TWO NEW BOOKS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 21

TWO NEW BOOKS

DR. HARROP'S WAKEFIELD JUDGE ALPERS'S MEMORIES (From "The Post's" Representative.) , ■. LONDON, 19th May. ; Dr.' A.; J. Harrop's work, "The Amazing Career of Edward Gibbon Wakeflcld," has been issued by Messrs. Allen and Unwin, and, doubtless/ will receive: full notice from the reviewers in the Dominion.. In the meantime, it is interesting to note that the "Daily Mail" has given the book prominent notice. ••-'fDn.Harropj" Says the* "Daily Mail,"' "tells "admirably tho strange story of Wakefield's life. Thirty years have passed since Dr. Garnett wrote the only extant biography of him, which has long-been out of print. Much fresh' material has become available, an dthi'sDr. Harrop has very'skilfully used; so'that: his book bo a permanent acquisition to our literaturo and indispensable to the student of Australasian • colonisation." : Side. by. side with the review of Dr. jEarrop's book is that of " Cheerful Yesterdays," by tho late Mr. Justice Alpers. The "Daily Mail" quotes from Lord Birkcnhead^s preface: "The career of Mr. Justice Alpers is one .more proof of the incomparable opportunities '.' by the British. Empire to : energy, courage, and resource." The reviewer quotes in .full one of the stories of genial crooks which the late author of the book had defended. "A Harris tweed suit, a panama hat, and a good cigar: these were his simple accessories, but he regarded them ■as indispejisable. 'Spare no pains to establish confidence,' >he said; 'once it's established there is nothing.you can't do: —even with the! smartest of stock agents.' He used to pose as the owner of sheep and cattle, selling his mythical property to gullible agents and pocketing the price. But he was proudest of borrowing ten pounds from a headmaster to whom he introduced himself as a father seeking a school for his sons, and who, of course, never saw his money nor his visitor again. Finally, he determined to remain honest! " 'How will you find scope for— well, for your: genius, for bluff—your— er—special talents?' I asked. " 'I intend'—and he pauses for . a moment to grin at me—'l intend to turn land and stock agent.' And ho kept his word."