IN THE LIBRARY

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1926, Page 9

IN THE LIBRARY

DICKENS.

j "is Oii'kens Dead?" I remember i'.'.'iiii.-ij; ;:m article in a magazine which l>ui]Mj>rt:! to meet this query by gathering toother a collection of the oiMiiioiK of well-known medern English writ.u-. Tlie question however could not be said to have been satisfactorily answered from the enquirer's point of view when so much difference regarding Dickens' literary demise existed amongst those later novelists who sat in judgment upon their illustrious predecessor. Some of the critics deplored the fact that, great a novelist as Dickens might be, his fame, if not extinguished was at least diminished: others stoutly affirmed that he was as popular as ever and the substance of his novels contained all ithe essentials of immortality. All this goes to prove how unreliable such an enquiry is conducted on these lines. The enquirer'can only l read the arguments for and against and, after duly weighing them, form his own opinion. A much more satisfactory method, which should also be conclusive, is an examination of the extent, .of the sale of Dickens' works. Dickens may not figure amongst the glittering row of "best sellers." But the "bestseller" is merely a stage of every successful publication—a- brief hour of fame after which the book must abide subsequent criticism as to quality, real or otherwise. How many have bathed in the glory of the moment to pass into oblivion? But if it meets the test of literary taste it passes from the shop window to the shelves within.

Dickens, was a. best-seller in his day, not as we usually understand the word, but in a continuous wave of enthusiasm. As each monthly installment of his stories appeared. The first shilling number of the "Pickwick Papers" came out in 1836. "The success of 'Pickwick' was immediate," says Robert Swasey, in his sketch, of the novelist. "It marked with a flourish of success, like a fan-fare of trumpets at the opening of an overture, the future greatness of his work. A new and original light had appeared on the literary horizon, and soon every eye was focussed upon it. Everyone was talking about Pickwick and his friends; everyone laughing. Goods in the shop were labelled Pickwick this or that. The characters became real people to the public which eagerly watched their doings. There was no advertising, no pushing of the thing; but the humour and heartiness of the Papers attracted people of every rank in life. Pour hundred copies of the first instalment were sold. By the time } No. 15 had been reached the sale amounted to 40,000 copies. This enthusiasm for Dickens has not waned and so today we find countless editions of his works for sale and at, least sorn& book of his in almost every home. Take the "best-sellers." How many authors of these can hope to have one set of their volumes reproduced in so many styles as this one to please the eye for size of type, this to hold comfortably and sit before a cosy fire and this again to slip into the pocket to relieve the monotony of travelling? The most the many of the "latest novels out" can expect is a meteoric career through a dozen or so editions. But this is not life. On the other hand here is Dickens who has rreated a furore not for a year but for ninety years, and yet it is asked if he is Head.

Moreover, Dickens' life is in the life of his characters. His masterly delineation of those, people of his imagination whom he has introduced to us in his books is such that they have seemed to become living creatures whom we know intimately. Sairey Gamp, Barkis, Peggotty, the Cheeryble brothers. Sam Weller and a host of other characters lovable and otherwise, but all real, are so well-known that it is difficult to imagine that, while we continue to know them as familiar personages, their creator can be said to have passed away from the realm of literature.'

NOTES AND COMMENT. To the list of numerous books wliieli have been written about the interior nf Australia has been added "Across Unknown Australia." For all !he civilisation that fringes the eoasE and the immediately outlying country, there is still a glamour of romance about the vast, little-explored areas of the island continent, and this new book, which is written by Michael Terry, should be full of interest. • • • • "Little Dressmakers in Love" contains some capital stories by Yoi Marani. The.setting is Florence, and the characters are the seamstresses employed in a fashionable millinery establishment. Their industrious fingers make the wonderful garments which they, alas, never wear, although, these would become them very much, better than most of their patrons.' Some of the tales are grave, some gay, some tragic, some have a nappy ending, and insight, and we are sorry to take leave but they are told with remarkable sympathv of this laughing, chattering, emotional bevy.

(By the Bookman.)

We h.'T.ve her;: '■■ ng much lately of Lord Allenby v;. ' ■ unit of his recent visit to the D-.'. ; . ; j. A book of bis famous eump.'ii;. :] published, is "Allenby of ■'-, ■- ureddon," by Raymond Savage.

