BOOKS AND BOOKMEN

Evening Star, Issue 20980, 19 December 1931, Page 21

BOOKS AND BOOKMEN

VERSES UNDERSTUDY I, in a pool of candlelight, God, by His stars at night, Or in the golden flame of noon, Or bowed by His grave moon. Make poems out of shining things, Deep water, wet. leaves, wings—- - All of God’s things are mine to use, The tender purple bruise A hill makes, leaning on the sky, The dark owl’s' Stricken cry, And all the brittle, foolish pain Of crickets wanting rain. But He, with' shadow, scent, and vine, Shames anv work of mine; His frond of fern is mystery So terrible to me I tremble, being deaf and bund, To touch it with ray mmd. Oh, God, forgive my tongue that mars His lilies and His stars, , And God forgive my strange conceit ■' To make His rain more sweet. : Oh pitifully bless the pen That copies His. Amen. —Anne Sutherland, in the ‘ New Outlook,’ Toronto. THE SWIMMERS Down to the water’s edge they run, The eager, laughing, gay-clad swimmers, Into the brave eye of the sun And the golden light-drenched air. Scarcely they hesitate, hut plunge Swift to the breathless sea' that shimmers With million sparks of brightness. Bare Limbs cleave the ripples with a lunge, Break through the lacing foam that s flung Brilliantly white against the blue, Slow-falling, pendant, jewel-hung. Now in the widening' track that follows Quenched is the flame of their ecstasy, Slower the brown arms lift, till through Cool circles curved, like darting swal- . lows, . . • Their bodies yield to the waiting sea. At length they turn and wade content, Dream-laden from the wave’s caress, To find in vision trahsient A world new-washed'ill loveliness, —Elizabeth Tatchell', in the ‘Saturday Review.’ WRIT AGAINST SHAKESPEARE DOCUMENT NEWLY DISCOVERED Searching through the controlment lolls in the Record Office, Dr Leslie Hotson, the American professor who discovered and published the truth about the death of Christopher Marlowe, suddenly came upon this entry dated November 29, 1596“ England Be it ■ known that William Wayte craves sureties of the peace against William Shakspere, Francis Langley, Dorothy Seer wife of John Soer, and Anne Lee, for fear of death, and # so forth,” and from this slender beginning he has built up, a great volume of important facts and deductions which are summarised in ‘ Shakespeare Versus Shallow ’ (says ‘ John o’ London s .Weekly’). , .. . At first sight it seemed that all the record suggested was that Shakespeare was a turbulent fellow who, with three others, had threatened somebody called Wayte. But Langley’s name provided the key to an enlightenment of the mystery. BUILT THE SWAN PLAYHOUSE. Francis Langley was the owner of Paris Garden, in Southwark, and had built the Swan playhouse in the winter of 1594-1595. It is evident that m 1596 he was associated with Shakespeare, who, contrary to the accepted belief, was living on Bankside before 1599, when the famous Globe Theatre was opened. It is reasonable to suppose that Shakespeare’s company opened the Swan. _ _ , But who was Wayte? Dr Hotson went back and found that a few weeks before the writ of attachment Langley had craved “ sureties of the peace ■ against William Gardiner and William Wayte. Pursuing his investigations, he discovered that Wayte was the stepson of Gardiner, who was one of Hie biggest scoundrels that ever lived. He was a mean, contemptible villain who stole from even his nearest relations, and after being twice committed to prison himself ended as a justice of the peace for Surrey. JUSTICE SHALLOW COMES IN. The next step was to connect this unsavoury gentleman with Justice Shallow and to bring his wretched dupe, [Wayte—who had been defrauded by his stepfather—into the picture as Slender. His parallels are convincing. In his will Gardiner left ten marks to Bermondsey Parish Chufeh to buy a communion cup, and this chalice is still in use. Engraved on it are the arms of “ Gardiner impaling Lucy ” (Lucy was Gardiner’s second wife), which tends to confirm Dr Hotson’s theory and may be accepted as a more likely explanation of “ the dozen whito luces,” the obscure passage in the first scene of ‘ The Merry Wives,’ than the one generally accepted. Dr Hotson’s deductions are of great importance, and they are all thoroughly well documented. Shakespeare is revealed as a satirist who made use of current material for his plays. In addition," they point to the conclusion that ‘ The Merry Wives ’ was written in great, haste to be acted before the Queen at the Feast of the Garter at Westminster on April 23, 1597. Incidentally, Dr Hotson’s investigations also seem to suggest that Shakespeare had a hand in the play! Dr Gilbert Slater, in ‘ Seven Shakcspeares,’ which was published the same week, is of opinion that the “ Stratford trader and moneylender ” could hardly have been the author of the works that appear under his name. He puts forward his own theory that the plays were written by a group of writers closely connected with one another and the Elizabethan Court. All _ one can say is that the wind of genius blowing whore it listetb rarely lights on a committee..

