Review.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8070, 22 August 1905, Page 6

Review.

The Flute of Pan; by John Oliver Hobbes ((xcorge Bell and Sons, London)

Mrs Craigie's brilliant romance here makes its appearance in a Colonial edition. "Mainly a love tale," according to the introduction, but though the plot is slight and the incidents not very novel, the author's skill in the art of fiction has produced a delightful result. The book's success is due partly to the character-studies it contains, partly to the keen observation and witty description of social life which we are accustomed to expect from John Oliver Hobbes._ The scene is laid in that vague Ruritanian country where the Princess of Zenda and other charming heroines have had their origin. Mrs Craigie calls it Siguria, and succeeds in giving quite an air of reality to the story by hinting that its main incidents are taken from life in a Continental court. The " Flute of Pan " is the name of a picture painted by Lord Feldershey, the unconventional hero, who has fled from courts to lead the simple life in " a vast, bleak, studio." " Pan," he explains to a visitor who admires the picture, " was a heathen god who could guide lost travellers and calm all storms by the magic of his flute. I am showing him leading some pilgrims who have lost their way. They hear him piping and are encouraged. It is a parable of modern,life. We torment ourselves with boredom and scruples, whereas all wo need is more music, more joy ! We must listen to the Flute of Pan. It is always playing, but we drown it with our wretched babble of philosophies, the noise of machinery, the turmoil of money-making." The experienced novel-reader will not be surprised to find that the artist, who "lives on ten shillings a week, including gas," wins the hand of the Princess of Siguria ; and that on the last page the lovers appear, listening to the piping of Pan, which is provided by the somewhat theatrical device of a musical clock inserted in a statue. The interest of the book lies in the removal of the many complicated misunderstandings which act as obstacles to the union. The political career of the Princess is ruthlessly sacrificed to her emotions ; for Mrs Craigie believes that, even in the 20th century Byron's lines still apply : Man's love is of man's life a thing apart; 'Tis woman's whole existence.

At least, she is sure it may be so in Siguria ; and she bas made ber romance sufficiently convincing.