Another book i;y Hugh Walpole.— This is "Portrait vf a Man with Redhair." The effort of the story lies in the subtle fashion in-which the author communicates both to his characters and his reader.? the spirit and oppression of repulsion that his villain inspires. Haxkness is an American verging upon middle age, and lacking any guiding interest in life. At a lobsa end, he visits a little Cornish town, and there of a sudden is plunged into the adventures which are to make a different person of him. The- man •wifli red hair is a sinister figure, a malignant satanist, who emanates evil. In crossing swords with Mm, Harkness finds himself. The thing is very well done. No doubt Mr Wa'lpolo set out with the deliberate intention, like the Fat Boy, of making our flesh creep. He has been quite successful.

Ships, tfie sea, and men of the sea have always had an interest to Englishmen. A comprehensive survey of these three interesting maritime features is furnished in "Seamen of All Ages," written by the late Captain W. B. Whall and edited by Francis E. McMurtie. Captain- Whall had an unsurpassed knowledge of the sea, and his book reflects the depth, of his understanding, while at the same time . it provides enjoyable reading. From the early days of navigation to tha late achievements of Scott and Shackleton the story is unfolded. We read of the early Portuguese navigators, of Queen Elizabeth's sailors, of Dampier's voyages. In these" pages, too, are the records of privateers, smugglers, slavers, pirates and buccaneers. The development of the sailing ship is given, and the development of the stamship in detail. We have a chapter on sea flags', and another on aids to navigation. Sea songs and sea phrases are discussed, as are sea customs and tlie legends and mysteries of ships. But perhaps the most wonderful chapter of all, and the least realised by the public at large, is that entitled "The- Seaman." In this we have a seaman writing after Trafalgar in words that ■seem to give quite unintentionally the full spirit of England at her best: "Our dear Admiral Nelsjjn ia killed, 5»..,,;-. wo have paid pretty sharply for licking 'em. I never set eyes on him, for which I am both sorry and glad. '. . . but then all the mien in our snip who have seen him arc such soft toads they have done nothing but blast their eyes and cry ever/rrince he was killed. God bless you! CI-rips that fought like the devil sit do T .Tn and cry like a wencn.'' The book as a whole is a wonderful record, stage by stage, of the grim mastery of the sea.

"The Deinosaur.'s Egg," by Mr Edmund Candler, i<? the sort of book that is easy to read but hard to describe. It has little or no plot in the conventional sense, -but is genial, irresponsible and discursive. Tt is mainly concerned with the doings of a delightful English" family, arid a certain Uncle Bliss, who is neither their ur..-.le nor blissful in. disposition. He is no relation at all, as they are careful to tell everyone—a crochetty eccentric, and, a naturalist, explorer and collector. He has had trouble with the authorities, in Kenya, i because he wished to export a pigmy, and he believes that in a v rmeote Ehodc- v sian swanin a pterodactyl, still survives. On the strength' of native legend he goes there, and sure enough sees a strange and monstrous animal, which: he shoots. Unfortunately it is r swallowed up in the morass, so he can furnish no evidence of his catch. Uncle Bliss is sublimely indifferent to con-, vention. One of hi* foibles is to take his own liquor to dinner parties, even where. ; the establishment is a teetotal one. Parts of the book are irresistibly funny. Uncle "Bliss is an admirable creation, and there are two charming children.

One of the most important books about the war will be "The Intimate Papers of Colonel Hauso," which is to be published shortly. House was President Wilson's nio'i cherished instrument and adviser. Responsible sections of the American Press described him as""Assistant-Present House." President Wilpoti himself called him "my second personality." The new volumes will contain Colonel House's diary and correspondence, linked together into a connected narrative by Dr. Charles Seymour, Profo-sor of HistoTy at Yale University, and one of America's foremost living historians. Colonel House's opinions about the statesmen and diplomats of Europe on both sides are exceedingly frank and unreserved.

Sin"'-! *><<■> r.->ms>:i «f Swin'burne passed into the fnorins? of Mr. T. J. Wise, they have been on the way to publication. • Soon we shall have a complete collection of all that Is extant of his work in Border balladry. There will be ~nr.P".»-- which Swinburne ballad '" which. ,he treated <omo theme in h*2 own way, | without quotation "from ft* 7 interior 'version, "xr.il ballads wo.V;-. in subject and "Prc-Eai.hae'.He in deling. Of the full Eoncluirch edition of Swinburne'" tvritir.g* Tr rMiemann has nowpublished four vol'uoef? and sixteen ijnorc r- f " rw?; U is-hoped, during" Uho "- ' l --V'-c