A LITERARY CORNER

HEW BOOKS VON BULOW'S MEMOIRS SECOND VOLUME APPEARS The second of the four volumes of Prince Von Billow’s memoirs has reached us for review from Messrs Putnam. It surpasses in interest even the first volume. For here we are presented with the development of Kaiser Wilhelm’s megalomania and of the causes (of which that megalomania was only one) which led to the Great War. The cables have recently announced that the ex-Kaiser is at present engaged in writing a book in reply to Bulow. Those who have read the first volume of Bulow’s memoirs will be inclined to a smile of compassionate amusement on learning the ex-Kaiser’s intention. If there is one thing which the volume under review makes plain, it is the extreme dependence of Wilhelm on his Chancellor. This book covers the period of Bulow’s Chancellorship (1903-09), and the impression it conveys throughout is that in the main the Chancellor’s task_ was like that of humouring a self-willed child without letting him perceive that he is being adroitly led away from dangerous play-places. Every now and then the child escaped, got into some terrible scrapes, and had to appeal to his mentor to come and get him out of them. This Bulow unvaryingly did, at the same time accepting as far as he honourably could a share of tho responsibility, and in particular shielding his Royal master from the stricturesof the German people, who were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with a monarch who so frequently made a fool of himself and his country in tho eyes of the world. There were occasions when Bulow had to resort to very plain speaking, notably in respect to the famous ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ interview. So very downcast did Wilhelm become that he discussed the question of his abdication. But with characteristic buoyancy he recovered his spirits, with characteristic duplicity ho sought to implicate his rescuer, and with characteristic irresponsibility ho pro: >dcd to break out in a fresh place. Through it all Bulow was faithful both to his Emperor and to Germany. But he perceived the Kaiser’s gradual alienation from his Chancellor, and was quite prepared for his dismissal and replacement by Bethmann Hollweg—an irresolute. and spineless pedant, in Billow’s eyes. Thenceforward all the work Bulow had done for the preservation of peace in Europe was gradually undone, and tho culmination came in July, 1914. The temptation to quote at length is almost irresistible, for Bulow again shows himself a master of narrative, an analyst of men and women as well as of international political situations, a psychologist as well ns a diplomat. In tho story of Russo-German relations, not a little complicated at this period by the Russo-Japanese War and later by Balkan complications arising out of the Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one meets Count Witte and Isvolski, as well as Tsar Nicholas, as it were face to face. The Morocco crisis is treated very fully from the inside, and here one appreciates Bulow’s detestation of Delcasse, _ tho French statesman, “ a sinister figure on tho European chessboard.” Of absorbing interest to English readers is tho exhaustive treatment of the naval armament rivalry between Germany and England. Bulow was a sincere admirer of England, and while ho supported Germany’s naval programme, ho strove all the while to avoid friction with England over the matter, and, unlike Tifpitz (the creator of that navy ; and a strong Anglophobo), he certainly did not look forward to the day when the battleships should face one another with decks cleared for action. Bulow kept in the closest touch with Metternicb, German Ambassador in London, and the correspondence between these - two good friends should tend to enhance British people’s opinion of them ns capable, perceptive, well-meaning men, working in the interests of the peace of Europe as well as for tho advancement of Germany. They both hoped much from the advent of the Liberals to power at Westminster in 1906. Just prior to this Metternich wrote: “ Mr Haldane is destined for an important post in the forthcoming Liberal Cabinet, and is highly esteemed by, both parties. His education has been German, ho speaks German, and is friendly to Germany through and through. He is a Liberal of tho new Rosebery school, with Imperialist tendencies, but without the least touch of Jingoism. Rosebery, Sir Edward Grey, and Asquith follow tho same trend and are personal friends of Haldane. But Haldano has not, like Rosebery, broken with the radical and more doctrinaire wing of tho party— Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Mr Morley, Mr Bryce, etc., but has great influence on them also. In foreign affairs the English would rather listen