BOOKS and AUTHORS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 254, 10 July 1926, Page 25

BOOKS and AUTHORS

(By

“CHERSWUD.”)

Give a man a pipe he can smoke. Give a man a book he can read: „lnd> his home is bright with a calm delight Though the room be poor indeed. —IAMLS THOMBOX

BOOKS OF THE DAY.

An Epic of Exploration. “My Life as an Explorer,” by Sven Hedin (Cassell and Co., Loudon, per Whitcombe and Tombs). lhe lurid and somewhat vulgar “jacket” covering the board of this book inclines one to take it up in an unsympathetic mood. Before reading far, however, the mood changes to one of intense sympathy and interest. The famous Swedish explorer and naturalist, Sven Hedin, author of this epic of exploration, has all his life long wandered in “untrodden ways” (undreamt of by the poet who coined that phrase). He lias been one of the most successful, because he lias been also one of the most persistent and unwearying of travellers and investigators of modern times, and now, in the evening of his days, he sits down in comparative calm, and for our delectation and enlightenment, and that of future generations, places on record an account of his many experiences and discoveries. Sven Hedin took sides with Germany in the Great War, and on other occasions took up an anti-British attitude. These things he apparently wishes one not to remember against him, for he skims lightly over them in this work, and proceeds to record the chief incidents of a most adventurous career in which he scored quite a number of noteworthy triumphs These he tells, mostly in ’simple, unassuming, straightforward language. Where he momentarily departs from this rule is in such portions of his story as.tell of transactions or incidents relative to his idealings with British military leaders and statesmen, but perhaps he seeks to emphasise these points in the hope ■of allaving in British readers any lingering prejudice or resentment which he feels his action during the war has justified. Apart from these lapses his storv is told with becoming modesty and much charm. And it is a storv 'of success after failure, and again failure; a record of attainment in face of powerful opposition and almost insurmountable difficulties. There is scarcely a nook or corner of Asia that be' has not explored, even unto the most secret parts and sacred places. Despite the opposition of British political leaders of the time, he entered Tibet and actually interviewed the Tashi Lama. He attempted to ascend the “Bather of Ice Mountains,” Mastaga Ata, but was driven down again by a snowstorm, af'er he bad succeeded tn climbing 20,000 feet. He visited the "Moving Lake of I.obnor,” and the "Sea of Sand” of Takla Makan, under which lie buried cities several thousands of vears old. And so one reads on from one astonishin" pa"e to another more astonishing still. If one has had anv lingering nrejudice against the author because of his antiBritish attitude during the World War, it has been charmed away, and one is left admirin'’ his courage, marvelling at his endurance, and acclaimin'’ Ins achievements. The volume also hn= tag illus/rations drawn by the author, fPrice 30s ) In Southern Seas.

“Whaling in the Frozen South,’’ by A. J. Villiers (Hurst and Blackett, London, per Ferguson and Osborn). This interesting record is from the pen of a very young and very venturesome Tasmanian journalist, who got a chance (and took it) of joining the Norwegian Whaling Expedition which sailed in the Antarctic in 1923-24. Young Villiers was then in his twentieth year, and one of the conditions of his accompanying the whalers was that he take his place as a member of the crew before the mast. With the enthusiasm’and temerity of youth he jumped at the chanc. Had he had any idea of the terrible and long-continued hardships of a whaler’s life in Arctic seas, perhaps he would have been less precipitate, and readers would have been without this striking and brightly written account of his experience with the whaling fleet. The Sir James Clarke Ross was the mother ship. Among other things, it was also a floating oil refinery. She had tanks. capable of holding 60,000 gallons of .oil. The rest of the fleet consisted of five whale catchers. These were mere cockleshell ships of about a hundred tons each, but were so stoutly built and finished that they remained perfectly seaworthy in the worst Antarctic weather, and were eminently suited for the work they had to do. The author states that Captain Karl A. Larsen was “one of the best ” and that his judgment was never once found tb be at fault. He remained on the whaling “ground” actually to the verv end of the last safe minute, tet gbt his’ little fleet out of the oncoming all-encircling ice. The work is finely illustrated. One picture shows the whalers at that most dangerous of occupations, flensing the whale blubber, the whale afloat, but lashed loosely to the ship, the men standing on the rocking carcass, using their long knives carving their slippery platform in a temperature considerably below freezing point. Mr. Villiers, though but a young journalist, possesses a stvle of writing which places this record of his enthralling and hazardous experience considerably above what is commonly—and sometimes contemptuously—called journalese. (Price, 255.)

