BOOKS of the WEEK

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 111, 3 February 1934, Page 19

BOOKS of the WEEK

Reviews and Passing Notes

PSYCHOLOGICAL REVELATION

A Fuller Light Thrown on Samuel Pepys “Samuel Pepys: The Man in the Making,’’ by Arthur Bryant (Cambridge: The University Press). To the biographer, as Mr. Bryant admits in his preface, the life of Pepys presents a unique opportunity. Like most other great public men, Pepys left ample evidence in his correspondence, and various other writings from which his history could have been compiled. But, as everyone knows, he did much more than that. “What is so singular,” Mr. Bryant continues, "is that this successful man of affairs should have also left a record of his most secret thoughts and actions which is at ouce a literary masterpiece and a psychological revelation more profound than that of any novel.” From this journal, covering nearly ten years of his earlier life, Pepys. excluded nothing, however humiliating, which he considered revelant to his daily being. The whole of the diary—it runs to 1.300,000 words —has not yet been published; there are many phssages which it has been felt should not appear unblushiugly in print, and in place of them dashes and rows of dots have allowed the reader to imagine the worst. In Mr. Bryant’s opinion, it is better that the full truth should be known and to that end he has quoted from several of the hitherto-suppressed passages, since what they reveal is a material part of the many-coloured picture. The result does not show Pepys in too innocent a light. But lest those who read should set Pepys down merely as a vicious man, Mr. Bryant adds a word of caution. “It is more just,” he says, “to think of him as one who, beset in youth by frailties all too common, had rare justice bo see his faults with clear eyes and unflinchingly record them against himself. Nor did he ever let his manifold infirmities harden his heart; he confessed his wrong, repented, and endeavoured (sometimes with pitiful lack of success) to effect a cure.” It would be difficult to praise Mr. Bryant’s biography too highly. He has caught just the right mood, and his style matches the verse of his subjects. His presentation of Pepys, as the boy, the rising administrator, the amorist, the husband trembling before his wife’s wrath, shows the living man himself. His faults are viewed with an indulgent eye. but for all that they are never obscured. This is a full-length portrait of Pepys up to his thirty-seventh year, when the diary ends. There is sufficient detail to keep one constantly interested without the overabundance that might make wearisome reading. Pepys’ later life as a high official of the Navy will be dealt with in a second volume to come from Mr. Bryant.

LOWBROW LAUGHTER “Nine Days' Blunder,” by W. Gerald Elliott (London: Jenkins), A middleaged major suddenly disappears. The little village of Pofileigh . thinks he is drowned, and what the little village of ■Poffleigh thinks is liable to cause a bit of a sur in the little village of Poffleigh. In these nine days Poffleigh excels itself and becomes notorious. “Eva and Adam,” by John Glyder (London: Jenkins). Farce a la Wodehouse; and a good attempt, too. The action takes place inside and outside the walls of a yellow English country mansion. The time is balmy midsummer, and, in fact, notbjng is' in conflict with the production of plenty of laughter. "Button Brains,” by J. Storer (Houston (Loudon: Jenkins). Robert, the accomplished and handsome young robot, arrives in an English household. He has been modelled by an uncle inventor after the exterior appearance of his nephew. Mistaken identity, amusement, and confusion follow. "The Virtuous Vamp,” by J. Storer Clouston (Edinburgh: Blackwood). Mr. (Houston here has written something that is as different from the robot tale as it could be, and yet it is extremely funny. Some time ago he wrote “Colonel Dam.” an indulgently delicate story, about Ursula, a child with surprising ambition, which breaks out in unconscious humorous novel writing, fclere, the young lady, having grown at the age of eleven years to a vamp’s estate, continues with her ambition. She and the mtiny others in the story, are really funny. “Oh, Definitely!” by Maurice Lincoln (London: Constable). A very funny book. Ridiculous conversation and futile activity of the group of well-to-do people who con,pose the cast have oil elaborate modern naivete. Here a lowbrow, or a pretended lowbrow, laughs daringly at contemporary smart idleness.

