BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 82, 31 December 1926, Page 23

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

(By

"CHERSWUD.”)

Give a man a pipe he can smoke. Give a man a book he can read: And his home is bright with a calm delight Though the room be poor indeed. —JAMES THOMfiOK.

BOOKS OF THE DAY.

Mystery of the Maya. “Ancient Cities and Modern Tribes,” by .Thomas Gann (Duckworth, London; per Whitcombe and Tombs). Readers interested in books of exploration will remember Dr. Gann’s “In an Unknown Land,” in which he first took his readers on a voyage of investigation and discovery, and his more recent “Mystery Cities,” which with the present volume now make a valuable trilogy. In this his latest volume Dr. Gann continues his explorations and also his adventures. Starting out from Belise, the capital of British Honduras, he went through the great ruined cities of Coba in Yucatan, and Copan, in Spanish Honduras. The discoveries Dr. Gann has made are so important that scholars of all nations declare they must revolutionise ideas of earlv civilisations in America. Dr. Gann tells of the recent excavations on the site of the ancient Maya city erf Lubaantun, which is situated on the route of the famous march taken by Cortez from Mexico City to Omoa. There are many secrets yet to be discovered, many mysteries yet to be made plain by further investigation and excavation in this wonderful country once populated bv a teeming multitude of people. Dr. Morley says in his “Chicken-Itza”:

Indeed, it is not improbable that this was one of the most densely populated areas of its size in the world during the first five centuries of the Christian Era. the seat of a mighty American Empire.

Dr. Gann is an American, but in this book, as in bis former volume, “Mystery Cities,” he shows his sympathy with British ideals. In the last-nam-ed moralising on what he saw around him, he contrasts British Honduras with’ Spanish Honduras, and ponders over:

The slow rise of all the nations and civilisations, and incidentally the boundlessness of the British Empire, under whose beneficent sway the .owest and most degraded of the aboriginal American tribes, whose name was associated by tho conquiStadores with cannibalism and other practices, has been turned into a nation of productive workers and good citizens, while the Maya, who enjoyed the highest civilisation before the Conquest. have, under the Spanish yoke, dwindled into a poor degenerate remnant nf’fl once great nation, their traditions lost, their civilisation forgotten, their numbers decreasing from year to year till in another century ... no single individual or pure Maya descent will be left on the American Continent.

This is the third book of Dr. Gann’s on Maya exploration it has been my good fortune to read, and I hope it will not be the last. (Price 255.). Btirncyiana.

“Fanny Burney and The Burneys,” edited, with ail introduction, by R. Brimley Johnson. Mr. Johnson placed the literary and reading world under a deep debt bv his Series of “Bluestockings” letters.’ That debt is more than trebled bv .this his latest contribution to the “letters” of that fertile period. No one who claims to be well read in the literature of that time can afford to be without a copy of this substantial volume. The collection of letters here printed contains a considerable addition to Madame D’Arblay’s diary. Each hitherto unpublished extract is “placed” in the diary by references to chapter and page in the late Austin Dobson’s standard edition published in 1905. The bulk of the new material, however, is itself consecutive, describing scenes and persons, and expressing opinions omitted from all previous editions. 'Hie volume also contains a large number of hitherto unpublished letters bv Susan Burney (Madame D’Arblay), which illustrate the amusing Bohemianism and the freedom from convention which were family traits. Susan’s letters and the “Worcester” journal materially assist readers to understand the innermost feelings of one of the shrewdest observers of human nature who ever created fictions in the likeness of man, and to appreciate the gallant industry, public spirit, ;nd the loving kindness of the race from which she came. Fanny Burney’s incomparable pictures of men and manners in the eighteenth century are familiar to all who care for the good things in the literature of those days. Mr. Johnson assures readers that “her life lias been told many times, with loyal care and critical understanding,” to which one feels impelled to add, but never with such loyal care, or keener or truer critical appreciation, than by the editor of “Fanny Burney and the Burneys.” (Price 18s. 6d.) X Animals of Australasia.

“The Wild Animals of Australasia,’ by A. S. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., and Harry Burrell, C.M.Z.S. (Harrap, London; per Ferguson and Osborn). The object of the authors of this work .was to collect into one volume the latest available information about all the Australasian mammals. The nomenclature of the marsupials and monotremes is based on that of the British Museum catalogue, in which these groups are admirably treated bj’ Mr. Oldfield Thomas. The compiling of such a work • was no easy task, as hitherto _ the literature concerning the animals of Australasia has been very scatteredand little has been done in the way of authorised research work. The authors were handicapped also by the unfortunate fact that Australasian museums are verv short of material to work on, and many of the types missing are in British or foreign museums. An appeal is made by the authors for those interested to do all they can to make local collections as complete as possible while this may be done, so that posterity mav be provided with a tlior--ough knowledge of native animals (there are over 400 species of mammals indigenous of the soil), many of which are’ rapilly disappearing. The tragedy of the disappearing Australasian mammals has not been brought about by European settlement and the opening up of the country; but chiefly through tlie introduction of wild animals from other parts of the world, such ns the fox, the cat, the rabbit, and the bare, etc. All of them have gone far ahead of the marsupials in general development and are bidding fair to occupy soon the heritage of the original and more primitive types. The volume is illustrated by over a hundred fine plates, and a chapter on “The Bats of Australasia and New Guinea” is contributed by Mr. Ellis Le G. Troughton, Zoologist. Australian Museum, Sydney. (Price, 30,5.)