“Bernadotte: Prince and King.” Sir Plunket Barton’s fine study of Swedish liistorv, '‘Bernadotte: Prince and King, 1810-1844” (John Murray, per Whitcombe and Tombs), is a sequel to the author’s two succeeding historical works, “Bernadotte: The First Phase, 1763-1799.” and “Bernadotte and Napoleon, 1799-1810,” issued by the same publisher. Sir Plunket Barton now presents an enlightening account of a very remarkable man, a Gascon by birth, whom Count E. M. De Vogue described as being “a perfect epitome of his race,” and reproducing, in his personality, "twenty characteristic figures” of such varying types as Monthic and Cyrano de Bergerac, Henry Quatre and D’Artagnan. Few public'men have been so extravagantly belauded, and so violently vilified, and Sir Plunket’s biographical study of Bernadotte in his final volume must be regarded as a singularly useful contribution to European history. Many interesting portraits and other illustrations bearing on the life of him who has been styled the Grand Old Man' of Scandinavia. (145.) MISCELLANEOUS. The Artists’ Annual. “The Year's Art” (Hutchinson, London; per Ferguson and Osborn). This is the forty-seventh annual issue of “The Year’s Art,” and the thirty-ninth which Mr. A. C. R. Carter has edited. Among much of Interest to artists and art lovers the volume contains an art calendar, a review of the past (1925) year's art, State aid to art, lists of members of the Royal Academy,’ art societies ami art clubs, articles on art in the various parts of the Empire, including New Zealand. Among the illustrations the place of honour—the frontispiece—is given to “Mary: An English Girl.” This beautiful picture of an English girl was painted by Sir Luke Fildes. R.A., last summer, in his eighty-second year. Many ether items

of particular and’ general interest go to the making of one of the best ait year books yet issued.

Early Church History. “A Historv of the Medieval Cliurcn," by Margaret Deanesly (Methuen, Loudon; per Ferguson and Osborn). Though this work is primarily intended for the use of students of Church history, there is much in it suited to the needs of the general reader, especially such as may be interested in the social, t/ioiioinic, and personal aspects of church life in the days before the Reformation The whole book is skilfully arranged and concisely written, and should be found instructive and otherwise useful to others besides those to whom it is particularly addressed. Jhe author does not shirk dealing with that vexed and vexing subject, the Medieval Church’s attitude of forceful suppression of ideas and teaching considered subversive of the unity of the Church and faith, and writes with a tolerant—some mav think an all too tolerant pen of the Inquisition, its doings, and their effect. (Price 10s.) Progressive Creation. “Evolution and Creation,’’ by Sir Oliver Lodge (Hodder and Stoughton, London, per Whitconibe and lombs). Any writing by Sir Oliver Lodge upon this subject is well worth reading, whether one accepts his theories and conclusions or rejects them, there arc few writers on this—next to religion itself—most controversial subject, who possess his knack of dispelling bitterness and resentment in readers who are opposed to much of his teaching. He may fail to win them to his point of view, but he nevertheless sends them away stimulated and refreshel by their contact with a mind fecund in ideas and with the capacity to express them intelligently in Hear unscientific terms. The present work contends that creation connotes a process by which all observed things—what is ca'lled natural phenomena—have come into being, as distinct from the old church-taught idea that creation was an act immediate in its effect and result. Manv thinkers, even among Theists, to-day believe that it is to plulosiphic physicists and scientists we must look for any further reliable revelation concerning creation and its ultimate goal. (Price, 55.) For Scots Book Lovers. •“Bibliotheca Scotica” . (John Smith and Sons, Glasgow). This, as the title implies, is a catalogue (341 pp.) of books relating to Scotland. A foreword is from the pen of that well-known divine, the Rev. J. Lachlan Maclean Watt, D.D., F.R.S.E., minister of Glasgow Cathedral, well known as an able essayist and as a'vernacular and religious poet. Although merely a catalogue of second-hand books offered for sale by one of Glasgow’s oldest and best-known booksellers, it is so comprehensive and informative that it is more than likely to become an authoritative book of reference on the literature of Scotland. There are also sixteen portraits of Scots antliors, including Beugo’s engraving of Nasmvth’s portrait of Burns. It may well be claimed that this volume is a bibliography of Scot's achievement and an achievement of Scots bibliography. From Messrs, Boni and Llveright, New York. “The Love Complex,’’ by Thomas Dixon (per Dymock, Sydney). Lt was bound to come in the title ot a novel sooner or later, that much abused word "complex,” and here it is. However, the story itself is exciting and suspense creating from start to finish, even unto the last line. This is the third edition of this story called fdr in less than six months fiom publication, and it is