DENT’S LATEST REPRINTS The latest reprints received from the first of J. M. Dent and Sons include six additions to the splendid double volume series— “ The Faerie Qtieene,” by Edmund Spenser, “The Iliad and Odyssey,” of Homer. “Les Miserables,” by Victor Hugo, "Critical and Historical Essays,” by Macauly, the Poems, Life and Letters of Keats, and “The Conquest of Mexico,” by W. H. Prescott. The test of “The Faerie Queene” has been edited by Dr. R. Morris, who also supplies a glossary. The book is introduced by Professor J. AV. Hales. The “Iliad” is translated by the Earl of Derby and the "Odyssey” by AVilliam Cowper. The introduction is by F. M. Stawell. The translation of the Victor Hugo book is by Charles E. AVilbour and the introduction by S. R. John. , There are four new volumes of Everyman’s Library. The last, “A Biographical Dictionary of Foreign Literature,” brings the total of volumes in the library to 900. The other three new’ ones are Emile Zola’s “Germinal,” translated, with an introduction, by Havelock Ellis, “The Captain’s Daughter and Other Tales,” by Alexander Pushkin, translated and introduced by Natalie Duddington, and “Plays by Webster and Ford,” selected by Dr. G. B. Harrison, who also writes the introduction. One of the plays in this last-named book appears separately in the Temple Dramatists series. It is “The White Devil,” by John Webster. Two further volumes in this series are “The Malcontent,” by John Marston, and “The Way of the World,” by AVilliam Congreve. The first two are edited by Dr. Harrison and the last by Dr. AV. P. Barrett. A very welcome reprint is “The Life and Lyrics of Richard Rolle,” by Frances M. M. Comper. This is the first cheap edition of a work in which are gathered together for the first time the lyrics and religious poems of one of the most important of the English mystics.. Rolle, the Hermit of Hampole. _ Ronald Gunner’s novel, “Reconstruction,” now appears in a cheap edition. It is a good story, the main theme being the clash of the pre-war and war-time mind with that of the present generation. “The Times” has reprinted from its files of 1833 four extracts from reports which boar every mark of Dickens’s characteristic style, and the suggestion is made that Dickens himself may have 'been a reporter for “The Times.” On August 20, 1833, appeared a report of the speech of one Simpson on the occasion of his benefit at Vauxhall. Simpson is recorded to have said, “Excuse me, my illustrious, distinguished, noble, and other respectable patrons; my grateful feelings—God Almighty bless you—many thanks—heart overflowing—and the Royal Gardens, too —the ever-to-be-remembered twelfth of April, 1782 — huge, red-sided ship-—gilt lion—Count de Grasse.” The resemblance of this to the style of Mr. Jingle is pointed out by a writer in "The Times.” In “The Times” of February 11, 1833, is an account, of a scene in the Justice Room in Hatton Garden, which recalls the. incidents in “Pickwick Papers” in which Mr. Napkins, Mayor of Ipswich, brought a charge against a special constable. On July 29, 1833. in a case at Marlborough Street, allusion is made to "a little personage, with a prodigiously luxuriant crop of hair, having the warlike nomenclature of Nelson Augustus Wellington prefixed to the more peaceful patronymic of Jones.” On August 14 iu the same year Mr. John Downes defended himself against a charge of having stolen trousers and offered the Dickensian plea that he was “quite hinnoeent, your vorship.” He is reported to have alleged that, as he was looking at them dangling outside a shop he was “blessed if they didn’t all of a sudden drop naturally slap-bang” into his arms. There is no record of Dickens .ever having been engaged by "The Times,” but his mother’s' brother, John Barrow, was on the staff ol the paper.

