NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 38, 13 August 1910, Page 13

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

«. "The Severed Mantle." By William Lindsey. London : Melhuen and Co. ; Whitcombe and Tombs, Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedin, New Zealand; Melbourno and London. Mr. Lindsey has a theme in which tho artistic story-teller can soundly revel when he betakes himself to write a narrative of the 12th century — the time of troubadours, of knights, and gallants — a- period particularly fraught with material for the descriptive novelist. The writings of Sir* Walter Scott are among the classics of the English language, most of which deal with this phase of history, when true chivalry and manly gallantry played their prominent parts. Mr. Lindsey would hardly desire any critical comparison, yet we can say that in "The Severed Mantle" he has given us pages that are reminiscent of the great Scottish novelist. It is a picture of Southern France — of Provence — in the time of tho troubadours and when the Crusadea were still a living reality; as the author says : — "The 'land of the nightingale aaid rose' when Idealism reigned supreme, with Love, Joy, and Song her councillors." The story breathes the soft air of young springtime, fresh and sweet, full of simpleness and beauty; and here no callous modern "Wase" is allowed to leaden the atmosphere. Mr. Lindsey, as he states, has shown us the troubadour as no mere wanderer "twanging a lnte," but an earnest, lofty life, graced with the accomplishments of the squire, and winning his knighthood by fair and manly ' chivalry. With the large number of novels abounding in morbid sentimentality and sensationalism served up to an undiscerning public, it is refreshing to turn to a healthful story, light and easily written, depicting scenes and episodes that must appeal to all who like to read of old feudal times. "Fair Ines." By Elhel Turner (Mrs. H. R. Curlewis). London : Hodder and Stoughton; J. P. Shand, Wellington. Mrs. H. R. Curlewis (Ethel Turner) has written many books, all of which have found a deserved popularity, and emphatically so with young girls, for whom she has so markedly devoted her talents. Her earlier novels have especially appealed to tho young student of the ladies' academy, and for many an hour's enjoyment have our sisters and daughters to thank Ethel Turner. In Ines the author has fjiven ua a mort> "older" story, one probably better suited to the young woman Avho is beginning to realise and face the everyday problems of life. The scone is placed tn an Australian township for the most part, and the actors are staged with happy effect. It is essentially a pretty story, and emits generosity and kindly feeling in every breath. The heroic sacrifice and self-effacement of one brother for the other, the awful shouldering ol another's crime, is graphically told, and with a noble sentiment that transcends the readei. There is no exaggeration, and its pathetic little touches are the work of a master hand. An auction sale, m which the bidding for a common china ornament, the loved treasure of a child, has its place, is simply and realistically told; with the spirited bidding to a "fancy price, only to be restored to the littlu owner, is onts ol tho many turns of pathos softly handled with fingers of gossamer. Ines is quite up to the high standard of the author's excellent works. "United Empire." The Royal Colonial Institute Journal for June, 1910, is Jo hand. Tho early pages, in common with other periodicals' for the same month, is devoted to the death of the late* King and the accession of George V. Some verses by D. H. Moutray Read, appropriate to Edward the Peacemaker, form the frontispiece. The Editorial Notes and Comments deal, as is natural, with items of interest to the Oversea Dominions^ in which United South Africa takes a large phare. "Education and Anthropology in West Africa," by A. J. N. Tremearne, lots in daylight to the stiiyi-at-home concerning the native question. Among the subjects* under "Greater Britain" is a timely digest and criticism, of Lord Kitchener's report on New Zealand defence, that is particularly instructive at the present time. There are many others of interest in the journal that will well repay attention. "The School Journal" in parts 1, 2, and 3 for August is quite up to tho level of its predecessors. A very good story of "English Children in India," in paifc 1, should awaken in the young mind a desire to learn more about) the Indian Empire, and prepare the way for serious reading later. In part 2, George Stephenson and the railway train form a chief item and should be both instructive and attractiv6 to the child. "The Travels of the Polos" in Asia i» a particularly good article and well-suit-ed to the higher, standards i-fart 3) for which it is intended. An excellent portrait of Lord Islington and an account of his landing in Wellington is also given. In each of the three parts the material is all admirably chosen and should well fulfil t-he objects of the Journal. Wellington Girls' College ' "Reporter" for the. first half-year of 1910 is to hand. It is well got up pnd quite up to the .standard of similar magazines. The events of interest to the girls are duly chronicled, also accounts of the various games and sports. There are a fe*v fchort articles, all of which are well and carefully writ-ten. In "School New?" we note that the library has been added to, and are pleased to see that Jane Ansten has not been relegated to the limbo of old frumps.