MISCELLANEOUS An Old Sca=dog. “Naval Memories and Traditions,” bv Admiral Sir Herbert King-Hall (Hutchinson, London, per I’ergusou and Osborn). The author. Whose elder brother also became an Admiral, has had a connection with the Navy for

over half a century, joining the old Britannia in 1875 as a cadet. In 1882 he was at the bombardment of Alexandria ; he was naval transport officer in Natal during the South African War, and ’ during the Great War he was Commander-in-Chief at the Cape. He was responsible for the naval part in the campaign against German SouthWest Africa, and he destroyed the German raider Konigsberg. He tells a number of good stories of life and discipline aboard the old wind-jammers. There are also a number of interesting photographs. (Price 245.) Still Another Wayfarer.

“A Wavfarer in Switzerland,” by J. F. Muirhead (Methuen, London, per Whitcombe and Tombs). Switzerland has long been -a favourite resort . of the Briton fond of mountaineering, and this volume ought to be one of the most popular of the Wayfarer series. To me its very name recalls the reading .of the interesting journeys made among its mountains by the late Sir Leslie Stephens. The book is something more than _ a guidebook, and, besides dealing with the popular and inevitable subjects of scenery, mountain climbing, winter sports, etc., it also tells many interesting, things about the people, the industries, and the arts of Switzerland. One could not wish a more pleasant, or more useful, manner of introduction to a most beautiful country. (Price 10s.). Of Travel and Tradition.

“Mauresques,” by C. P. Hawkes (Methuen, London; per Ferguson and Osborn). Mr. Hawkes is one of the most entertaining, as he is also one of the most successful, descriptive writers of the present day. In this volume he covers a long range—back to the seventeenth century and down to yesterday. There is also a most informative article on bajl games, tracing this form of amusement from the time when Mother Eve beat Father Adam at a game of catch beneath the apple tree in Eden, down to association football. In another he describes the existing traits and qualities which register the kinship of Cervantes, Raid Ghailan, and Francis Xavier to Primo de Revera, Abd-el-Krim, and Jean Borotra, the lawn tennis champion! There are 18 illustrations from photographs, and three sketches by the author. /(Price Ils.). A Master of Music.

“Monteverdi,” by Dr. Henry Pruuieres (Dent, London, per Ferguson and Osborn). This book, which has been translated by Marie D. Mackie, gives us combined the life story of Monteverdi and a critical study of his works. ■Much search was made among Italian archives in order if possible to discover anv work of Monteverdi’s that had escaped publication,- but to no purpose. Hitherto this master musician’s works have been the subject of but fragmentary studies, of a genius disconcerting in its multiplicity. Tn his biographer’s opinion, Romain Rolland lias given the profoundest judgments of Monteverdi’s work. With an intuition bordering upon' genius, Rolland entered into the musician’s very soul and defined synthetically the ' essential characteristics of his art. Readers who find, the critical study of this great master’s work too Arduous, will, no doubt, take . a deener interest in the biography, rich in dramatic events, of a musician who knew the -life of courts and camps, and whose great soul laboured under affliction for years. (Price, 12s. 6d.)

LATEST FICTION f rom Messrs Hutchinson, London. “Labels,” by A. Hamilton Gibbs (per Ferguson and Osborn). Slightly overburdened with the philosophy of war but a fine storv for all that. “So This is Love,” by A. L. Vincent, Consuela, daughter of a millionaire (made in U.S.A.), who to marry her to an impecunious Scots peer, runs away. But she cannot run awav from fate’, and fate, in her case, turns out to be true love. An amusing, up-to-date story. “The Desert’s Treasure,” bv H- Conrard. An exhilarating chase after treasure in Arizona desert. Black Mike, wanted by the authorities for alleged murder, carries his life in his bauds, while, seeking to foil the thieves out to “jump” claims. He is also intent on redeeming his honour by proving his innocence. It is a hard fight, and, when in his toughest corner, a woman comes to his aid and wrongs are righted. It was not among the “pay-dirt” that Mike found his treasure, for his “treasure” was of quite a different kind. “The Giant,” by Bernard Hamilton. Manv novels have been written round the French Revolution and the chief actors therein; but few have even approached this story of Air. Hamilton’s for power of presentation and effectiveness of execution. The story revolves round Danton, who, to use Victor Hugo’s phrase, “dared it,” and Robespierre, who deluged France in blood. The highest praise one. can give this book is to say that it is the complement of Carlvle’s work on the same period. Carlyle’s book is a romance of politics; Hamilton’s is a romance of the people. It is a book that ought to have had a better birth than to be issued among a host of ephemeral productions. From Messrs. Jenkins, London.