A DIPLOMAT’S STORY International Career and Adventure “Memoirs of a Diplomat,” by Constantin Dumba, translated from the German by lan F. D. Morrow (London: Allen and Unwin). Dr. Constantin Dumba, whose very readable reminiscences are here made available to an English public, was iu his time one of the foremost diplomats of Central Europe. He joined the Austrian diplomatic service in 18S0, and ,<i year later was appointed an attache to the Ambassador in London. He was in turn secretary to the embassies at St. Petersburg, Rome, and, Bucharest, and then was given the opportunity of going to Paris as councillor of embassy under Count AVolkensteim His six years in Paris, at a time when a new France was arising and great successes wer’b forthcoming from the vigorous colonial policy of the Third Republic, established for Dr. Dumba a reputation which brought him next to the difficult and important post of Minister to Belgrade. He was there during the last six months of King Alexander’s rule. He witnessed the revolt of the plotting army officers of Serbia and the murder of the Klug and hrs wife. For two years after the election of Peter Karageorgevic as the new King he carried on the responsible task of maintaining the influence of Austria in an atmosphere outspokenly hostile. In 1905 Dr. Dumba left Belgrade, and after periods spent in Vienna and Stockholm was appointed in 1913 Ambassador to the United States, the position with which his name is now’ mostly connected. In .1915 efforts to prevent Austrian nationals in America working in factories manufacturing armaments intended for the Allies became known, and by the discovery of a rather indiscreet letter, he was accused of seeking to organise strikes and disorder throughout industrial America. Owing to the outburst of public opinion against him, he was forced eventually to leave the country. This marked the end of his diplomatic career. Dr. Dumba sets out the whole story in these pages, and does it in that goodhumoured manner characteristic of all his actions. He even provides as illustrations several of the cartoons directed against him by various newspapers at the time. All through the book the charm of his personality is evident, and his commentary on the many famous men be met and on the outstanding political events of his lifetime is particularly valuable. His memoirs form a splendid contribution to the history of the foreign policies of all the nations with whose leaders ho came so much in contact.

A CRITIC ON POPULARITY . Roger Pippett, whose critical articles m "Ihe Daily Herald” always deserve attention, h.'w been discussing the chances of the individual book amid the vast output 01. new novels. He believes we shall never see again the colossal sales that a popular novel attained before the World War. '■The Good Companions,” he states, :s the last post-war story that has approaened the level of circulation reached by "The Bondsman,” "The Sorrows of Satan,” and "The Rosary.” But standards of competence among novelists have never been higher than to-day. Mr. Pippett can think of a score of women'writers —Rose Macaulay. E. M. Delafield. Winifred Holtby and others—beside whose routine work a Marie Corelli romance would look shoddy and unreal. Accordingly, instead of a few s writers making enormous surusi mid the Vest a mere pittance, we have now a considerable number of men and women making a comfortable income. ' It is quite hopeless, in Mr. Pippett’s opinion, to attempt to forecast the popular demand in literature. Nobody could have predicted the recent astonishing vogue of scientific and economic works. The sales of Sir Janies Jeans's books have amazed both the author and his publishers. Another interesting sign of tne I hues is the fact that Karl Marx’s "Das Kapital” ranks fourth in popularity among the 900 volumes in Everyman’s Library. The only thing of which one can be certain, according to this critic, is that Ihe widely selling story of the future will exploit, in some form or other, the hopes and fears of contemporary humanity. Fur .example, Louis Golding's “Magnolia Street” owed its success largely to its carrying a pacifist message at a moment when the issue of peace mid war was again disturbing the complacency of the British public. Hut not even the acuted critic can tell who will be the best sellers of the future. The author of the next book that achieves a sensational sale will lie llio last person, says Mr. Pippett, to anticipate th.c hectic destiny that lies' before him. MURDERS DETECTED “The Siamese Twin Mystery,” by Ellery Queen. Written by a man of whom Mr. J. B. Priestley writes: "He has long seemed to me one of the very best detective authors now writing, and I always grab every new story of his that comes along.” Whoever grabs this one will find truth in the statement. "The Clue of the Dead Goldfish.” by Victor MaeClure (London: Harrup). Murder will out. and the most important clue to this particular guile one is a squashed goldfish lying by a lily-pond. “The Charge is Murder.” by .1. M. Spender (Sydney: Dymoek's Book Arcade). If murder had not been committed that night Betty Pattison would probably have become engaged Io Clive Franklin. ... Of course, she does by the end, but. in between is a good yarn. “Bed Hair,” by Sefton Kyle (London: Jenkins). Young lady's, courage and resource versus vile machinal ions of ruthless villains. The book has large type, anti in other respects, too. is easy to read. “Death Conies to Fanshawe,” by James Corbett (Loudon: Jenkins). The Secret Service, a girl, her murdered brother, and her quest for revenge. Probably one of the nastiest jobs the S.S- has been given for a long time. “Under Twelve Stars,” by Harry Stephen Keeler (London: Ward, Lock). The author’s Macabre mind is here exerted to do its best. American crime, man hunt and detection, with an original flavour. “Mr. Cronin's Cases," by W. A. Darlington (London : Jenkins). A mild little man wins fame and fortune as a detective. It is a new departure in detective fiction, but it would not be fair to tell why. The author wrote “Alt’s Button.” “A Killer at Scot land Yard.” by C. Davison (London: Jenkins). Something well up to standard from the author of the “Man With the Twisted Face" stories. "The Unknown Enemy,” by Gret Laue (London: Jenkins). Bewildered terror racks a peaceful Wiltshire village. The enemy is intelligent, but when five other men pit against him their astuteness and determination there is plenty of interest for the reader. “The Arch Criminal.'’ by Roland Daniel (London: Wriglil and Brown). Crime, the inevitable lack of clues, and romance, with a background of mystery. A monster criminal joins in a battle of wits with Scotland Yard-