to Roctobery than to Bryce. Tho doctrinaire radicals are suspected of being Little Englanders, but the Liberal Imperialists are not.” Later on in bis letter Metternich says that “ Haldano well knew the strained relationship between our Kaiser and the King,” and the Ambassador adds: “It will, of course, he necessary to attempt to reconcile the two Sovereigns. King Edward's offended mood may still very largely be connected with the treatment ho received when he was Prince of Wales. For tho work of conciliation between the two countries to succeed, it will bo necessary, since both these monarchs have so great a personal influence on policy, to induce them to forget their differences.” Those differences_ arose primarily from the Kaiser’s very nnfilial behaviour to his mother, the King’s sitor. A seemingly natural antagonism not seldom found among relatives was accentuated by tho nephew assuming airs of superiority on moral grounds. Philip Eulenberg, a close personal friend of the Kaiser, wrote to Bulow: “ I don’t think ‘ Uncle Bertie ’ will ever have forgotten his nephew’s moral indignation over Ids ‘ gambling uncle ’ ” —this having reference to the baccarat scandal at an English country house party. At tho end of 1907 tho Kaiser and Kaiscrin visited England, and Bulow writes: “ Though tho Emperor was by now forty-eight, King Edward was always rather inclined to adopt towards him the jesting tone of a dignified and experienced uncle towards Ids rather callow, scatter-brained nephew.” When King Edward visited

Berlin in 1909 with Queen Alexandra, he drew Bulow aside after a lunch at the Britsh Embassy and said: “ Shall you remain? I wish you’d remain, for the benfit of your country and for peace in Europe. How do you get on with tho Emperor? It does not seem very easy for his Ministers to get on with him.” Bulow made certain admissions, with the needful diplomatic reserve, but they are very mild compared with some of the strictures ho confides to his readers. This volume is liberally illustrated with photographic plates whoso subjectinterest equals their high technical standard. It is also well indexed. For connoisseurs of scandal it may be mentioned that it deals fairly fully with the Eulenberg trial. ‘ OLD COACHING DAYS ' Those who knew Otago and Southland in the days when Cobb and Co.’s coaches were in their glory will remember the interest in the community when one of them drove into a backblocks township. These coaches were the chief means of communication with the outside world. They brought the mails, they carried all the visitors (who came in for public inspection from the pathway in front of the hotel), and they brought news by word of mouth from the chief towns. In the goldfields townships particularly those were stirring days. The coaches conveyed the lucky miners with their gold to Dunedin, and returned them as a rule with empty pockets. The drivers of Cobb and Co.’s coaches were the autocrats of the road. Iron-nerved, resolute, and _ keeneyed, they drove their four or six-horse teams over the perilous routes with an astonishing degree of safety, considering all the conditions pnd temptations. The miners were great spenders, and to refuse to drink with one was in many cases a serious offence. Tho driver who yielded to the hospitable persuasions of Ins passengers needed a cast-iron constitution in more ways than one. In ‘ Old Coaching Days,’ by E. M. LovellSmith (published by Lovell-Smith and Vonner, Limited, Christchurch), wo have a valuable historical narrative, for the author has been at great pains to collect an extensive array of facts relating to the rise of Cobb and Co. and tho activities of the coaches in Otago and Southland. To get at the beginning of the firm, one has to go back to tlie davs of the roaring ’fifties in Victoria, when four Americans commenced coaching as Cobb and Co. Tho firm sold out after two or three years, but the name stuck, and in various parts ot Australia and New Zealand Cobb and Co.’s coaches under different proprietors wore in active operation. On Friday, October 11, 1861. Cobb and Co.» first coach left tho Provincial Hotel, Dunedin, for the Police Commissioner s Camp at Gabriel’s Gully, and was driven by Charles Cole (an Ameiican), who was tho proprietor. Soon the coaches were running north and south and on tho various goldfields’ routes, [and their varied operations are described in this book, along with tho names of drivers whose names at tho time were familiar to everyone along tho lines of route. Included among them were Ned Devine (Cabbage-tree Ned, the Prince of Whips), Harry Nettlefold, Hugh Craig, T. Pope G. 1. Sayers, J. M'Tntosh, W. Goddard, J. A. Duncan, J. M. Sutherland, and others equally well known. Value is added to tho book by a largo number of excellent photographs of tho drivers and the coaches on tho reads or in front of some well-known hostelry—a point of arrival and departure. These i drivers of the old days deserve to bo 1 remembered, for they showed indomitable courage and resource m the face i of many hardships and difficulties. REMARKABLE CHARACTER STUDY ! ‘No Ono Man,’ by Rupert Hughes I Jarrold’s Ltd.).