AMONG THE BOOKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13742, 6 May 1908, Page 9

AMONG THE BOOKS.

Mr. Bium .-Stokeb has -written a .new novel called •'" Lady Athlayiic," which will, be shortly published. It "deals with incidents of aliases and confused identities. Mr. Stoker made his first appearance as a novelist with "Under the Sunset" in 1882. Mr. James Braid, who was open golf champion 1900, 1905, and 1906, has written a book on " Advanced Golf," which Messrs. Methuen are to publish. It is intended for all players who have already obtained some knowledge of the game, even if only a slight knowledge. When "'John Chilcote" appeared inBlackwood's several people got so interested in the story that they could not wait for the instalments, but wrote asking how it-was to end. An experience of this sort has probably happened to other novelists than Mrs. " Thurston, and Mr. W. 1). Howells crakes it the central idea of a novel. "Fennel and Rue," which Messrs. Harper are to publish. " Stubble Before the Wind" (Long) contains a number of short stories by Mrs. Campbell Praed, who uses her well-known gifts to advantage in this entertaining volume. Many of the tales are devoted to the ghosts, but none are unduly terrifying. The author is gentle with lis, and Aunt Felicia's powers of second-sight are sometimes, exercised over quite simple and pleasant things.'

According to the American Library JourHal, M.V. Carnegie's benefactions "for libraries during 1907 amounted to a total of 1,631,630 dollars, as against 3,063,925 dollars for 1906. The total amount now. given by Mr. Carnegie for this purpose is upwards of 49.000,000 dollar?. The 1907 gilts include 7500-dollars for a" library in Fiji, and 8750 dollars for a library in the' Seychelles Islands.

Six years ago the Kaiser cabled to the Tsar a message which history has already belied: — " The Admiral of the Atlantic salutes the Admiral of the Pacific." However, the terms of the/message have suggested the title of a book, "The Admiralty of the Atlantic," which Messrs. Longman are about to publish. it is by Mr. Pereival A. Mislam, and it is a- study of the development of German sea power—past, present, and prospective.

Miss Olive Christian Malvery (Mrs. A. Mackirdy) has completed a new book, "Thirteen Nights," of the same character as her earlier work. "The Soul Market,'' describing her adventures in the course of social studies. Her intention, is to devote her royalties to the fund for a cheap-night shelter for women and girls in London, for which the readers of "The Soul Market" have subscribed £2000 of the £10,000 required. Lord Brassey is the treasurer of the fund.

Recent events lead us to attach peculiar importance to any authentic information concerning the aims and feelings of the natives of India. This is what we are promised in a book announced bv Mr. Murray, "Indian Problems." . Its author is a Hindu gentleman, Mr. S. M. Mitra, who has worked not only in his own country; but also in the Nizam's territory. He is fully convinced of the necessity of the British isaj, and appreciates its benefits, hut at. the same time he is- able to point out some reasons for English unpopularity and to suggest means for its removal. 'The. fact that an introduction has been contributed by Sir George Birdwood should be a sufficient guarantee of the value of the book..