MEDICAL ROMANCE “Great Doctors,” a biographical history of medicine, by Henry E. Sigerist, M.D. Translated by Eden and Cedar Paul. London: Allen and Unwin). "Great Doctors” was originally published in Germany iu 1932. Within a year a second edition was called for, ■and with it the English translation by Eden and Cedar Paul was printed. The author has been wonderfully fortunate in his translators for throughout the book there is a beauty of diction, and ■a smoothly running sequence of sentences that make its reading doubly pleasant. It is a book of distinction and variety. Its sub-title, "A Biographical ■History of Medicine,” conveys rather more of its contents than does its chief heading. The author starts with the healing arts of mythology, dealing delightfully and not too lengthily with the legends of the birth, life, and death of Aesculapius (the death brought, on himself by his overstepping the ordinary limits of a physician’s work and bringing back the dead to life, thus incurring the wrath of Pluto, who resented the depopulation of his underworld kingdom). Passing then from myth to the opeming of history, and to the life of Hippocrates, the ideal physician who "lived his life and practised his art serenely and sacredly,” the author traces the development of the practice of medical science, as shown by the outstanding events in the lives of the great doctors of Greece, of the Roman Empire, and of Persia, until in chapter ten he reaches western civilisation with Constantine of Africa. There follow Italy, Paris, Switzerland (where lived for ■a time von Hohenheim, who latinised bis name to Paracelsus), and in chapter sixteen the first Englishman is mentioned, AVilliam Harvey. From then on comes a galaxy of famous names, among them Sydenham. John Hunter, Jenner, Corvisart, Skoda, Claude Bernard, Virchow, Pasteur, Koch, Lister, Ehrlich, and a host of others whose lives and work have influenced the art ■and practice of medicine, until the book ends in chapter forty-eight with the new world. America, and the story of AVilliam Osler. It has meant years of study to the author to produce 'this work: not only study but study with an affectionate sympathy for the men whose lives lie ■studied; and he has given a fascinating story to his readers. These lives are sketched so vividly that one feels' that the author exaggerates not at all when he writes: “Their lives have in a sense become part of my own.” Professor Sigerist has given a much bigger thing- than a series of biographical sketches. He Jias traced the history of the development of medicine throughout, the ages, and done so with that lighter touch that, makes the reading of it. as delightful to the layman as if must be a. source of pride to the physician of to-day.

