BOOKS AND BOOKMEN

Evening Star, Issue 22228, 4 January 1936, Page 17

BOOKS AND BOOKMEN

VERSES THOUGHTS AT SUKDOWN “ At even, when the day is done, My heart goes westward with the sun. And Memory in his dying glow Reflects sweet dreams of long ago. “ Like fragments of a film once seen, Reflashed haphazard on the screen, Past actions rise of good and ill _ To prove my Past is with me still. “ And somehow, showing from the past, The little wrongs their shadows cast; And every tiny act aright Shines like a little guiding light. “ So in the evening of my days Shall Memory her picture raise; My Sun shall set in light or shade, To shadows I. myself have made.” —Harry G. Bone, in ‘ Chambers’s Journal.’ CAMfUS The creeping ivy clings against gray towers, The trees are old and wise and very tall, Their shadows lie, like lace, on every wall. A mellow clock chimes out the drifting hours, As if to say: “Time slips, while learning flowers— So many feet have echoed through each hall, So many years have gone beyond recall, So many sun-swept days, so many • showers.” Perhaps these gray stones, robed in ivy, feel That students strolling past are but a dream. , Perhaps the boys and girls with ' youth agleam Are phantom-like and just a bit unreal To the tall trees that, standing calmly by, Draw strength and knowledge from the far-flung sky! —Margaret E. Sangster, New York. "T'AINT" ’Tain’t what we havej But what we give; * ’Tain’t where we are, But how we live; ’Tain’t what we do, . _Bui how we do itr—> - ■ That makes this life Worth goin’ through it. —‘The Log.’ (IJ.S. Naval Academy). A SCHOOLGIRL’S TASTES 'Fifty-two books by modern authors, and six English classics, were read in a year by .a, schoolgirl of average type, aged Id years, whose tastes are described in .the ‘Bookseller,’ by Mr T. F, W. Hickey . Some: of the volumes were from a circulating library to which the girl had. a'subscription, and others from a school library. Of modern authors read by Matilda, Mr _ Hickey writes, “ Sapper ” heads the list,' an easy winner. There are 11 of his works on the list. , Most of the titles have the single word “ tophole ” written after them. P. G. Wodehouse comes second with seven, after one of which is written the pithy comment “ a scream.” Conan Doyle comes next, four, then Denis Mackail. two. Matilda has also read one lan Hay, LGood-hye, Mr Chips’ (“queer is the not very flattering comment on this work); one J. S. Fletcher; ‘ National Velvet,! by Enid Bagnold; Benson’s ‘ Luck of the Vails ’; ‘ Foreigners,’ by L.'Walmsley; ‘The Fabulous Valley,’ by.D. Wheatley; and ‘Danger After Dark,’ by S. Maddock. This is one of the two books in the list which has the word “ super ” written after it. High praise. Of so-called “ animal stories ” there are six on Matilda’s list, all about horses'except ‘ Tarka the Otter.’ Excluding these, she has only read eight books written specially for children—four of Arthur Ransome’s, three ‘ Dr Doljttle,’ and ‘ Young Fu.’ Of ? girls’ ”, books there are three, all by the ; same author—Bessie Marchant. There is also an omnibus book called ' My Funniest Story ’—unenthusiastically received, it seems, for “some not had ” is scrawled after the name. The next four books on the list are, if not.already classics, surely on the way.'to-be, Mr Hickey continues. They are , ‘ Dead Man’s Rodk,’ by “Q”; 4 The Riddle of the Sands,’ by Erskine Childers; ‘The Real Charlotte,’ by Somerville and‘Ross; and Crosbie Garstin’s ‘ Penhales.’ The ‘Penhales ’ seems strong meat for 14, but was evidently appreciated. It shares with Mr Maddock’s book the mysterious adjective “.super.” Now we come to the meagre list of classics. ! There is no Scott and no Dickens. Oh, Matilda; There are only four of them altogether. ‘ Vanity Fair ’ heads the list, aVid is followed by ‘ Jbhn Halifax, Gentleman’; ‘ Framley Parsonage,’ of which, I regret to say, Matilda apparently thought little; and‘The Moonstone.’ What conclusions can we draw from Matilda’s reading? As far as it is possible to generalise from particular taste it seems clear that girls, as well as boys, demand thrills and adventure. Almost half the books on Matilda’s list come under this heading. It' appears that 14-year-olds prefer the books meant for grown-ups rather than the literature specially written for children; that the “girls’ school” story is not in universal demand ; and. cheering news for authors, that the young are clamouring for their work and, m one case at least, getting it.