“Peggy of Beacon Hill,” by Maysie Greig. The sub-title is “A Bohemian Romance.” It is, very; and it is also verv sentimental, but Miss Greig can develop a storv wonderfullv. “The Green Rocket,”’ by Leo Walmsley is an African tale of murder, mystery, Germans and gold. A wild, extravagant and exciting romance. “Madam Judas,” by Margaret Turnbull. This writer gave a taste of her real- finality in “Alabaster Lamps,” and “Madam Judas” improves on that. “Alabaster Lamps” was a very successful effort, “Madam Judas” is something accomplished. “The Road Beyond,” by Elizabeth Southwart. A well told Yorkshire storv, the plot is almost as old as the hill’s and its indictment as true. “The Black Buddha,” bv Lady Chittv. A story of thrilling adventure, murder, mystery and hidden treasure, the scenes of which are laid in India, with its weird occultism, etc. But the Black Buddha yields up his secret at last. “The Children of the Outcast,” bv W. Riley. It is unnecessarv to outline this story in order to interest readers in it. The fact that it is bv the author of “Netherleigh,” “Number Seven Brick Row,” and a dozen others equally wellknown, is recommendation enough, “The Tragedies of Mr. Pip,” by Edgar Jepson. Mr. Jepson is a boon and a blessing to one who has work; ed a hard day’s darg, or whose previous reading has been of the heavy order. He has a lightness of .touch, a delightful humour, and a familiarity with the paraphernalia of the tragedy novelists that enables him to parody their prose with most amusing results. Sarah Ann, it is to be hoped, is a most unusual woman, who brought upon herself, it is also to be hoped,, a most unusual punishment. It was painful and humiliating for her, no doubt, but the reviewer, cruel man, laughed.

From Messrs. Mills and Boon, London.

“The Devil’s Jest,” by Elizabeth Carfrac. Those who dislike stories that sometimes seem to forget that they are stories, and become sermons,

will never need to complain of Elizabeth Carfrae preaching. She is a most vivacious writer, and “The Devil’s Jest” shows her to advantage. While the plot is one long thrill, the author's humour lightens the tension as the plot develops to a successful ending. “The Lesser Breed,” by Mary Wiltshire. This writer won a niche for herself when she published that clever novel “Patricia Ellen,” and her second book, “Thursday’s Child,” went far to solidify her claim. Now she gives the public her third book, which, while it is free from the occasional immaturities of the former, shows her to be possessed of uncommon inventive resourcefulness. “The Four Winds.” When it is said that the writer of this is Sinclair Gluck, those who are fond of thrillers with a double thrill should know what to do. “Take Your Choice,” by Dolf Wyllarde, is a collection of short stories, which include the pick of Miss Wyllarde’s contributions to the popular magazines. Some are so very slight, not to say thin, that one wonders at their being reprinted; some are whimsical and humorous, others mysteries, and others again depend on the love interest. Taking my choice, I plump for “The Skull and the Table,” which is one °f the most powerful short stories I have sampled for long. “The Girl in Black,” by Victor Bridges, at once suggests that good old Victorian mystery novel, “The Woman in White.” Reading the book shows that “The Girl in Black” can be as perplexingly intangible as any woman in white or any other colour ever could have been. “London Love,” by Arthur Applin. This book is marked one-third the price of each of those mentioned previously in this paragraph. Reverse the prices and I’ll still choose Arthur Applin’s “London Love” to any three of the others.

From Messrs. Methuen, London. “East of Eden,” by Lynn Montross (per Ferguson and Osborne). The scene is laid mid the prairie lands of Illinois and deals with the feuds and fights between the grain growers and the speculators of the Chicago “Pit.” Up to nearly the close of the great war these grain farmers were doing wonderfully well, but the credit for that instead of being attributed to the hard work of the families on the land, plus the good prices ruling owing to the war, was put down to the beneficent effects of the agricultural banks. But despite these banks, United States Government returns showed a decrease iii the number of farmers owning the land they farmed, while the number of tenant farmers and mortgaged farms showed an increase. But that is politics and quite another story. At the close of the war speculation in grain land went mad, and when the slump came, the men who .felt the bump were the farmers, while the money-lenders and the grain speculators went about smiling. The story is full of the sun and shade of the farmer’s life, with, perhaps, an extra dash of the shade, but that is not the story’s fault, but fate’s. In the end the two rival champions mutnallv jvipe each other out in a motor smash. Some New Editions, Etc.

“Dawn Island,” by Cecil Adair (Stanley Paul, London, per Whitcombe and Tombs). The third edition of this healthy, enjoyable, . realistic storv of a girl'who acted as an amanuensis to a novelist. The latter dies at the opening of the story, and the girl’s own story begins to unfold itself. A fine romance, likely to run into several more editions.

“The Exquisite Perdita” (Harrap, London; per Ferguson and Osborn) was very favourably reviewed in these columns several months ago. It was published in July and before the month was out it had run into three editions. Since then a new edition lias been printed off monthlv to keep pace wifi’ the demand. The author of “The Glorious Apollo” has excelled herself in “The Exquisite Perdita.”