likely to call for many more. Though entirely different, it lias all the gripping qualities of “The Clansman,” by the same author, and has them much strengthened. To begin this story is to forget the world, the flesh, and the devil until the finis. LATEST FICTION From Messrs. Duckworth, London. “Love’s Blindness,” by Elinor Glyn (per Ferguson and Osborn). ■ After Mrs. Glyn’s well known characteristic style. A handsome young earl, heir of a long and noble line, has gotten himself into a tight corner by reckless speculation, and the crash, when it comes, will not only render him penniless, but will strip him also of his good name by bringing disaster upon several noble friends he had induced to take a share in the gamble. If half-a-million can be found within a week the venture will not only survive, but turn out a most profitable investment. Failing at every point to raise the needful he, at last,, applies to a Jewish money-lender, who agrees to help him on condition that the needy earl marries his daughter. .So the young proud noble, much against his will, is driven to contract a marriage de convenancc. But Vannessa, the Jew’s daughter, is but half a Jew, she is ravishingly beautiful,. and has several other excellent qualities beside, so —what would you ? “Antony in Love,” by' Charles E. Rose (per Whitconibe and Tombs). Those who have read “Charles Eddy’s” other books know that lie can fashion plots unlike other plots and work them out in a way altogether different to that which readers anticipate. He does .so in "Antonv in Love,” and in the doing of it draws an unstable young man, an unworthy father, and a noble, self-sacri-ficing girl, nnd weaves them into a fine entertaining tale. From Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton, London. “Yellow Corn,” by Lpton Gray (per Whitcombe and Tombs). It is not only relieving but refreshing to turn from the neurotic sex novel and the over-done murder-mystery tale to this simple story of everyday existence on the farmlands of Hampshire downs. Though there is more than a hint of possible calamity, the story leans strongl v to the humorous side, like most stories of country life where the author is an adept at character drawing. Lyddy Trcbutt is an old dear, and one feels the better of having made her acquaintance. The youlig lovers owe her much. Take a note of the name, “Yellow Corn,” and make up your mind to treat yourself to a rattling. good, clean story, written in clear, succinct English, that tells in a natural way the life-history of unsophisticated farm-folk.

“Sanders,” by Edgar Wallace (per Ferguson and Osborn). I have read all the volumes so far issued of the “Best Short Stories,” but I do not recollect reading in any one of the three volumes a short story by Edgar Wallace. This prompts the query: Upon what system do the joint-editors of the work in question m’ake their yearly selection? In this book are ten short stories by Edgar Wallace, any one of which is superior in conception, construction, and in liteiary finish to the great bulk of those honoured by inclusion in the volumes referred to as being among ■‘■he best of their year of issue, and .more than one superior to any in said publications. "Sanders” touches high-water mark in the art of short story writing. "The Lone Lodge Mystery,” by John Hawk (per Whitcombe and Tombs). The plot of this store’ is similar to the plot of numerous mystery stories, of which but a few are mysterious mystery stories: This is one of the few, by an author whose very name, somehow, makes one shudder in anticipation of something dreadful, which anticipation is realised in full measure, pressed down and running over. Bassett is a cool and calculating rascal; in fact, cool and calculating to the point of unreality, while Sark is a veritable Sherlock Holmes.

