BOOKS and AUTHORS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 81, 29 December 1928, Page 23

BOOKS and AUTHORS

A Weekly Survey

By

“Liber”

Give a man a pipe he can smolce. Give a man a book he can read: « And his home is bright with a calm delight Though the room be poor indeed—James Thomson.

THE FAR EAST China and the Family of Nations. Messrs. Allen and Unwin publish the second edition of a very useful book on ‘China in the Family of Nations” by Henry T. Hodgkins, M.A, secretary of the National Christian Council of China. First published in 1923, so much of political importance has happened in the F ar East since then that the re-wording of the later sections of the book has become necessary. Mr. Hodgkins has lived and travelled in China, Japan and Korea and may be regarded as one who writes with special and authoritative interest. He is, some may think, rather unfair to Japan, nor can we agree with the “Manchester Guardian” that reading through this volume is “like imbibing a draught of fellowship with Chinamen” —why does not the “Manchester Guardian,” ever so sympathetic to Chinese nationalism, say “Chinese” rather than use the pidgin English “Chinamen,” which, it is well known, the Chinese reject with scorn. But Mr. Hodgkins is ever on the side of greater friendship between East and West, and although it is possible he over-estimates the importance of the Yellow Peril, and unfairly attributes to Great Britain and America much more than their share in the creation of that menace, there is no questioning the earnestness and honesty of his views as to China’s future. (10s.)

The Modem Far East. One of the best books on “Modern Japan and its Problems” is that published under that title by Messrs. Allen and Unwin, and written by Mr. G. C. Allen, for some years a lecturer in a Japanese Government college. Mr. Allen wisely excludes from his book the usual descriptive matter on scenic beauties and social life, as given by the average globe-trotter, but deals rather with the many novel problems and phenomena created by the Japanese attempts to graft the political economic and educational institutions of the'West, more especially of America, Great Britain, and Germany, on to their Oriental social organisation. It is rarely that one finds a writer paying so much careful attention to Japan's industrial and financial development, to contemporary political and economic problems of the Far East, as may be found in Professor Allen’s book. One of the most interesting sections of his summary of pre-sent-day conditions is that entitled “Japan and the West.” What Mr. Allen describes as the massive foundations of the national self (America’s self satisfaction), hordes of earnest young men and women will continue to pour over the Pacific to inculcate as the ethics of a superior civilisation. . . . The work of the missions Is very different’ from which they Imagine themselves to be carrying on. For although there are among the American missionaries many broadminded and cultured men who approach their task in a due spirit of humility, that attitude is lacking in the majority. ... So actually their work has come to be not the teaching of Christianity but the propagation of Americanism. It is the Anglo-Saxon rather than the Christian virtues which they are the most anxious to impress on the Japanese. . . .In a capacity for self-sacrifice, in kindliness, and in tolerance, the Japanese are superior to the majority of professing Christians.” Mr. Alien’s is a very thoughtful and transparently honest examination of Far Eastern conditions. A book on Japan in which we are spared any description of Fusiyama, of the cherry blossom season, of the geisha and their ways, and so forth, is indeed a rarety in literature dealing with that country. (145.)

“The Chinese Puzzle.” Mr. Arthur Ransome’s “The Chinese Puzzle” (George Allen and Unwin), with Its quite unnecessary introduction by the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, is an examination of presentday political problems in China which is too palpably the work of an English journalist—of the “Manchester Guardian” school—to be taken very seriously. Mr. Ransome, it is true, analyses not unskilfully the various foreign influences affecting China and more particularly the conduct of her affairs by the National Government—his publication of the programme of the Kuomintang is specially very useful—but the general tone of his study of present-day conditions is too often reflective of an argument that Chinese present-day government, in which Socialism and Autocracy are curiously blended is always in the right, and’the English view is always in the wrong. A v(jry readable but rather one-sided book. (75.)

