CURRENT LITERATURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 3 (Supplement)

CURRENT LITERATURE.

NOTES ON NEW BOOKS. by canto. When fee history of New Zealand's part in the war comes to be written, it is only to be expected that the compilers will do more than confine their attention to the official records. The private diary and the personal home letter often contain sidelights unobtainable from any other source. Nor there must not be forgotten the few excellent books published on the subject Particular attention may bo called to one listed. THREE YEARS WITH THE HEW ZEALANDEES. "Three Years with the New Zealanders" —by Lieutenant-Colonel C H. Weston, D.S.O. (Bkeffiington, London; Whitcombe and Tombs, Auckland).—Under this title Lieutenant-Colonel Weston publishes a full and graphic account of his, work with the New Zealand soldiers in Gallipoli, Egypt, and France. It is probably tho most detailed war book written by a soldier, and being the work of a (pliant officer, it is certain to be very highly appreciated in his own country. His aim in writing has been to make everything— nature of the training, the reasons for certain routine, the actual details ci raiding, of preparation, and of advancing and fighting—as clear as possible to the reader. So many have written in a vague method. They themselves know how they were placed, and what the details were. Bat non-combatants do not; and Colonel Weston's plan of telling everything is capital. Here is a typical detail—not of much seeming importance perhaps, but really most valuable in enabling to get a mental view of what was done at the front.

" The week preceding the attack by Hawke's Bay Company was one of busy preparation. The company trained hard at Kortepyp Camp, and every evening its officers and N.GQ.'s in turn came up and patrolled the area between No. 1 post and the railway line, and sometimes across the line towards the village. Two patrols were out on the night of the 21st, and one of them, under Sergeant L. W. Butler, encountered a Hun post on their side of the railway, and had a brush with it. Two nights later an enemy patrol came into our country, and, hiding in a ruined cottage in front of No. 2 post, surprised our patrol on its return journey. ... It was understood that we were to tackle tbs job of clearing the hedgerows on the 28tls, and preparations were made for that as well.* The author never neglects to mention names, tedious perhaps to the skimming casual reider, but from a New Zealand history point of view, ami even from a merely patriotic one, a much appreciated touch.' His whole book reflects a thorough, conscientious mind, the mind of an officer who looked after his men, spared no paiiw to make and keep them fit, and who fought and endured well for those three long years. Taranaki has every cause to be proud of this soldier-writer, and his book is one of New Zealand's most valuable war records. ,

A KUSIOIAB'S MEMOIRS. " The Musings and Memories of a Musician"—by Sir George Henschell, Mns. Doe. (Macmillan, London}— uncommonly good reading. There is usually something to bore one in a book such as this but Henschel's is absolutely without this drawback. As a chatty story of contemporary musicians and other artists, it is one of the Tery best things written. Much of it is necessarily personal, but it is all so kindly and so free from vanity that the result is a very engaging book. Henschel's portrait by Sargent, is reproduced and the man's- natural bonhomie and pheasant humour are very plainly seen in this. Of Polish parentage, this popular singer made his debut in Germany and in that, country and in Austria enjoyed the friendship of the esteemed and universally liksd Brahms. Coming to sing in London, Henschel found himself so much attracted by the English life and customs that he decided to make Britain his home. He chose Scotland for his residence and here and in the various musical centres he appears to have lived since 1877 a most happy life, liking many people and very evidently liked. His impressions of Russia in the latter half of the nineteenth century give with good effect, the impression of much wealth and extravagance *' A rich banker, for instance, saves himself the trouble of giving his coachman notice by engaging them invariably with the understanding that the moment they allow another carriage to pas's his they must consider themselves dismissed." There is something barbaric about this as altogether about the life of a wealthy Russian at home., Vast houses, often more like palaces : vast halls pervaded by a sweet scent as of incense; wide richlycarpeted staircases j huge porcelain stoves giving out a most gratifying warmth; "gorgeously uniformed major-domos with, sticks lik'e those of a drum-major; as. array of? liveried serranta; gigantic vaseii in malachite, lapis lazuli, and bronze.; marble istatuary— was quite staggered by all this display of wealth, comfort ancl ease, and luxury. Again referring to the generous enthusiasm of Petrograd audiences which often materialises in the shapo of a valuable present, bo that, for instance, it is not at all unusual for officers of a "crack" regiment to throw to a foreign prima donna, a, diamond bracelet, or some other precious piece of jewellery hidden in & bouquet of flowers. And sure enough after my second visit my valise was the heavier for containing several silver and gold cigarette cases and match boxes, a silver tankard, a silver bowl, a scarf pin, and other presents given to me by peopla I hardly knew." Henschel's autobiography, written and in- type before the war, and he asserts, scarcely altered except for the substitution of "Petrograd 3 ' for the old name, is an intimate and most entertaining volume-

FICTIOH. * His Alien Enemy "—by E. M. Forbes (Murray. London).— This is a fictional study of the results of war upon British women who have married Germans. One of them is very wealthy by reason of her husband's position, and very charming and cosmopolitan herself. But though she ! feels anything but German, her son fights for Gemany and is taken prisoner by as Englishman who was formerly _ his mother's gaest. Another American girl is the widow of a German, and refuses to come quickly to England as her intended British husband wishes. Her mother, who is responsible for ber delay, makes amends by travelling there herself on pretext of recovering her jewels to place them in a German bank The purpose of her visit is not as dear as it might be, but at last her daughter reaches safety, the latter being, during the war, .the ''alien enemy" of her love, owing to her marriage with the deceased German. The moral of the book is very clear as warning to keep nationalities clear for the future.

" The Year Between "—by Doris Egas ton (Cassell, London)— author of "Tha Coco Planter" again gives a vivid impression of Wert Australia backblock life. A new mine inspector arriving a'; his destination, finds the engineer btoxicated, and his young wife sitting with him by the roadside. He helps Jan to get her husband home; and very soon finds much to charm him in the girl who .xcepta so philosophically the idea that men should rink and gamble. A few weeks and EUice, the hußband, is found at the bottom of a mine shaft; and dying, tells John that he committed bigamy in marrying the ; , s girl. John Beresford takes the 'girl away to his sister's home, and he himself goe*?%.7 ; to the Front where he takes part in y[ ;><• Gallipoli landing. A mischief y%' Esme St. Clair, tries to separate : the two, and discovering the story of the bigamous fe-y marriage, informs Jan of the fact thai John merely wishes to marry to protect , her from scandal. h Truth rights things in , the end and the lovers marry. '?■ The out. ■' standing' feature of the book it tie ink?* esting&idy of rough life. *'..■• .'■'*■ ){■ ' :'- ■ -■•■■■ ■■■■■• , i- r ... :,.