NEW BOOKS.

Evening Star, Issue 17928, 25 March 1922, Page 13

NEW BOOKS.

•‘The Garden of Memories. ’■ By H. St. John Oooper-Sampson. Low, Marston, and Col, Ltd., London, The prologue describes the Manor House of the parish of Homewood, in Sussex, in the year 1703. Madame Elmacott is proud of her house, proud of her garden, proud of the flowers that grow in it, and, above nil, proud of her stalwart sons, Master Nat and Master Dick, who are with His Grace of Marlborough in Flanders fighting their country s battles. Madame’s hopes are centred on her sons. For them the estate is tended with tho greatest care, and a goodly heritage awaits them. Alas! for the vanity of human wishes. When the story opens Madame Elmacotb and her sons have gone tho way of all flesh. Tim pleasant gardens are a wilderness, the house empty and deserted, and notice is to bo observed : “ This Desirable Family Mansion, with Seven Hundred and Fifty Acres of Land, To Be Sold.” Dreams and memories haunt a village maid who goes to this garden constantly, drawn always by an irresistible impulse. They haunt young Allan Homewood, the son of Sir Jfosiah Homewood, a rich city merchant who has purchased the place as a marriage gift for Allan after successfully arranging for a marriage' between bun and the portionless but beautiful daughter of the cynical, impoverished, and unscrupulous Earl of Gowerhur&t. Allan is a descendant of former workers on tho Homewood Estate, and so is tho village maid. In this way the theory of reincarnation is introduced. Naturally, when Allan takes his bride to Homewood curious complications occur. This part, of course, is not Convincing, but tho book as a whole is excellent. The Earl of Gowerhurst, his daughter Lady Kathleen, tho self-made Sir Josiali Homewood, and various village characters are drawn with a sure touch, and the beauties of tho Sussex countryside are revealed in almost every page.

‘ Alpine Ski-ing.’ By Arnold Limn. Forwarded by Methuen and Co., Ltd., London.

Alpine sld-ing has numerous adherents and enthusiasts in every part of tho globe, and this text hook by a well-known skirunner contains a fund of information tor the followers of that exhilarating pastime. The author has made a long study of tho sport, and gives many and useful hints and tips for the beginner and expert alike. Several chapters deal with the various branches of snow-craft, and local mountaineers will find much of interest m the perusal of these pages. The book a.so contains several photographs of ski-mg and snow conditions in the Alps.

VARIOUS MAGAZINES,

Tho Americans take great pains in tho production, of their magazines. Tho printing, tho general arrangements, and the illustrations are excellent, and the quality of the stories and articles on the whole is good. The February ‘Red Bock,’ the March number of ‘Ace High, and the February issue of the ‘ Cosmopolitan have reached us from Gordon and Gotch. Those who read at all widely would do well to sample these magazines, if they have not already done so. Messrs Gordon and Gotch have also sent a number of English magazines. _ The January ‘ Grand,’ which is well illustrated." contains. as usual, some excellent short stories. This will be readily understood when it is stated that among tne contributors are William Lo Queux (the inimitable writer of mystery tales), Edgar Wallace, Baroness Orczy, and others of almost equal ability. ‘ Stars of the Stage and Screen ’ (with reproductions of photographs) is a particularly interesting article. ‘ My Magazine,’ edited by Arthur Mee, is probably one of the most popular publications of the day. It will be read with, pleasure by everyone; but it is especially adapted for the home. Information is convaved so cleverly and attractively that it "will be read by young people with avidity. Modem scientific achievements and history are enclosed in an atmosphere of romance that make these subjects, so often considered dull, as enthralling as any tale of adventure. ‘The Premier’ is another magazine that makes a good fireside companion. Tales of mystery, love, adventure, and intrigue are related by men who excel in this kind of writing. The editor of tho ‘ Red Magazine ’ has secured the services-of some of the best of Britain’s short story writers; while the ‘ Yellow ’ is also worth sampling, for on the contents page will be found the names of Victor Bridges (author of ‘Mr Lyndon at Liberty ’), Charles G. D. Roberts, F. Morton Howard, A. G. Greenwood, etc.