“Japanese All.” So many books on purely politicoeconomic happenings in the Orient are appearing that Professor J. Ingram Bryan’s “Japanese All” (Methuen and Co.), with its pleasant and in places genuine humour, its pictures of everyday Japanese life, manners and customs, should be welcomed. The author’s experiences, as a professor in Japanese colleges for 1G years, and as Extension Lecturer for the . University of Cambridge on Japanese history and civilisation, have given him an expert knowledge of “Things Japanese,” and his essays on various sides of Japanese life reveal many not usually described sides of Far Eastern character. The chapters on “The Minor Official.” “The Wife” and “The Policeman,” are replete with ironic humour; indeed the whole of the twenty separate essays are most readable. In “The Sign” we read that “When the eye is arrested by such a legend as this over a shop, ‘Ladies furnished in the upper storey,’ it may not be so readily inferred that the tailor doing business beneath intends only to dgnify that he makes women’s blouses, while the allegation that ‘Ladies have fits in the upper storey,’ implies nothing more serious than that the tailor s fitting-room for ladles is upstairs. (Bs.) BOOKS OF THE DAY Empire Government. It is some time since we have come across a work of such practical value to all who would know how the inhabitants of the Empire are governed as Mr. Manfred Nathan’s “Empire Government” (George Allen and Unwin). Mr. Nathan, who is a K.C, and author of several works dealing with international law, as well as South African Supreme Court procedure, here presents a sketch of the general sys- , tem of governments which now prevail both in Great Britain and in the Dominions and other possessions of the British Crown overseas. After tracing colonial development he analyses the British Constitution and the constitutions of the colonies. The latter part

Of his book deals with governmental powers — the Crown, Parliament, the Executive, and the “Judiciary and the Subject.” It is safe to say that no member of Parliament nor public man of any standing should be ignorant of the relative duties and responsibilities of those who are entrusted, even incidentally, with the task of government while such a work, so clear and concise a statement of the various facts, is available. It would be well, indeed, were those who are entrusted with the powers and privileges of members of Dominions’ legislatures compelled to pass a searching examination in the matters dealt with. But that, it is to be feared, is not possible so long as a certain number of men are sent to Parliament who scoff at precedent and care little for aught save votes and how to secure them. (135.). The Book of English Law.

Earlier in life, Dr. Edward Jenks, Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law iu the University of London, was, as far back as 1891, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law in the University of Melbourne, when he wrote, amongst other works, “The Government of Victoria.” Professor Jenks now presents an entirely new work, “The Book of English Law” (Murray), specially devised for its object of describing the framework and principles of the whole of English Law in language intelligible to the educated layman; the work being based upon the experience of a course of lectures delivered during the last three sessions to a university course of a non-profes-sional character. Few people are aware that

A subject injured by a Crown official can prosecute him criminally and sue him iu tort for unlawful acts done in the prosecution of his duty ;'and the official cannot shield himself behind his official authority. He is not, in fact, sued as an official, but as a private person, who, by breaking the law,-has ceased to be a representative of the Crown.

Then, again, as to rioting, many people should have . their misconceptions removed, as thus:

It is a popular mistake to suppose that the so-called “reading of the Riot Act” is an essential preliminary to the dispersal by force of a riotous assembly. The only effect of it is to turn what was formerly only a misdemeanour into a felony, much more heavily punishable. A riot is defined thus:

A riot Is an unlawful assembly consisting of at least three persons which has begun to create a breach of the peace. The offence is punishable by fine and imprisonment. If an unlawful assembly consisting of at least twelve persons refuses to disperse within an hour of the reading of the proclamation of the Act (not the whole text of the Act) by a magistrate, the persons so refusing may be sentenced to penal servitude for life.

In his foreword the Rt. Hon. Lord Atkins says: “In short, though this book cannot be guaranteed to make its reader a better citizen, it can be guaranteed to make him better equipped to be a good citizen. I cordially recommend all members of Parliament, all members of representative local and public bodies, indeed, all responsible members of the public, to read it.” (165.). • Yet More Anatole France.