A LITERARY CORNER

NEW BOOKS A CHILD'S POEMS Child poets may either perfect their talent or they may lose it. Nobody can say beforehand which will happen. “ Pet Marjorie,” the friend of Sir Walter Scott, amazed and delighted all who knew her by the variety of her talents, and died at the age of 11. An American writer. Hilda Conkling, talked poems at tne age of four, when she was too young to write them down, and published (or had published for her) nor second volume, marked by a fine faculty of imaginative description, as well as other qualities, at the age of 12. That was 13 years ago, and if other volumes have been published by her since they have not set the Mississippi on fire. Inevitably the verses of such prodigies are more remarkable for their precocity than as poetry. That is true even of ‘ The Perfume Vendor,’ published by a New Zealand child, Miss Gloria Rawlinson, of Auckland, at the age of 15, but her pipings are astonishing nevertheless. In addition to a natural feeling for rhythm and music and a great deal of pleasant fancy, they show a maturity of thought extraordinary in one so young. Her talent is, we understand, hereditary, and no doubt it has been fostered by the circumstances of her life, at once dramatic and unfortunate enough to be called tragic if Gloria had not triumphed over them as she has done. She was born in the Friendly Islands, where all things grow quickly. Coming to New Zealand at the age of six, she was seized a year later by a serious illness, which has left her something very like an invalid ever since. But she" is an invalid, apparently, who has every chance of living a normal life except in so far as physical activity is concerned, and the development of her mental gifts will be watched with no little interest. Most of the verses now published (in a second volume from her pen) are, as might be expected, after the fashion of small Nature studies and fairy stories, but Gloria has been growing‘beyond that. She has a philosophy of her own. made up of courage and cheerfulness, and some'of her poems, like ‘ The Bead-seller ’ (which might be modelled upon Christina Rossetti’s ‘ Goblin Market,’ but differs entirely in its mood and in the humour that pervades'it). have a sustained energy and a maturity which make them more surprising. No ordinary child could imagine 'her ; bead-seller, addressing the lady he hopes to tempt with his wares: Even now I see you standing, cold with pride, And the ungiven kisses ,of a bride upon those sweet red lips. Despite the limitations of child poetry which we have indicated the two poems of Gloria Rawlinson quoted in this column will suggest that only a bold or blind maker of the next New Zealand verse anthology, chosen upon no other grounds than the merits of its contributors, will be able to leave her out of it. Hutchinson and Co., London, publishers. Our copy from Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN Few people realise or knew that Australia had its own squadron of pilots and machines in the Great War. This was the 67th Squadron (Australian) R.F.C., and was stationed in Palestine, where it did its hit in the true Australian way. One of the pilots in this squadron, L. W. Sutherland, M.C., D.C.M., in collaboration with Norman Ellison, has written a book on its organisation, its personnel,' its methods of lighting, and the scraps the various pilots had with the enemy. The authoi lias entitled his book ‘ Aces and Kings,’ and the publishers are Messrs Angus and Robertson Limited. Sydney. It is an exceptionally interesting book on this phase of the war and there are many humorous anecdotes of the pilots off duty and on leave. We meet that great Australian airman, Ross Smith, and are given an entirely new picture of Lawrence of Arabia and the use he made of R.A.F. planes in his work. In one chapter the author graphically describes the slaughter of two Turkish army corps, which were trapped in a valley, by bombing planes of the Air Force. 1 Aces and Kings ’ is a welcome addition to books on Australia’s part in the Great War. EXCITING DETECTIVE STORY ■ * The Vesper Service Murders,’ by Van Wyck Mason (Eldon Press Limited), has all the ingredients in it that go towards the making of a first-class detective story. Captain Hugh North, of the United States Army Intelligence Service, is a unique detective. He brings something new to bear in the detection of crime, and his immense knowledge of criminology is used in the pursuit of the guilty. This is one of the best detective stories, to appear this year. Its action is laid in Deptford t a New England city, which has been in. directly ruled by gangsters for a long time. Judge Mackaye has set about the task of ridding the town of the undesirable element, and a group of men gathered at his palatial residence to discuss the pros and cons of the situation. Among them was Captain Hugh North who was to take control. Before very long, two . of the men were to lie dead on the broad lawns of Deptford Manor, and the judge himself was on the point of death. Captain North was faced with one of the most difficult tasks of his career—solving murders whoso roots lay in an unusual tangle, a tangle u> which politics played their parts. This is a memorable detective story, in which the reader is kept in suspense until the last page is reached. Our copy of this book comes from Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. ' i