—‘No One Man’ may well be regarded as ono of tho best books that Rupert Hughes has yet written. It is an audacious story, powerfully written, and the characters are most realistically delineated. The author attacks his subject directly and boldly from the start. The story is cleverly written and “ the more daring passages ” are skilfully handled. Nop. Newbold, tho principal figure in this story, is ono whom tho reader can admire and criticise simultaneously. She is an ultra-modern daughter of the American rich, with most original ideas on tho subject of marriage. But she has the courage of her convictions, and is determined to find happiness with tho man she loves. So much so, indeed, that she is prepared to face the verdict of public opinion by undergoing a. “ trial marriage ” with a sweetheart of her childhood days before going through any legal ceremony with him. Another similar experience ends in tho divorce court, and tho seeker of happiness eventually finds it in the vital person of Bill Hannaway, only to have it tempered much by her knowledge of tho fact that her husband to bq lias had his death warrant almost signed by a leading medical man. It is here that Nep. is revealed at her best. The author does not seek to show her prepared to marry Bill in tho light of selfsacrifice, but simply because she cannot imagine existence without the ono man whom sho always really loved. Tho climax is as powerful as it is unexpected, and one can almost be prepared to predict that readers will not put this book down until they have turned the last page. Our copy comes from tho publishers. R. AUSTIN FREEMAN ‘ Pontifex, Son, and Freeman,’ by R. Austin Freeman (Hodder and Stoughton) is a mystery story, but it is lifted far above the average by its literary quality. Tho talo is based on the death of a baronet. Leaving his country house, he went on a visit to London. Ho disappeared from his club, and three weeks later bis body was found hanging in an empty bouso in a lonely spot. Apparently a case of suicide, but Dr Tliorudyko (of tho Sherlock Holmes type), who was called in. was not satisfied. Willi his friend Jervis (another Dr Watson) lie set out to test the position, and discovered a network of intrigue and crime, in which foreigners living in the London underworld play a conspicuous part. There are a here and heroine in tho hook, too, who have a distinct interest in the title and estates of tho dead baronet. ‘Pontifex, Son, and Thorndyke,’ is ft lirst-rai'o tale.

A SOPHISTICATED PLAY-NOVEL Tiio figure of a satyr on tlio cover jacket of ‘ Misogyny Over the _ Weekend/ published by Macmillans, is very appropriate. This is a novel of decadence, savouring of pagan days. James M'Nair Scott has assembled his material in a new form; in passages he produces his theme as a playwright. While the dialogues are daring, suggestive, and outspoken, there is nothing at all offensive in any part. The author has recourse frequently in putting into the mouths of his characters profound remarks from other - xesthetic souls; and he is to be commended for his literary decency in making suitable acknowledgments. A party assembles at a country house, Clarence Court, for the week-end. The host, Mr Rackham, is a man of the most liberal ideas, who lets his guests do as they like provided they assemble at dinner. And a strange"company they are. Ceciley, the daughter of the host, a wanton young woman who is carrying on a secret intrigue with her cousin Rodney, the misogynist of the party; Dr Drumgle, a gourmet of the finest, a connoiseur of wine and viands; Miss Jornson, a middle-aged ferocious feminist, who would like to establish the apiarist system among humans, retaining only a few selected males; Mr Giboon, a pessimist of the deepest dye; M. de la Ferre, aristocrat and wit; Andrea Carmel, a beautiful coquette;_ and Denis lloache, handsome_ as Adonis and comparatively unsophisticated. That is the dramatis personae, and Mr Scott develops his nine characters to provide some equivocal situations. ‘ Misogyny Over the Week-end ’ is unusual, both in stylo and treatment, as a satirical comedy. HIKING ACROSS A CONTINENT Of Barbara Starke’s hitch-hike across the United States, Alec Waugh, iii a refreshing introduction to her engrossing and bright autobiography ‘ Touch and Go,’ says: “ The account of her adventures is as remarkable for what is implied as for what is said. It