The Bodley Head series of English translations of the Writings of the late Anatole France now runs into close upon forty volumes, a recent addition to Mr. John Lane’s now-famous edition of the great French litterateur and polemist being a volume entitled “The Unseen Dawn," that being the general title of a very complete collection of the various speeches and addresses delivered during the years 1898 to 1906, in the course of which Anatole France was responsible for not less than fortysix speeches, orations, or letters. M. Thibaud, although a notably gifted, striking conversationalist, never prided himself upon his oratory. Indeed, most of his public addresses were delivered in a halting voice from manuscript. But he had ever the special gift of striking a new and original note, and of impressing an audience —more especially when he spoke on some political subject—with a deep sense of an earnestness not always to be found reflected in his fiction, wherein his love of a rather flippant irony was wont to be often exemplified. He is at his best in addresses delivered in honour of literary celebrities, such as Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, and Diderot. His speeches to various Socialistic conferences seem to be over flamboyant, and do not always ring true. But all are very readable much as some of us may fail to agree with the sentiments expressed. (10s.) LIBER’S NOTE-BOOK By almost every mail I receive some publisher’s puff preliminary of a uew book, written or edited by the New Zealander, Hector Bolltho. In addition to his coming new novel, “Judith Silver,” to be published in January by Alfred Knopf, a note of Mr. Jonathan Cape’s uew publications informs me that “the Prince of Wales has shown his interest iu writers from the Dominions by accepting the dedication of ‘The New Countries,’ a collection of stories and verse by Australian, Canadian, South African and New Zealand writers, whieffi has been edited by Mr. Hector Bolitho. During the years when the Prince was travelling through the Dominions, lie made a collection of books by Dominion writers, and most of their work is known to him.” A few weeks ago, I alluded to the high price in New Zealand of not a few books of American publication. I now learn from Mr. A. Greening, of Thomas C. Lothian, of Melbourne, that he is arranging for many American works on travel and biography to he sold both here and in Australia at more reasonable prices. Novels first Issued by Messrs. Payson and Clark, Sears and Co., and Mcßride, and Co., will, I understand, be sold at the same price, 65., as English fiction. ’ Several English publishers are arranging for their books to be sold here nt “unloaded” rates. Thus all Hodder and Stoughton’s many theologic.il works are now available here at the Home price. Messrs. Duckworth, also, issue their works here at the London price. This is a step jji the right direction.

Messrs. IV. and T. Chambers are issuing several new novels at moderate prices. Thus it is now possible to get a copv of that most practically useful of all dictionaries. “The Twentieth Century Dictionary,” at 10s.; Rosalind Masson's new story. "A Better Man,” a novel with a strong Australian appeal: “The Bright Eyes of Danger.” by John Forster: and Winifred Duke's “Scotland's Heir.” “Wile's me for Prince Charlie.” two capital semi-his-

torical novels, quite Stevensonian flavour, are priced at 4s. (id.; “The Good Deeds of Samuel Dobbie,” which is rich in Scottish humour, at 3s. 6d. The Australian publishers of all these are T. C. Lothian and Co. The Rev. John Armour, whose line essentially Australian yarn, “The Spell of the Inland,” has had an enormous vogue in the Australian cities, has followed up his successful first effort by a story entitled “Burning Air,” a breathless story of heroism, sacrifice, and desperate adventure iu the “NeverNever” backblocks country. Mr. Armour has been rightly called “The Ralph . Connor of Australia.” Review to follow. A book which is assured of a wide demand is Hodder and Stoughton s uniform edition of Sir J. M. Barrie s plays in one volume, in both cloth and leather editions. t) During the holiday season “Liber will be obliged if correspondents will kindly refrain from sending him queries, as to book values, and on similar subjects. Later on he will be happy to answer, as correctly as he can, such correspondence. Ronald Firbank. whose stories, sometimes suffering from an over "precious” tone, have won wide favour on both sides of the Atlantic, died in Italy in October. Duckworth’s are issuing a set of his works in five volumes, with an introduction by, Arthur Waley, and a personal memoir by Osbert Sitwell. Amongst coming new volumes will be an edition in one volume, published by Heinemann, of Jane Austen.