MR HUGHES OH DEFENCE An urgent appeal to place the defences of Australia on a sound footing is made in ‘ Australia and War Today,’ written by Mr W. M. Hughes, P.C., K.C., M.P., which was recently published by Angus and Robertson Ltd. Mr Hughes is well-known as the Australian war-time Minister of Defence, and he hits straight from the shoulder —so straight, in fact, that the publication of the book cost him his portfolio in the present Cabinet. ■ Many aspects of the causes of war are discussed by the writer, who claims that the main causes are the race for markets and human nature. He contends that man has ever been a fighting animal, and that nothing of importance has ever been achieved without fighting for it. “ There is, _ and always has been, a conflict of interests between nations, as between individuals in society.” Again, “at any one moment the position in which the nations find themselves is the result of conflict.” The writer then goes on to criticise the League of Nations, which lie claims ' is valueless without force with which to back up its findings. In short, the rule of law rests on force. Reviewing the operations of the League during the 13 years of its existence, Mr Hughes says that it has a record of good work well done, but has only “ pointed the way to peace.” While appreciating the British Empire’s lead to the world in way of disarmament, the book points out that “ membership of the League, so far from prohibiting preparations _ for _ defence against aggression, carries with it an obligation to maintain the forces needed for defence purposes and for giving effect to the decisions of the League.” Mr Hughes then goes on to examine the Protocol of the League of Nations, and later declares that world peace can be obtained only through the moral regeneration of mankind. Recent events in Europe and the East are quoted by the writer in support of his claims, and special reference is made to the rearming of Germany, the Italo-Abyssinian trouble, and the Sino-Japanese conflict. These developments, he claims, are the result of the League having no power with which to enforce its decisions. The effect of this state of affairs is that “ the League of Nations, established to ensure the territorial integrity of all nations —especially of weak ones—has not only failed to protect them; but has created conditions that encourage aggression.” Mr Hughes then turns the searchlight on Empire defence, and paints an alarming picture of the inadequacy of the British Army, Navy, and Air Force to repel an invader, either in the Homeland or in any of the farflung colonies or dominions, or even to defend the trade routes of the Empire. War with Britain, he. claims, means was with the British Empire. _ There can be no question of one dominion not sending assistance in time of need, as “ if there is no obligation of a dominion to go to the assistance of Bn.tain, there is no need for Britain to go to the assistance of a dominion.” The condition of the Australian defences on land, sea, and air are examined in detail and severely condemned as insufficient to protect the country from any invader until the assistance of the British forces could be obtained. “ The young men of Australia are no longer being trained. The years have taken their toll of the Ail.F.; death has thinned the ranks; its members have ceased to be front-line troops. The land forces under the _ militia scheme, hopelessly inadequate in numbers, are untrained and undisciplined. The Australian' Navy -has been reduced in ships and personnel. In a word, the defence policy is hopelessly _ inadequate to the circumstances in which we find ourselves to-day.” The solution to the problem, in the writer’s mind, is the creation of an effective air force in addition to increased army and navy. ‘ Australia and War To-day ’ does not make pleasant reading, yet the reader cannot gainsay the writer’s statements, many of which are supported by quotations from statesmen of different nationalities and from official documents. The book is particularly interesting to New Zealanders, on account of the similarity of their geographic position and of their defence forces. INGENIOUS PLOT An ingenious plot makes up a lot for a rather insipid story in ‘ Boston Belle Meets Murder,’ by J. C. Lenehan, published by Herbert Jenkins Limited. It is certainly a baffling mystery story, but inclined to be too complicated, and the characters are not impressive. Hector Warren, a famous financier, is lying-in-state on a catafalque draped in black. Several sightseers are scattered about the building, when suddenly they hear a piercing scream. Rushing to the catalfalque, they see a crimson patch on the breast of the supposed corpse. The financier had been stabbed to death. Boston Belle, a fascinating lady detective, plays an important part in the solution of the mystery. ‘ART IN AUSTRALIA' The latest number of ‘ Art in Australia ’ gives good value for its price. An interesting article, generously illustrated, deals with the late Leslie Board, ,ollector-of pictures, recently on exhibition in Sydney. Hans Heysen writes on recent pictures purchased for South Australia’s national art gallery, several of which are reproduced, in colour and black and white. Mr William Moore’s notes ‘ At Home and Abroad,’ are unusually comprehensive. Reproductions of four etchings by E. Warner from a series of ‘ Australia at Work ’ will arouse much admiration. Craftwork of different kinds is described (with illustrations, coloured and otherwise) and the photographic section is the strongest yet given. A beginning is made with a new architectural section, which it is promised will include, regularly, examples of city buildings, domestic architecture, interior decoration, and garden planning. Published by John Fairfax and Sons Ltd., Sydney.