presents a panorama of America that will be, I believe, astonishingly new to an English audience. She has seen more of the United States than most of the congressmen who legislate for their welfare, and she has seen a side that is inarticulate—that has not been written up. The America she presents is one across which a young girl can set out on a journey of many thousand miles confident that if sho faces the world with courage, friendliness, and honesty of purpose the world will help her. Such a journey would be only possible in a country bred on a tradition of independence. In no other country would a girl be given so much disinterested assistance. In no other country would a girl bo so capable of looking .after herself.” Miss Starke’s adventure was as varied as it was long. While the tale is, in parts, extremely frank, its frankness does not ho in any outspokenness of language. In phrase it is, on the contrary, exceedingly restrained; with that opinion of Mr Waugh all who road 1 Touch and Go ’ will agree. It is a most absorbing narrative of travel and experiences, frequently very amusing and pleasing with its youthful freshness. On tho American highways with Miss Starke as the guide one seems to find an endless stream of lorries and cars all travelling distances which would be fearfully long for New Zealanders. And this young lady proves that the day of chivalry is not over, that men are still courteous to defenceless women tramping the roads and sleeping in fields, and that the United States are wonderfully homogenuous. Jonathan Capo published ‘ Touch and Go,’ which will afford the traveller or the fireside reader several hours of entertainment. MACLEM OF • THE BULLETIN ’ Few periodicals are better known throughout Australia and New Zealand than the ‘ Bulletin,’ and much of its success is undoubtedly duo to tho skilful direction of its former managing director, tho late Mr William Macleod. Mr Macleod died at his residence, “ Dunvegan,” Mosman, Sydney, in June, 1929, and his wife has recently published tho story of her husband’s life and his connection with the ‘ Bulletin.’ Mr Macleod was not a writer; his specialty was art, and it was in this field and also in tho management that he did so much for tho paper. Born in London in 1850 in humble circumstances, he arrived in Australia at an early ago with his parents. His father died within a year, and his mother married an artist, who, although he treated his stepson abominably, encouraged his artistic leanings and helped him in many ways. The book tells of his gradual rise to notice in tho world of art, and how ho eventually came to accept a position on and afterwards part ownership of tho ‘ Bulletin.’ Oil painting, sketching, and sculpture all engaged the attention of this remarkable man, and the book deals intimately witli his hobbies and his friendships. It forms an excellent historical sketch of this well-known paper. Angas and Robertson, Sydney, are tho publishers. AN INTRIGUING VOLUME ‘ Harem Life,’ by Princess Djavidan Hanum (Noel Douglas).—The author of a unique volume, Djavidan Hanum, was an Hungarian countess who married the Khedive of Egypt—Abbas Hilmi 11. —became a Mohammedan, and entered a. new world ready to make new religious ties without having first to cast off or deny tho old ones. A preface to tho book tells us that tho princess was resolved fully to comprehend tho beginnings of the Moslem faith, and became immersed in serious research upon tho sources that throw light on its origin. Her first Mohammedan name was Zuboida, later she changed it for tho name Djavidan. In her book she sets forth her experiences as second wife of Abbas Hilmi 11., and most strikingly depicts tho reactions of a refined and intelligent woman to tho degradation and deadly monotony of tho harem. Writing of her husband, with wh6m she fled to Constantinople at tho beginning of the war, sho presents an intimate picture of tho Oriental ruler, and throws an interesting light upon the attitude of the Mohammedan towards women, and tho gradual development of women’s rights in the Near East. ’ Most compelling is tho chapter on ‘ Creators of tho Harem,’ and one can read between the lines in the sketch entitled ‘lf I Had Been a Pasha.’ Among other interesting points touched upon are the gradual deterioration of tho Mohammedan faith and the crossing of the Bosphorus by tho victorious Kemal during the Turkish revolution. A chapter that also bolds much interest deals with modern Stambonl. The author’s outlook on life can bo glimpsed between the lines of a striking book, and if one does Pot agree with all the opinions she expresses, at least one will find it imupossiblo to pass them by lightly. This is a work that will bo road by many. Our copy comos from tho publisher!.