BRIDGE-PLAYERS’ REFERENCE “The Culbertson Plastic Bridge Diary, l!)3t,” compiled by F. von Knsserow (London: Jenkins); “New Laws of Contract Bridge, 1933, by R. F. Foster (London : Jenkins). The first of these books is an unusually elaborate calendar providing space for the writing down of bridge appointments. Its chief value, however, lies in its concise explanation of the Culbertson system, by means of illustrated coloured plates "plastically” showing and explaining hand valuation, correct bids, responses, and the like. 11 should make a convenient reference book on fundamental propositions. Mr. Foster’s little book provides an excellent summary of contract procedure. There are several photographs calling attention to some aspects usually ignored by Hie average player, ami indicating some of the laws witli regard to irregularities that frequently come up for decision. The rules, for scoring are given in detail. AH'. Foster packs plenty of sound advice into small space. 50 YEARS’ WORD HISTORY To celebrate the publication of I lie Supplementary Volume of the Oxford Dictionary, a luncheon was held at th:? Goldsmiths’ Hail. London, in November. Of course the subject of Hie addresses was words. Mr. George Gordon, president of Magdalen College, Oxford, spoke very interestingly on the novelties ilint have been introduced into Hie English lahguuge during the last filly yeais changes and novelties which are included in the Supplementary Volume. Proposing the toast ot the editors (Sa William Cragie ami Dr. C. T. Onions) ami stall of the extra volume. Mr. Gordon said that his supplement provided a kind of rude and crude epitome ot the very strange generation to which lliJse living to-day either belonged or had lived tlirougl. . . , , The new words, lie continued, made <i fascinating list. They included : Cubi.nn, futurism, robot, pacifism, radium, tne movies, the screen, talkies, tank, hooligan, loudspeaker, broadcasting, slimming, psycho-analysis, ga-ga, pussyfoot, photostat. profiteer, bubbly, slapstick and lipstick. The word “one-step” was first recorded in "Home Chat. ' ami .the fust known publication of "gasper ’ was in "Isis.” the Oxford University tindeigraduate periodical. At the first glance the United Mates seemed to have an inordinate share tn tlie present volume. But American terms, Mr. Gordon declared, were so expressive —"so impatiently near the truth that it was very hard to resist them a place in any honest lexicon. Such terms were graft, otice-over. dope, foolproof. Australia had contributed such terms as barracking, make a bloomer, and no-iltes-on-me. "How far.” Mr. Gordon said, "one would like one's own generation to be represented l>,v lite Supplementary A oltime I am not quite sure. It gives the impression of a very talented, very nervous, highly-strung generation, equally harassed by its pleasures as by its pains, and eager to pass from one sensation to another to which it is no less equal. There are too many words devoted to the expression of passing moods extraordinarily analysed. ... “1 find too many ingenuities lor the expression of fashion, distinctions tn clothes, both male and female. I find too large a vocabulary-—for a virile mitio’.i —devoted to distinguish every possthl: 1 kind of comfort at every hour of tlie 'lay and night. The ‘bedside book' and every other kind of bedside comfort is a new element in English history. I was startled to find the extraordinary amount of space Inken up by (lie language ot games. . . . We have come to play games seriously. That is a subject about winch a pltilosonher might write something. Sir William Cragie. responding to the toast, said that all Hie sciences had <I”veioped a new terminology and had popularised it. Tim Supplementary Volume, lie pointed out. was not- merely a record of new words, but a record of tlie. progress of tlie world nt largo in practically all spheres of thought nt'tl notion in all the arts and sciences. The English language was no longer the language of Lnginntl. hut a Itiugungo of world-wide ramp spreading into all the corners of the earth. Having spread, it did not stop, hut oatne hack—bringing with it all that had been invented.