LITERARY COLUMN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1906, Page 11

LITERARY COLUMN.

NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS

J " No. 101." By Wymond Carey. London : William Blackwood and Sons. The author of this historical romance has chosen a picturesque if unhappy time in the history of Franco. The period is that of the reign of Louis XV., and the story begins early in 1745, tho year of Fontenoy, shortly before the king fell under the influence of Madame Pompadour, who is one of the leading figures in the novel. From a short note by way of appendix, it seems that there is a solid historic basis for the " motive" from which the book derives its title. Tho French king, contrary to his avowed policy and unknown to his ministers, was in secret communication with the Jacobite leaders in Britain, and the details of the intrigue were revealed to England at intervals by some one in the French Court, whose identity was care- j fully concealed, whose communications j bore a secret cipher, and who was known j only by the number " 101." The unknown demanded a handßome fee for the information, but it was always authentic, and showed iniimate knowledge of the king's most cherished secrets. The author has mada good use of liis material. Tho battle of Fontenoy gives the opportunity of some spirited war pictures; the personages include soldiers, noble men, courtiers, and spies; there is a royal sensualist and a hopelessly corrupt court, with its envy, hatred, and intrigues. With great skill the author depicts the personal charm and magnetism of the woman who ruled France through the king, and conversely depicts a maid of honour who maintained a blameless life in an evil atmosphere. Tho author furnishes here and there a clue by which an attentive- reader may possibly unravel the plot as he proceds. The Pall Mall Magazine for May ppens with the first instalment of a stirring historical, romance, .by H. C. Ba.iley, "Raoul, Gentleman of Fortune." The period the author ha 6 chosen is that of the fight for the independence of Holland, after the Duke of Alva had been succeeded by the Grand Commander of Castile, Louis de Requesens. Each section is complete in itself, and' the first narrates how the two children of the Burgomaster of Leyden were saved from the Spanish wolf by Raoul, adventurer and rascal, the (hero of the story. The narrative has some excellent illustrations by Alexander C. Ball. Cutcliffe Hyne shows inexhaustible invention in following up "The Trials of Commander M'Turk. }> "The Trail of the Picneer," by Alexander Macdonald, is a strong and vigorous story of an Australian gold "rush." "The Haystack," by Dorothea Deakin, is a clever little rustic comedy. Frank Richardson contributes a lively sketch, illustrated with snap-shots, of "Derby Day." Annie Luden tells the life-story of the aged Academician, Josef IsraeLs, and the article is illustrated with a portrait of the patriarchal painter and examples of his art. Much more might bo noted, in verse, prose, and illustration, for the present is in all respe*cts a first-class number. Tho -Red Funnel for June contains an account of Holman Hunt, with an appreciation of "The Light of the World," by Rachel Dee Brownlowe. 'Mr. Reginald Ford, one who took part in the last Antarctic expedition, and still hears "Thb 'Call of the South," contributes an illustrated article on " The Fascination of the Uttermost South." A short story by Thornton Curtis, "The Urn of Ashes," is a fine piece of work — strong, original, and artistically wrought. Ethel Turner's story, "In the Mist of the Mountains," is continued,, and there are other interesting I contributions in prose and verse. It is difficult now to get copies of th© late Lord Houghton's life of Keats. The book, however, is to be issued in iaxro volumes in Routledge's Universal Library, i

The number of different sets of Shakespeare's collected works put on the market between 1801 and 1900 is estimated at 800,000, and if we allow an average j of seven volumes in each set we find the ! circulation of volumes to approach six ' millions. Nine new editions a year have thus far distinguished the twentieth century. We have a small parcel of new music from the Frederick Harris Company, 89, Newman-street, Oxford-street, London, W. "O, thank me not" (O, danke nicht), is a little gem of Heine's, -translated by Edward Hivrper and set to music by Albert Mallin6on. It is one of a series of thirteen songs by the same composer, from the German and Danish, and English and German words aTe given in each case. Mr. Mallinson is a prolific and popular composer, and his ballads are widely known in England and Germany through the singing of Mrs. Mallinson and Madame Ada Crossley. The music of the song before us is woTthy of the words with wnich it is associated ; sweet and sympathetic, and so simple as to present no difficulties to any singer. "The Maoriland Waltzes," by Maxime Heller, are adorned by an effectivo cover, represent ing a beach in Milford Sound, Mitre Peak in tlie background, and a Maori maid in native costume who has somehow strayed into that uninhabited region. The music is fluen 1 and melodious, and the set of waltzes should become very populaT. The "Sizilietta Waltz," on melodies composed by Franz yon Blon, arranged by Archibald Evans, is a meritorious set, and has been performed at state balls at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.