A CHARMING STORY Sinister-sounding though it may he, ‘Out All Night,’ the latest story by J. E. Buckrose, is a charming novel of life in a semi-rural English setting. Tho story has its setting in Wensthorpe, a prosperous market town, and it revolves around the romance of Felicity Thompson and Mark Thorpe. The author cleverly contrasts the viewpoint of the lover of to-day with that of yesterday in relation to the social proprieties. Felicity’s mother had, through sheer accident, been ‘ ‘ out all night” in a boat with “young Mr Thompson,” whose chivalry was such as made it impossible for him to offer anything else but marriage to avoid compromising the girl. Years later Felicity and Mark were beset by similar circumstances, but as showing how times had changed tho young man did not even think it necessary to wait to tender his apologies for keeping the daughter of the house “ out all night.” Mark and Felicity were truly in love with each other, but the path of true love did not always run smooth, and the general complications that occurred before the pair were brought together makes a charming and most readable story. The characters are well drawn, and the story is brightly and directly told. Our copy comes from the publishers (Messrs Hodder and Stoughton). A FAMILY STORY ‘ Monk Maltravers, V.C.,’ is by E. Everett Green, who has written some tales of this type that have been widely read. It is a book that is admirably adapted for the family circle, for it is free from anything that would give offence to the most sensitive; The word wholesome describes it, and it is written in a way that reveals literary craftsmanship. Miss Frances Goldheron tel's the story of tho Goldheron _ family; of how Auriole, tho only child of the third brother Goldheron, who made a fortune in America, comes, when orphaned, to live among her kinsfolk. Sho does not like her first venture, and comes to her Uncle Giles for shelter. He is the head of the family, but a recluse and a semi-invalid. Then Monk Maltravers, a neighbour, comes on the scene, and he and Auricle are mutually attracted. Complications ensue, and then the war intervenes, but Monk comes back a V.C., and all ends well. Our copy of this book is from Stanley Paul and Co., London. • THE BLACK SATCHEL * Readers of light fiction should find something more than usually entertaining in ‘ The Black Satchel,’ a real thriller, written by Harry Stephen Keeler, and published by Messrs Ward, Lock, and Co. The reader of this book will not wish to put it aside, so exciting are tho situations and so tense the atmosphere of mystery. A young American is indicted for the murder of his aimt, and the case against him is extremely black until , tho police obtain the services of an old criminologist scientist, whose clover and original methods of inquiry enable him to expose the story of a French lunatic and his lethal weapon. The murdered lady is at first supposed to have been killed by a death-dealing ray, but tho old investigator ultimately proves that she was killed by poison. There is a delightful romance to give a background to the story. NOTES In view of tho centenary of Goethe’s death, which falls on March 22 next, Mr H. W. Nevinson has written a study entitled ‘Gostlxe: Man and Poet.’ Tho Rev. John Lamond has written ■‘Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,’ described as a memoir, which Mr Murray will publish soon. Lady Conan Doyle has written an epilogue giving details of her husband’s home life. Miss M. J. Farrell, who has written a novel called ‘Mad Pnppotstown,’ is a daughter of Moira O’Neil, author of ‘Songs of tho Glens of Antrim.’ Most of her books deal with Irish country life and the hunting field. Sailors prefer Conrad’s novels, according to the president of the American Merchant Marino Library Association, which last year circulated more than 331,000 volumes among 1,782 ships and lighthouses. Non-fiction books, including history, travel, and poetry wore also popular. _ In Messrs Cassell’s list of new fiction two books by the late Arnold Bennett are mentioned. 1 One will be, in an edition de luxe, a romantic hithei’to unpublished story, 1 Venus Rising from tho Sea,’ the other a volume of short stories, ‘ The Night Visitor and Other Stories.’ .Messrs Cassell will also publish a Bennett Omnibus Book containing ‘ Riceyman Steps,’ ‘ Elsie and the Child,’ ‘ Lord Raingo,’ and ‘ Accident.’ A book by Mr E. M. Lovell-Smith, entitled ‘ Old Coaching Days,’ is reviewed on this page. Writing to the Christchurch ‘ Press,’ Mr Lovell-Smith gives particulars of the record of Mr Archibald Hall, a popular figure in the old coaching days of Australia and New Zealand, who died recently. Mr Hall entered the employ of James Bevan and Company, who ran a line of coaches from Melbourne to Beechwortlx in 1861, axid was one of the few men alive who remembered the late Freeman Cobb (founder of Cobb and Company) in person. After driving tho coaches for some years in Victoria, be came over to New Zealand to take the place of W. H. Shepard, who, in partnership with Andrew Young, ran the coach service between Wellington, and New Plymouth. Shepard died as the result of an accident in 1872, and Hall succeeded him. It was not until 1887 that Hall caino to tho South Island, and ran coaches from Nelson to tho West Coast. It is 'interesting to note that ho drove King George’s uncle, the late Duko of Edinburgh, in Australia, in 18C8, and the present Pi-ince of Wales over Arthur’s Pass, Now Zea--land, in 1920, a span of fifty-two years between the two events. He was then seventy-eight-years of age.