BOOK NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 192, 15 July 1939, Page 15

BOOK NOTES

“CASTLES IN THE SOIL.” Among flm encomiums of praise or (lie pioneer slock of file Dominion, mill the 'volumes that have enshrined in story form their hardihood and resource! illness, little enough lias boon written in honour of the splendid counterpart- of Australia's ‘•‘Women of the West." If it were ever particularly opportune to take time liy the lorelock the occasion is at hand oil the eve of t'euteunial year, so that the appearance of "thistles ill the Soil" is doubly welcome both tor. its own inherent worth and for the appropriateness of its arrival. This splendid towel of New Zealand lit" traversing three genei at ions, including the period ot the l!rent War, is the skilled product ot the pen ot Beryl McCarthy, front the intuitiveucss ot which it derives much ot its charm. Keminisoout of "Promenade" in that. it principally tyim! most sympathetically) treats of the relations ot Maori and pakolia in cavalcade tashion. it deserves popularity tor its literary merit and historic worth. Opening at, Port Nicholson in the titties, it early conveys the reader to the Hawke's Hay settlement of "Cedorholm." destined to witness tin' hardship, hardihood and bravery of succeeding {fenerations with the interaction of sympathies and jealousies peculiar to the day. Hetweeu the time of the Han Hail massacre and the (treat War the soil claims the allegiance ot succeeding links in the family chain, links held largely through the indomitable courage of the womenfolk. Heryl McCarthy draws her picture with linn, studious lines; she flinches at naught in preserving a true perspective, and brings to the light of present, day a host of toolings and achievements out of which more than one "(Vderlinlm" has been moulded, it- is not only a thoroughly readable novel, but is as gripping for its historic value as for its fluent and unexaggerated style.— Our copy .’s from the publishers, Messrs A. U. and A. W’. Heed, "Wellington,

TIIE HOCSE OF TAVELIXCK. The French Revolution lias provided much material for novelists and historians. hut cpiitc the most readable in till' last decade comes from the pen of a Dutch author, Jo van ' Aninierskuller. translated from his native language by A.v.A. van Duyu and Edmund Gillign.ii. It is a fine, historical novel of that great period of unrest which afTecled the whole of Europe, and flic influence the turmoil had upon Laurens van Tavelinok, one of the most important figures in the Holland which saw the fall of the French monarchy, and his eldest son Dirk Egbert," wlm was intoxicated by the new spirit of Liberalism and reform which issued from revolutionary France, provides an abundance of colourful, romantic and exciting scenes related expressively by the author. _ This sensational period in Europe was felt gravely in Holland and its spirit, was absorbed to the full by Dirk who played a dramatic part in the rising against the House of Orange. There is suspense anil gripping incident almost in every chapter as history, skilfully treated and told, takes the reader along on the swelling wave of Dirk’s sensational rise to military loader of the voting Radical movement in Midland, the Patriots; and plunges him into the depths with the failure of the Patriots’ hid for untramellod freedom. Eventually, however. Dirk was successful and in the telling ol this part of the story there is rich romance. r I he repercussions of the French Revolution on the Low Countries make new and fascinating ground for historical fiction. The background of the wealthy Dutch cities of the eighteenth centurv. and the violent life of Paris under the Revolution, contain many literary descriptive gems. Sieges and the sack of cities, skirmishes and battles, political intrigue and the private emotional conflicts of Dirk and his family, of Age and the established order against Youth and the spirit of change, make a dramatic and unusual story.—Our eopv is Irani NfG. If. Tiennett and Co., Ltd., and the publishes arc Johnathan Cape, London.

THE ENGLISHMAN'S FOOD. Diet is flic subject of endless controversy to-day. Correct feeding of babies, diet as a preventive of disease, tbe preservation and purity of foods are questions of national and even international importance. Tbe changes in the diet of the English people from the Middle Ages to the Twentieth Century form a fascination and enlightening study, not only for the socialist and historian. but for all of us. Milk and vegetables, for instance, were at one time despised as foods for babies or for (lie poor, and fruit was regarded as definitely harmful. ’The diet of the well-to-do consisted mainly of large quantities of meat, so that scurvy and rickets were prevalent. These and many other interesting facts are related in •‘The Englishman's Food.” by J. C. Drummond. Professor of Bio-Chom-istry. Euiversify College. London, and Anne AY il bra ham. published b.v Jonathan Cape. In this -‘History of Five Centuries of English Diet.” every aspect of the subject is considered —the lyrics of food grown in different periods. the changes in methods of food distribution, medical views on diet old and new and the significance of inventions like the refrigerator. The authors have an expert knowledge of modern dietetics, and their application, of it to the study of the past adds

great interest to facts interesting enough in themselves. —Our copy is from G. H. Bennett and Coy. “WALL SHRUBS AND HARDY CLIMBERS.” If there is a peculiar virtue of the gardening enthusiast that is almost a fault it is liis readiness to admit himself an “amateur.” Learning largely by the trial-and-error method. and by the exchange of ideas with fellow gardeners, he generally lacks an authoritative guide on “what to do in eertnin respects. The appearance of “Wall Shrubs and Hardy Climbers.” a profusely illustrated and expertly written • handbook from the pen of AY. J. Bean, C.A’.O., I 5.0., A'.AMI., should be especially welcome in the Dominion, for it is the work of a foremost authority on tho subject. Every plant or shrub described in fascinating manner by Mr Bean bas either been grown by himself at the famous Kow Gardens, where he was formerly curator, or ho has supervised flic work. Many of the trees to which lie refers are natives of New Zealand. an additional recommendation to the pract'cal interest of a remarkably well-written volume. Cultivation, methods of support, pruning, types of elimbers and wall shrubs, and a descriptive list go to. make an intensely valuable book which should grcatlv ‘ assist horticulture in the country. —Our copy is from Messrs G. 11. Bennett and Cov.