•THE KING TO HIS PEOPLE' Following on the success of their previous publications, Messrs Williams and Norgate have issued a second selection of speeches and messages delivered by His Majesty King George V., entitled ‘ The King to His People.’ Thenfirst book contained his speeches ns Prince of Wales from l'9ol-11, and this second volume begins from the time ol his accession to the throne. Altough neither the list of _ speeches nor the text of every one is absolutely complete. an excellent selection has been culled from His Majesty’s utterances. The book has been divided into eight sections, seven of which deal with some period of his reign, while the eighth presents his more personal utterances. His speeches are so presented that one may follow the course of national events through the 25 years of his reign The Coronation Durbar in India is followed by two and n-half years of peace down to August. 1914, when the storm broke over Europe. For the next four years—to November, 1918—life runs in but one channel, but after this comes years of peace-making and efforts to bring the national life back into the many channels of its normal course. Then at the end of these 15 years comes the Silver Jubilee, with the King’s acknowledgments of that loyal thanksgiving which was the reward of 25 years of Royal service, » LITTLE COLONEL " STORIES Perhaps the most engaging of the younger personalities on the screen today is little Shirley Temple, who in the last couple of years.has become one of the biggest box-office attractions known to theatres. It is, therefore, quite timely that Annie Fellows Johnston should choose the little girl as the central character in the first story she tells in her latest novel, ‘ The Little Colonel Stories.’ Shirley is already known as * The Little Colonel, 5 because it w r as in the picture of that name she took the title part and scored one of her biggest successes to date. The author of these stories has chosen the theme of that film on which to build the opening tale of her book, and from this she turns her readers into the land where fairies dwell, but although the remaining stories are purely makebelieve they hold an equal charm for adult and child readers. Our copy is from the publishers, Messrs Angus and Robertson. '.ODD JOHN' A very vivid account of a “ superman ” is penned in a new sensational novel from Methuen and Co. Ltd. named ‘ Odd John.’ Olaf Stapledon has given a full-length study of this individual, who was born in this present era. The chapters where John is seeking for his own kind—Homines Superiors—is effectively written. His search leads him to lunatic asylums, the underworld of Paris. China, and Egypt. With the fruits of his collection he forms a colony. • Each occupant followed his own mode of living, but they were disturbed ‘by human _ beings who disagreed with their activities on the island, with the result that John and the occupants sacrificed their lives in a supreme attempt at defence by blowing up the island. 1 MOTES Dr Axel Munthe is devoting 100,000 kroner (£5,250) of the proceeds of his book, ‘ The Story of San Michele,’ to charitable purposes. He jnade a similar gift in 1932, Among the words for which AngloSaxon had the greatest number of synonyms, says ‘ Notes and Queries,’ London,awere glory and glorious, pride, sword, and traverse; but all- were eclipsed by warrior, for which there are recorded 27 synonyms and nine poetical' words. ‘ • Adjectives applied to the _ * Midsummer Night’s Dream ’ film in English notices were :—Dazzling, magnificent, overwhelming, brilliant, exquisite, superb, fascinating, lavish, marvellous, memorable, colossal, and splendid. “The original,” a commentator remarks whimsically, “ did not have, anything like such good Press notices.” Tolstoy’s following in Russia has kept steady pace with the phenomenal growth of the number of Soviet renders. Whereas in IsH7' only 26,000 copies of his works were published there, by 1933 this figure had mounted to more than half a million. One of the most curious of anthologies will be ‘ For and Against Doctors.’ in which Robert Hutchinson and G. M. Wauchope have collected samples of the praise and abuse received by their own profession from the time of the ancient Greek to that of Bernard Shaw. The French author of the Pasquier novels, Georges Duhamel, is one of the doctors of medicine who have become novelists. Among others are Somerset Maugham, A. J. Cronin, and Warwick Deeping. Volumes of the Pasquier series have been translated into English by Miss Beatrice de Holthoir. M. Duhamel is now editor of a leading literary journal, the ‘ Mercure de France.’ Two of the “ best-selling ” authors whose works have been published by John Long Ltd. were Nat Gould and Edgar Wallace. Seventy of the Nat Gould books appeared in 20 years. The founder of the firm, Mr John Baptist Patrick Long, died recently, aged 71 years. He published books by Hilaire Belloc, ■ Maurice Hewlett, Max-jorie Bowen, and many other authors of note. Mr Aylmer Maude, the translator of many of Tolstoy’s works, denies in a letter to the ‘ Observer ’ a statement that daughters of Tolstoy are receiving pensions from the Soviet Government. Ho says that the daughter, Tatiana, escaped from Russia with her daughter, who had suffered severely from under-nourishment. Both arc now in Italy. The second daughter, Mary, died in 1906. The other daughter, Alexandra, is the author of ‘ I Served the Soviet ’ (which criticises that Government). Tolstoy’s eldest son is in Moscow, but Mr Maude doubts whether he receives a pension. Selections of books by censorship have been suggested frivolously at times, but now it appears to be contemplated seriously. The ‘ Bookseller ’ priirts periodically lists of books prohibited in the Irish Free State. It reports having received the folloxving let-; ter from a great London wholesaler ” One or two of our agents in India are very interested in the books prohibited in the f.F.fv . . . One of them asks os to pass on a suggestion to you—‘ Would it be possible to include the price when mentioning the title? ’ —as if it is too expensive, of course, he docs not wish to order.”