AT THE SIGN OF THE LYRE “An Anthology of School.” An" anthology of a totally different character to any of the numerous collections of verse we have had of late is Mr. C. S. Holder’s “An Anthology of School,” being a selection of English poems on schools, schoolboys, and schoolmasters (John Laue). . This collection has evidently been most carefully compiled, the various selections being grouped according to subject. Many old favourites are here, verses by T. E. Brown, two of Byron’s poems on Harrow, Lionel Johnson and Swinburne on Eton, etc. Under the heading “The Old- Boys” are verses by E. E Bowen, Edward Thring of Uppingham (“The Old Boys’ Match”), Thomas Hardy (“He Revisits His Old School”), Stevenson, Sir Henry Newbolt, and E. W. Hornung. Even in the earliest times, some of the greatest of thinkers appreciated the delights of holidays. Did not the very seriousminded Sir Thomas More once writeread it aloud: — I am called Chyldhod, in play is all my mynde, To cast a coyte, a corstile, and a ball. A toppe I can set, and dryve it in his kynde, But would to God these hateful bookes all Were in a fyre burnt to ponder small. Then I might lede my lyfe always in Play, Which lyfe God sende me to myne undying day. How many tens of thousands of lads would not have approved—about “prep, time”—of More’s wish to burn “these hateful bookes”? I do not know that I have come across a more delightfully “dippable” anthology than that of Mr. Holder. (10s.) New Zealand Verse. A special interest attaches to “Poems” (1921-22), by Walter D’Arcy Cresswell (Wells, Gardner, and Co.), in that this modest little sheaf of verse is the work of a young New Zealander, a native of Christchurch, whose uncle was until recently headmaster of Wellington College. The publishers state that the poems here collected were first brought to their notice by the author, “who came to their office with a number of leaflets which he was then selling from door to door throughout London and the couuntry.” He had typed these as he required them, until “the present publishers supplied him with printed copies of a selection from his poems. These he has ■ since sold in England for a living, until, with the assistance of two generous patrons he is now enabled to submit this, his first book, to* the impartial judgment of the critics and the public.” That judgment should be appreciative, for not a few of the poems exhibit an inward spirit of delicate, truly poetic feeling, and are set forth with much grace of literary expression. Some of the earlier poems exhiibt signs pf a certain crudity of thought, but are, nevertheless, interesting in their comparison with those exemplificative of an older and better developed .natural talent. The poem, “In Autumn,” contributed to that high-class English periodical “The New Statesman,” strongly calls for quotation, but space, alas, forbids. Mr. Cresswell will, I trust, soou find more profitable channels than verse for his unquestioned literary talent. (65.). SOME RECENT FICTION Mr. Walpole’s Short Stories. We can’t have, it seems, a long novel. a three-decker such as “Wintersmoon,” from Mr. Hugh Walpole, this year. The next best thing is a collection of short stories such as his “Silver Thorn” (Macmillan), and for these not a few readers will be duly thankful. They are a mixed batch, but most of them have that delicate, essentially personaltouch which. perhaps is better shown in this medium than in the more sustained efforts. The motif may at first appear slight, but the treatment is such that a permanent impression remains. Take, for instance, “The Etching.” A bank manager, married to “a large, four-square, genial, redfaced, grey-haired woman, with bright blue eyes, and a hearty laugh,” essentially what her friends would call a “sensible woman of the world,’,’ has no children and becomes, almost by accident, a collector, all in a modest way, of etchings. So long as he confines his hobby to not very expensive Strangs, Daubignys, Legros, and so on. all is comparatively right.” she treats his hobby as a harmless eccentricity. But he goes to the galleries, subscribes secretly to the “Print Collectors’ Quarterly,” and finally succumbs to the quiet beauty of an original Whitldr, “The Balcony,” at £l6O. He hides his prints away beneath his shirts; they are discovered by his wife, and there is a row. Tha wife tears up the treasures, and then there is at once a debacle of the marital happiness and a separation. A perfectly simple story, but with perfect character drawing. Another story. “A Picture,” is, in its own wax, a variation —before marriage

