IN BOOKLAND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 November 1926, Page 7

IN BOOKLAND

Major Fitzroy Gardner ,in his new volume. "More Reminiscences, of an Uld Bohemian,” tells the history of the famous picture “The Doctor.” He writes: —

Apropos of the medical profession, there has probably never been a member of it whose fats 1 inis been so familiar to the general public as the original of the principal figure in Luke Filde’s famous painting "The Doctor.” After being one of the pictures of the year in the Royal Academy Exhibition about 30 years ago, it was reproduced in print, and has had a phenomenal sale. I have seen it in France, Germany and China 1 . A few years ago I found the picture adorning one of the walls of a farmhouse near the Polish frontier in Upper Silesia. Them is something appealingly human in the subject, and, still more, in the attitude and expression; of the doctor, who is anxiously studying the face of- the silk child oil the cottage bed, and looking for any -sign of hone, while the parents in the background are- awaiting his verdict. But probably not one in five thousand of those who have admired; the picture have been aware that the painter took a real doctor for his model. In the face and figure the artist has given not on'v a life-like portrait, but has depicted exactly the character of his medical adviser, a Dr. Knott, whom I knew’ well for several years when he had a large practice in the AVost End. Most unfortunately for his patients, and for many others who valued him as a doctor. and admired him as a man. he passed away at a little past middle age.

"Joseph Conrad as 1 Know Him" L by Jessie Conrad, widow of the novelist. from it that Conrad’s disposition wa* in part explicable by his- nationality. He was a Pole: His was not a happy nature (writes his wife), and lie often anticipated trouble long before it came. On the other hand, he had a curious way of shrinking from actualities when it came to facing suffering. When this characteristic was, first brought home to me, 1 was taken aback and not a little frightened. But after some months in Roland I. discovered that this temperamental peculiarity was characteristic of his nation. This- discovery made it easier to understand him without making any concern too apparent, and to sympathise with hi.s apprehensive anxiety. Our visit to Roland at the beginning of the war threw light hack upon mv early impressions of him.

San Quentin (California) prison is to have a c-’ass in novel and short story writing, conducted by -Sidney Hersohel Small, newspaper man and author of three novels, “The Lord ot Thundergate,” “Fourscore,” and “Both One. ’ Thero are 17 men in the prison who want to become writers. The New York Times suggests a plot to begin with: Poor voting man, with literary ambitions, steals loaf of bread to- keep from starving, is sent to prison, takes course in fiction writing, wins inilliondoll ar prize (they are growing bigger every day) for his first novel, is pardoned bv Governor, marries warden’s daughter, and they live Happily ever after. * * *

The death of Mr Swift- Mac Neill recall* the fact that Mr T. Fisher Tin win H‘2, vears ago published “Titled) Corruption : Thy Sordid Origin of Some Irish ? ’ bv Swift MsicXcill, wlio vias then a member of Parliament. Author and publisher often discussed the expansion of the book to include Engush and Scotch titles, aml Mr Swift- -MacNeill alwavs intended to expand the work in tliig way. There are many people triad that lie failed to find time to -do this. * * * Dickens, writes Mr T. P. O’Connor. M.P., in “T.P.’s and Cassell’s Weekly, was a thoroughly good shorthand- writer in his early days; in fact, long after he ha’a reached his fame and had written several books, he was still regarded as probably the best shorthand writer in the world. 'Hie adoption by Dickens of; the reporters’ ga'Jery was partly due to his inclination, hut also to the fact that his father and uncle were both shorthand writers before him. Dickens’s father .indeed, like himself, was on the reporting staff of the House of Commons.

Messrs Hodder and Stoughton are publishing two volumes, consisting of selection* from the writings of the ’ate Sir William Robertson Niooll, so long editor of the “British Weekly.” Thev will bear the happy titles. “People and Books’’ and “The Seen and Unseen, covering the famous journalist’s interests in literature and theology.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has just completed a new series of Sherlock Holmes stories. ’This is the first series for some time, Sir Arthur having only written- single tales at long intervals for many years. The first of the new istories is appearing in the October Strand Magazine.

There should he particular interest in a book of memoirs which Aleusrs Fie her Unwin announce. This is “Reminiscences of 'Translantic Travellers,” bv Mr Charles Spedding, who •was for many years purser in the Aquitania. Inevitably the author met many celebrities crossing the Atlantic, and had also vivid war experiences. He wa« in the Laconia when she was sink hv a German submarine.

“Povertv Lane.” by H. HesselL Tiltman, is a political novel which is likeiy to create some sensation. Tho author indulges in some trenchant criticism of both the Conservative anti Labour schools of thought, and also gives a vivid picture of life in the slums <>i East London. The author of this first novel is a well-known journalist in Fleet Street. * * *

Three new volumes of the thirteenth edition of the ‘'Encyclopaedia Britanniea” are about to be published. I hey eontain articles by at least 1100 authorities Lord Bidde’L a lawyer before he was a journalist, has contributed an article on* “Censorship in Great Britain.” Other contributors casually noted are Marshal Foch. who writes on “Morale in War/’ Mr Christopher Morlev author of “Thunder on the Left, whose subject is “O. Henry. Ml e. I ami glen, with an article on “Lawn Tennis.” Air Shan® Leslie, author of “The Cantab.” with articles on “Cardinal Bourne.” the “Papacy.” and the “Cnl’ece of Cardinals.” and last, hut not least. Trotsky, who contributes to tliis capitalistic enterprise a chapter on his old colleague, “Lenin.”