IN BOOKLAND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 March 1928, Page 7

IN BOOKLAND

Mr. H. M. Tomlinson, who has been visiting America, plans to follow up the success of “Gallion’s lfeach” with a new story to be published in the autumn.

An Irish boy and girl are the chief characters in a hitherto unpublished story, “French Leave,” by E. 0. E. Somerville and the late “Martin Boss,” which Heinemann is issuing.

“At the Feet of the Young Men” is a good title of a. book due shortly- from Duckworth. The author, “The Janitor.” deals with the prominent young politicians and others of both sexes wiio in ten years or so will be taking the place oi their elders who are in the saddle now.

Two military books appear in Constable’s January list. In “The Innhw killing Fusiliers in the World War” Sir Frank Fox not only l gives an account of what was done by the “Castle of IniskiKing with three turrets and St. George’s colours flying,” hut some idea of how the ' regiment came into the general scheme of Empire defence.

Some letters of an unusual sort have fallen into the hands of Cassell’s, who were publishing them appropriately on St- Valentine’s Day The reason is seen in the title “The Love Letters of a Husband.” It seems, says a writer in the Sunday Times, that two charming young society people drifted apart after the critical' fifth year of married life. These letters followed, and the secret of the author’s identity is likely to be the subject of much speculation.

The second book, which forms one of the series, “Campaigns and Their Lessons,” edited bv Major-General C. E. Call well is “The Palestine Campaign, bv Colonel A. P. Wavell, who was on Lord Allenby’s staff. The book contains many maps and battle diagrams It also' pays tribute to the “very fine fighting record” of the Anzac Mounted Division” which “had taken a gallant part in practically every engagement since the E.E.F. had set out from the Canal two' and a-half years previously”

Lady Cynthia Asquith is writing a look about the Duchess of "York. It should present a more intimate portrait Umn the majority of books about members of the Boy'al Family. This book will be published by Hutchinson, in which firm. Mr. Herbert Asquith, the author of “Young Orland.” is chief reader.

A theatre in a theatre is suggested by the news that Edna Ferber one of America's best novelists, is collaborating in a musical stage version of her novel, “Show Boat,” in which she gave such a vivid picture of a life of the pin vers in the great floating theatres — show boats—that still cruise up and down the Mississippi.

Bolf Bennett, whose name will be familiar to many magazine readers, and to schoolboys tor his stories ol adventure, was a sailor before he turned author. And his first novel, “Cranmer Paul,” to be published shortly, is about a sailor —a sailor who finds his soul. Squeamish people may iind it strong meat, but the author knows the life he describes, whether at sea or in the seamens’ haunts of Cardiff, where Cranmer Paul is discovered at the opening of the story.

Even under prohibition New York seems to have a pretty hectic Jife, to •iidge from Mr. Stephen Graham’s book on "his “New York Nights,” which is to be published by Benn. His survey ranged from Fifth Avenue to the haunts of the coloured people, from luxurious night clubs to “dives” and “speak easies” whence prohibition has not . been entirely successful in expelling John Barleycorn. The fashionable world, the half-world, and the underworld'will all he displayed in this book.

Upton Sinclair, who long ago showed up. in “The Jungle,” the mysteries of the tinned meat business, and more latelv tried to do the same thing for another American industry in his novel material for a novel —to be _ called “Boston” —based on the Sacco-\ anzetti case. Mr. Sinclair, always a rebel against convention and authority, may be relied on to take a new and very individual view of that case

Of the stories in “Pilgrim’s Scrip,” hv Sir John Boss, some time lxtrd Chancellor of Ireland, some are new, some are old, and nearly all tire good. It is recorded that a witness in an assault case was asked if tlie defendant’s attitude was threatening. “My lord,” said he. “such was the violence of his demeanour that a lady who was with me was obliged to advance and kick him twice in the stomach.” “I am not in the habit of being corrected from behind,” said an Irish barrister to his junior. “Not since you were a ho.v,” was the immediate retort.

Sir John Boss gives Lord Morris’s authority for a. story of a certain assize in the west of Ireland where the jurors were ordered to go to their “usual places” in court, and they till at once inarched into the dock-

Serg.-nnt A. M. Sullivan. K.C.. also writes a hook of legal reminiscence (there seems to be a keen demand for them), entitled “Old Ireland.” This i,s one of bis stories: — I remember a; bad break by an advocate before the old Vice-Chancellor, fledges Eyre Chaterton. Counsel was opening an action brought to set aside a settlement. “Tlie settler, my lord, has attained the great age of 78 years, and had therefore reached that time of life when not only are the physical faculties impaired, but, as we know, the mental faculties are clouded- by decay.” “I reached the age of 78 myself last week,” said the vice. Of Judge William Johnson Serjeant Sullivan writes:— .Johnson was a monument of kind ness and stupidity. He was universally known as Wooden-headed Billy due morning he came into the Divisional Court with his hand bandaged, “M,v dear Johnston,” exclaimed the Chief Baron, “what has happened to you? Nothing serious. I trust.” “Oh. no thank you.” replied the judge. “Very painful, but not serious. Merely a splinter under mv finger-nail.” “He’s been scratching his bead,” audibly observed .Tobnnv Mori arty.