Messrs. Hutchinson and Co., London. “The Land oi Mist,” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (per Whitcombe and Tombs). Sir Conan might as appropriately have called this book -the Realm of Ghosts,” for this story is spiritualistic propaganda first, last and all the time. The creator of Sherlock Holmes, the artist who gave us. tlie great historical novels lhe,, WlnU Company,” “The. Refugees, Nigel, “Micah Clarke,” the poet who sang "Songs of Action,’ “1 he Guards Came Through,’ and ‘A Ballad of the Ranks,” have each been swallowed up in the perapatetic propagandist. I do not doubt Sir Conan’s sincerity nor have 1 read this volume without beinn deeply interested in the recital of the incidents which he states have come under his own observation. He no doubt, is absolutely convinced of their genuineness. lam more than sceptical. Yet the story, as a story, I enioi'ed, and (when one t.times - many among hundreds now issuing from the press) would pass it as firstrate were it not that those golden romances named above which the same pen gave us in happier times, force themselves upon the memory. Though his publishers profess to believe that "The Land of Mist” is “certainly one of the finest stories he has yet given us.” I must needs dissent, and that emphatically. Those who have taken up the serious study of spiritualism, no doubt, will enjoy the book, and find their faith helped and strengthened. They will also be grateful to the author for the explanatory notes placed at the end of the volume. “Adrienne of Auxelles,” by W. E. Norris (per Ferguson and Osborn). Older readers who are familiar with this author’s former books know that he has nothing in common with the stock-in-trade of the average modern novelist whose chief aim is to get the thrill into his story without giving too much consideration to construction or literarv language. Such will expect this s’torv to be exactly what it is—a quiet,' peaceful, elegant if somewhat perplexing narrative of a British M.P., whose nagging wife is everlastingly deaving him with dissertations about women’s rights, her own in particular. He, for peace’ sake, but with difficulty, holds his tongue about his wrongs.’ The story is convincingly told. From Messrs. Jenkins, London. “A Corinthian’s Bride,” by Ben Bolt (per Whitcombe and Tombs)- The chief figure of this story is a boxer, a gentleman boxer. The “Guv’nor” has decided that he is to marry the daughter of a neighbouring squire, and the squire, but not his daughter, is very anxious to see the match arranged. The hero of the fistic ring, and also of the story, loves a gipsy girl clever at fortune-telling, and also “with her mils,” while his pal is languishing for the intended victim, the squire's daughter. As both are adepts at the “noble art” there are lively times before wrongs are righted and loving hearts united. “Peter Intervenes,” by Edgar Jepson (per l-'crguson and Osborn). When is reset not reset, and theft not theft ? That is the problem Peter, an English public schoolboy, is set in this story. Peter is just an ordinary boy, not too venturesome nor over pugnacious, but when he sees a lady seeking to escape from two.wicked-looking foreigners, he buts into the breech and frustrates her pursuers. Peter does not know what he has been let in for by his simple but courageous act. The lady, finding her enemies have taken themselves off, determines to trust her rescuer, and she there and then gives Peter a. parcel, and goes her way. The parcel contains precious stones. Au epidemic breaks out in Peter’s school, and he is sent home to his uncle. He subsequently finds that said uncle is in love with the lady who gave him the parcelShe is the daughter of a wealthy jewel merchant. The gems she had handed to Peter for safety had been stolen by Russian revolutionaries, and stolen from them by others—hence the mix-up. There are interesting adventures, and some humorous situations before the all’s well finis.