of rather belated arrival, it is safe to eay that as birthday or gift book's generally/ they will be equally welcome throughout the year. The Herbert Strang Annual for 192223 is a handsome quarto, containing a large number of stories and articles specially appealing to boyish literary tastes. The coloured and half-tone plates from drawings and paintings by leading artists are very numerous. There are some delightfully humorous drawings by George Morrow, the "Punch” artist. (Nev.’ Zealand price, 57.) “Mrs. Strang’s Annual for Children” is intended for the delectation of quite young folk; and includes a bewildering variety of fairy and other stories by such well-practised writers as Agnes Crozier Herbert-son, Jessie Pope, Alan Wright-', Alice Massie, Florence Harrison, Eleanor Farjeon, and others. Some of tho coloured plates, notably Mary S. Reeves’s drawing, ‘‘The Little Ladv.” are most gracefully designed. Wonderfully good value is this book at its New Zealand price of 7s. “Us,’.’ a volume of short stories, and drawings, both by Cecil Aldin, is specially suitable for the "little dots.” Mr. Aidin’s pictures, both in colour and black and white, are drawn in a combination of vigour and humour which is very effective. (New Zealand price, 4s. 6d.) . Two story books, 'both of Australian authorship, come from the same publishers. In “The Jackaroos,” Mr. Joseph Byrne gives a vivid picture of life on an Australian cattle • run, the two youthful heroes getting on the track of some cattle thieves and frustrating their rascally plans. Vera G. Dwvcr’-s “The Ka-ylcs of Bushy Lodge,” presents a picture of domestic life in Sydney durinej the war. The Kayies are delightful young people, Shirley, the heroine, who takes her responsibilities towards her motherless s : sters and brothers very seriously, being a very -well-drawn character. Both books are well printed and tastefully bound, and have coloured frontispieces. (New Zealand price, 7s. 6d.) Two books specially suitable . for youthful readers come from Messrs. Jarrold’s, Ltd. .‘‘Angela, Goes to School,” by that well practised writer of stories for the young folk. Miss May Wynne, is a ve.ry pretty and readable tale, in which are related the curious and often very amusing experiences which befall Angela Henwake, a professor’s daughter, and her friends, at Dannington House. The heroine has some misadventures to contend with, but she is a pluckv girl and ends bv becoming a great favourite with her fellow pupils. (Price 65.) “Prefect and Fag,” by Charles J. Mansford, from the same authoress, is a story of life at an English public school. The amusements and escapades of the principal characters are recounted in a vigorous and pleasing story which should be in high favour with youthful readers. (Price 65.) First published as far back as 1932, Mr. Charles Turlev’s “Godfrey Marten, Schoolboy” (AVm. Heinemann, per Whitcombe and Tombs), has been reprinted several times- The lads of (’•'thorough College are a very jolly lot of youngsters, and the account of choir doings makes a very lively and readable story. (Price 65.)