this time —of a similar motif, but equally impressive. A sketch, "The Tarn,” has a more tragic conclusion. ’ and “No Unkindness Intended” and "Bachelors” have a welcome Polchester background. But all are very readable, and Mr. Walpole’s stories may be commended to all readers — of the non-sensation-loving type—who may come across the book. Frankincense. Guy Fletcher’s “Frankincense” (Cassell). A deserted wife bears a daughter who, the mother dying in childbirth, is looked after by an aunt until she is seventeen, when the longneglected father puts in an appearance and takes the girl away on a big-game expedition to Africa. Here she meets and marries Jimmy Dreen, her father objecting. A son. Geoffrey, is born, and the father fights gallantly in France, there being blinded. Proud of their boy. who scores alike in athletics and study, at Eton and Oxford, the Dreens enjoy a temporary peace and happiness, but the son disappoints them by becoming a Roman Catholic, and sails for Africa as a missionary. A well-told family history, but lacking that dramatic touch to be found in a satisfactory climax. “David and Diana.”

“David and Diana,” by Cecil Roberts (Hodder and Stoughton). is scarcely up to the high standard set by its author in his earlier novels, notably in “Scissors,” but it is the none the* less a highly entertaining story, specially amusing in its pictures of life in the theatrical boardinghouse where the heroine first stays in London, and in its descriptions of the Riv iera and of the negro quarter of New York. The love story of the two leading- characters is peppered with untoward complications, but its reader will rejoice at its happy ending. “Eliza For Common."

Since the publication of “The Setons,” “Olivia Douglas,” who is a sister of Mr. John Buchan, has given us not a few stories which, in particular her “Penny Wise,” have pleasant pictures of family life, with as a rule a clerical environment. Her latest story, “Eliza For Common” (Hodder and Stoughton), is yet another . family chronicle. The Laidlaws, especially the shrewd and practical mother, the father, a delightfully unworldly minister, and Jimmy, the clever son, who ■wins a scholarship at Balliol, are all

likeable characters, but despite the sentimental interest of three betrothals, the story as a story is too largely a “chronicle of small beer” to be worthy of the author of "The Setons.” “The Coward.”

A publisher’s blurb informs us that Neal Wainwright, author of “The Coward” (Payson and Clarke, New York, per the I.otliian Co.. Melbourne), is "responsible for the delightful interpretations of Maurice Dakoba’s cosmopolitan novels.” Also, that he has “written of the life lie knows best, the cosmopolitan life of Paris and New York,” which no doubt explains why his hero, an American translator of French fiction, is such an utterly contemptible creature, drink and drug sodden, a would-be Don Juan, whom file heroine, a wealthy woman, makes futile attempts to rescue. A stupid, unwholesome, and in many ways objectionable story. Six Minutes’ Past Twelve.

Professor Bastion, anthropologist, scientist, in general, and sleuth by natural instinct, assisted by a melan-choly-visaged Watson, in the person of Major Kettering Bevis, tire chief figures of the amateur detective variety. in Gavin Holt’s "Six Minutes Past Twelve” (Hodder ami Stoughton) are holiday making at an English country inn when they feel impelled to investigate a criminal mystery at Fembridge Hall, the murder of an objectionable persoft, who, posing as a sporting magnate, is a blackmailer and criminal of a very lurid past and unwholesome present. The professor rivals Sherlock Holmes in uncanny insight, and his friend proves a useful assistant in solving a very complicated problem. Quite a novelty in detective stories in its clever character drawing.