“WHAT CAN AYE BELIEVE.”

Win'll Canon 11. I?- !'■ C‘l)ii'U ) Shpppnrrf. I'flovcd floric of SI. Mnr-tiii’s-iu-tlic-L'icl.ils, passed an ay Ins

death was deplored by many outside his own Church of England. .11 is was a choice-—if relentlessly fearless—intellect, and tlm spirit lie bore, and his impassioned advocacy of peace as opposed to war, brought him into the glare of publicity, both friendly and critical. Hut even those who were unable to accept bis theses all the way respected this splendid man—so like Studdart Kennedy and Now Zealand s own Kieldeii Tayior in his humanitarian outlook. Laurence Housnian throws fresh light on Canon Sheppard with the publication of “What Can A\ e Believe,” a hook that promises (or deserves) to lie one of the most provocative in recent years. It comprises an exchange of correspondence between tlm two over a period of years, ranging from till' peace question to that of tlm relationship between essential Christianity anil institutional religion. Few alterations have been made in the letters, which are disarmingly and incisively frank, and reveal something of the agonies and struggle through which the famous cleric passed in his light against asthma. It ought to prove a cardinal hook from the theological aspect; it breathes the clear, rarilicd air of brave spirits resolved to rationalise their faith, and to gain rather than detract from it_ in the process. Enhiassed readers will probably find that if goes n long way toward settling for themselves the question. "What, can we believe?”. —Our copy is from Messrs G. 11. Bennett and Co.'

"THE EIGHT AT RUAKITURT.” If historic circumstances arc to he placed on record a cardinal principle should certainly he their guarantee ol accuracy. else the perpetuation of an error adds only to the confusion. Briefly, this is the motive underlying the appearance of a slim but informative litt’e brochure unilej the familiar sign of Messrs A. 11. arid A. W. Hoed. “The Eight at Riiakituri.” Written by Mr Russell Duncan, an authority on historic matters in the Dominion, and sponsored liy the Hawke’s Bay Centennial Historical Committee, it places on record an accurate account of the fight at Riiakituri. where the defeat of a European force under Colonel "Whitmore, b.v encouraging To Kooti and his allies, paved the way for the Moha ka niaesnere. The search for and dramatic discovery of lost graves, thus fixing the locality of the engagement, is told in straightforward fashion, and is in irs way as thrilling a narrative in stark simplicity as could lie imagined. This little book undoubtedly serves its purpose admirably, and will be widely lead besides as an interesting sidelight on New Zealand’s troublous days. Our copy is from the publishers. “MY COILSIX JUSTIN.” A field rich in material for character study and historic background is explored to the full in “My Cousin Justin.” a new novel by Margaret Barrington, which promises to rank among the most popular works of its kind. Finding its setting in a village on the coast of Ireland, the story is laid in the days immediately preceding anil following the Great War, and no effort lias Let'll spared liv the writer to present a telling picture of those turbulent days. Tlm central figures are three young people, whose romance and subsequent relationships are inextricably bound up with the political events of the day. Justin Thornuld shares with Lou Delaine manv nil experience, especially in setting themselves against the young village element led by Egan b’Dolierty. The War intervenes, and “the troubles” follow, with the sequel that Lou eventually marries Egan, though not forgetful of Justin. In a Jurist sympathetic manner Miss Barrington draws on her fund of knowledge of Irish life to portray the sub.'oquent relationships of the three, the conflicting loyalties, and the faithfulness of Lou. Characters are finely drawn and village life carefully limned, tin' whole going to make a most fascinating novel breathing delightfully tin' Irish atmosphere.—Our copy is from* Messrs G. 11. Bennett and Co.

“THE GOOD GOBLIN.” Few young children, and older ones, too, there must he who do not own to the appeal of well-written verse. Generally speaking the youthful verdict is as accurate as it is unrelenting —the poetry is “good” or it simply fails to elicit a response. In . reading (with much satisfaction) “The Good Goblin, And Other Verses,” over the inline of Alice A. Kenny, one feels that here is a jolt splendidly done. Perhaps it would lie nearer the mark to judge that these delightful little fragments, fashioned in the imagery and rhythm which are irresistible to the youngster, came into being for a particular rocipent. Not one, but dozens, bound into a modest little volume, carry a message of sheer charm Tliev are very properly verses for the children's twilight hour, and many a fireside will he happier for their inclusion.—Our cony is from the publishers, Messrs A. It. and A. AY. Reed.