CURRENT LITERATURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16847, 11 May 1918, Page 3 (Supplement)

CURRENT LITERATURE.

NOTES ON NEW BOOKS. by CRITIC. We hear that the Germans are again making a peace movement. The alleged] terms suggest an international conference to settle certain questions. Mow interested the framers of these terms would be to read an expression of opinion which emanates from America, and which sets out to enlighten all the inclined-to-be-lenient and those unacquainted with the whole black list of German crimes. A SEARCHLIGHT ON GERMANY. I)r. William T. Hornaday, member of American Board of Trustees, American Defence Society, writes a most vigorous and healthily candid epitome of Germany'# crimes during the present war. He entitles it, "A Searchlight on Germany" (Angns Robertson, Sydney; Champtaloup, tjdmiston, Auckland). This little shilling book should be distributed broadcast to thoroughly disseminate the convictions, proved beyond shadow of doubt, of Germany s treacheries, atrocities, and crimps. Official documents, German soldier diaries, Government telegrams, figure in the evidence thus summarised in 34 pasree, all going to prove that Germany should alter the war be left "in a hell" of her own making ; that no decent Americans or British should recognise her peopie aa acquaintances. An excellent suggestion is put forward, that monuments should be erected to the memory of such victims its .Nurse Cavell. Captain Frvatt, and others, and that streets should be named after them to perpetuate the remembrance of wrongs inflicted. They author remarks: "We" want no sissies nor weak sisters representing us at the peace conference, pleading for easy terms for Germany. . . The onlr logical conclusion of Germany's career of crime and dirty fighting is at the close of the war the contempt, the aversion, and the loathing of the civilised world, and a universal policy of non-inter-course." 1 MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. Coulson Kernahan's book is " More Than This World Dreams Of"— Religious Tract Society, London). —His. cmiWuti. ii iq, that prayer is necessary for happy life, and he supports his arguments by many instances, and by quotations from many writers. Nelson "History of the War"—John Buchan —has reached volume 18, v.hi-li deals with affairs from the German overtures for peace to the American declination of wax. " Issues of Faith''by William Temple (Macmillan, London) —As rector of M. James', Piccadilly, and hon. chaplain to H.M. the King, the writer is known to the English public. His literary publications are increasing in quality, and the solidity of his standing as Churchman, makes his news of more than ordinary importance. The present series is really a series of sermons, delivered during Lent, 1917, and dealing excluively with those articles of the Creed, including " 'The Holy .Ghost," "The Holy Catholio Church." "The Forgiveness of Sins and Lite Everlasting." Bearing in mind the attacks made upon the Church for using the Creed as pivot, this book is erf especial interest, though the casual reader will not discern any further truth than is contained m the final paragraph —" We believe we put our trust in the Holy Ghost, who, working through the Holy Catholio Church, builds up the great Communion of Saints, through membership in which we learn to desire and become fit to receive the Fois giveness of Sins, whereby we hope for thai Resurrection of the Body, that purifies* tion of our whole being, including even th.o. service of temptation, which is the oondfct tion for inheritance of the Life Everlastr fog*" Eleanos Fareon's " More Nursery Rhymes 04 London Town"—(Duckworth* London). Very quaint stud of especial inn terest to Londoners are these rhymes. Thai authoress takes a name, say of Whitehall, and writes verses concerning its imaginary; origin. Marylebone becomes Mary Labone. " She gets no meat. She never has anything nice to eat, A supper fit for & dog alone is all the fare ox Mary Lebona. - Bayswater i "The bays come dowij to water Neigh, neigh, neigh! And there they found the brindled mules— Bray ! bray! bray. How dare you muddy the bays' water that was clear as glass How dare you drink of the bajra' watery yon children of an ass

From Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs, Auckland, come a eat of useful little handbooks on garden craft. They include, " Early Vegetables and How to Grow Them, by H. H. Thomas. The same aufchof also contributes " Fruit Tree Pruning." One that will make more appeal, because less restricted for climatic reason, is " 1000 Gardening Hints." In this the writer gives pictures of those beautiful garden effects, which the English produce to perfection, and which we. in New Zealand have only to see to admire always. The massing of blooms against walls, the combination of delightful colours, are charming indeed, and if his handbooks tend to introduce the English effects here, he is entitled to all praise. In any case, he gives good, useful, and practicable information. VERSE. A Tin ft Qlenny Wilson (Lady Wilson) is ! a very well-known and acceptable New ' Zealand poetess. She now publishes a new and enlarged edition of her " Book of Verses" (Elliot Stock, London). Hear versa is very pleasing, unstrained, and happy in love. She touches deeper notes la her " Memories," " R»mem« branee," " Crusaders," etc. He rides mo more over the moorland, Ills sail never shines on the sea. The serins fades and summer approaches, the fruit blossom falls from the tree. Hanpy he lies, and at resti he has chososS the better bart j Only think of him, friend. th</ in samoa, deep down in your innermost heart. And here in fantasia is a verse {sf typical New Zealand i — When with aLarw step midsummer (rentes Basses Over sere plains and ead bracken tide. From the shaking ffvaases does the mdtMS speckled brood aside* And here is " Musitf" « She sane when the fire was lew And the rain passed on with a humming tread. , , , . fir a beee that swarm when th© be®a-flowßts And the'wind -flower droops its head. " Whim" Wilfrid Wilson (Macmillan, London!writes with such a merry lilt. He makes happy verse eve® of such tragedies as battle and death. His metre is a very simple one, that oj the old ballad, and he makes frequent usa of the repeated line. Good, merry poems are his. Hero is one, en* titled "Ambulance Train Bed rowans in the rain Abov« the rain-wet rools All night the lutpbc-rine train With jolt and jar and shook, And moan of men in paii^ Beats rumbling in ms Drain—* Tied rowans *n the rain, A bone the s&in-wet rock. Again amd yet aeain Red rowans in tha rain, CONCERNING THE SWEET PEA. A very useful little handbook is published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney (Champtaloup and Edmiat-on, Auckland), entitled " The Australian Sweet Pea Annual." Its value lias very largely in tha fact that it consists of a number of ar- ' tides, written by specialists in this branch of horticulture, such specialists being actually growers. Each gives his garden experiences and personal advice, and as one of the writers remarks, his object is ' to encourage the ordinary flower-grower to give sweet peas a trial." As the contributions come from all parts of Australia, additional value is attached to t-iem. Official trials in Adelaide are noted, with attendant information. The editor supplies *' Some Enemies of the Sweet Pea." From Yates and Co. comes a chapter on tha " Concord." The history of the famous " Yarrawa," Australia's champion special pea, is given. Another valuable chapter is one'on "Hybrdirisation." Valuable illustrations are frequent in the annual, which will be a very welcome guide to growers el £hiu fasdiiatiryj; flower J