NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 71, 26 March 1910, Page 13

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

"White Walls." By Max Pemberton. (London: Ward, Lock, and Co., Ltd.) In -his latest novel, th© scene of which is laid in the Austrian Empire, Max Pemberton has invested with the glamour of romance a story of modern life. The "White Walls" are the salt mines of Rabka, in Oalicia, of which Countess UK»ia yon Erlach, after fifteen years' residence in a convent, proceeds to take possession on reaching the age of twentyone. She goes on a tour of inspection' of the subterranean world, aad after traversing its vast boulevards, lit by innumerable arc lamps, wh°re she received tbo acclamations of thousands- of workers, she is conducted through a series of caves to the underground river and lake of Rabka. Embarking on the lake, escorted by a police boat, Ulusia. is rowed to an island, and thero meets the hero of tho story, Jura the Wise—* man whose origin is surrounded by a. halo of mystery . He is the master of tne boatmen, and dwells in a remote part of the workings with his reputedmother, known as the "Whit* Witch." The plot devcrops rapidly ; incident succeeds incident with startling rapidity. Discontent among the miners, fostered by Count Rudolph, governor of the mine, for sinister Masons, culminates in revolt; a number of the soldiers are killed, and tho Goimteas'ft castle i« let on fire. Left alone in the burning building, Ulusia is rescued by Jura, who subsequently is arrested on a charge of inciting the outbreak. His striking likeness to a former owner of the mine gives rie« to a supposition that he m»y be the real heir, and there is much plot and counfcer-plot to obtain proof on this point. The mystery is eventually cleared up, the claims of Jura being Trded out of court; but meanwhile the mutnal love between him and L.usiahas been steadily growing, and, all difficulties bemg removed, the two return to Rabka to watch over their people, and also, it may be hoped, to find in married felicity compensation for the trials which beset the path of true rove. Neediestto fay, the tal« is told in Mr. Pemberton'e usual clear and forcible style, and the book, which is well illustrated by Maurice Greiffenhagen, is sure to bo widely read. "On the Branch." By Pierre de Coulevain. (London; George Bell and Sons.) In this book the lady who adopts the pseudonym of Pierre do Coulevain tells in biographical form the story of a French lady whose life is embittered ' and whose home joys are shattered by the discovery, immediately after her i husband's death, that he has been un- | faithful to her. Thenceforward she passes her days in various lands, living in hotels, and flitting from place to place like a bird — "on the branch." After several years of this aimless existence she feels the need of a purpose in life, and writes a novel, which brings her fame. A chance meeting with an English family at Cannes enlarges her circle of intimate friends; gradually her feelings undergo a change: she becomes reconciled to the cousin who supplanted her in her husband's affections, aad whole health has now broken down. In dying the cousin begs Madamo de Myercs, the wronged woman, to take her own place as guardian of her son— a painful charge, as the son has grown into the living picture of the father, who betrayed her. But the duty is successfully accomplished, and in the evening of her life she realises that tbe greatest happiness is gained through bringing about the happiness of others. Through the book there runs a strain of melancholy, relieved by pleasant love passages. It is a nocturne in the minor key, with bright melodies occasionally intervening. The author depicts powerfully the sensations of the unhappy widow, won back to lovo and homo after many years of solitary pining on i the branch. Especially fine is the closing chapter, when, her mission fulfilled, tho worn-out spirit prepares for flight into the unknown. The Connoisseur, which begins a new volume with its hundredth monthly number, is "a magazine for collectors ' with an established reputation. Two copies are before us, and the variety of their contents makes it difficult to single oat any single feature of conspicuous excellence. Even a casual inspection will impress the reader with the Taeauty I of the reproductions of rare paintings, ' on the covers, and in full-page plates J within. "A Surrey Manor Houee," by I Leonard Willoughby, describes and pictures Sutton Place and it* antiquities; there is an illustrated article by Dion Calthrop on "The Beauties of Hogarth," and Egan Mew has an appreciative article on "H. 8." (John Doyle), the clever and popular caricaturist of the "thirties." Other articles by specialists deal with rare pottery, ivory carving, laces, tapestries, old engravings, and numerous other articles sought by amateurs and collectors. The magazine makes special appeal to readers possessing taste and leisure. The Windsor Magazine for March opens with an article by Austin Chester on the art of Mts. Seymour Lucas, with j many reproductions of her work, including a full-page coloured reproduction ! of "I Care for Nobody." The studies of child-life in particular will appeal to all readers. "England's Story in Portrait and Picture deals with the i reign of Alfred the Great, and a com- ! parison of the varied attempts to illus- ; trate the more picturesque episode is ! interesting. Fiction is contributed by Beatrice Harraden, B«fry Pain, Jessie Pope, Justus Miles, Forman, and others. I Edward Noble (the artist-author, who wrote "Grain-Carriers") has a grim short story, against which may be placed in sharp contrast Dorothea Barrett's bright but fragmentary little sketch, "A New Zealand Pilgrimage." Great Thoughts for February (Smith's Publishing Company) supplies a large quantity of reading for a small price. There is an interesting account of Whitehall, which in Cardinal Wolsey's time stood in a park covering all the space between Scotland-yard and the spot | where Westminster Bridge now stands, | and reaching from the river to the thoroughfare which now bears its name. James I. contemplated rebuilding the palace on a grand scale, from designs by Inigo Jones; but only the banqueting hall was completed, and this is the only part of the ancient palace that now remains. It is used as a Chapel Royal. The paper contains biographical notes of Puccini, the composer, Sir T. M. Williams, of Welsh Eisteddfod fame, and others ; an account of some of Oxford's historic buildingn, and of the home of Chateaubriand ; and further instalments of a serial story by W. H. Kocbel. the scene of which is laid in New Zealand. Many selections are made from the leaders of thought in the literary, artistic, and scientific world.