BARRY PAIN'S ELIZA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20922, 11 July 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

BARRY PAIN'S ELIZA.

AN OMNIBUS VOLUME. "How true it is, as one of our English poets has remarked, that it is always darkest before the silver lining!" Who could have uttered that exquisite sentiment but the fussy; platitudinous, kindly little husband of the downright Eliza, whose unromantic' . grasp of reality is constantly and unconsciously deflating the pomposity of his carefully prepared periods ? Eliza's, husband has something of the quality, though in a lower social grade, of " Beachcomber's " immortal Mr. Thake, and those who appreciate the humour of the late Barry Pain will rejoice to have the whole collection of " Eliza " sketches in * one generous volume. This is the third of the series of omnibus books which already includes " Humorous Stories" and " More Stories." These humorous stories are still recited and read in public all over Britain, but the second volume shows, the author as a serious artist, with a perfect mastery of the technique of shortstory writing. However, it is. as a humorist the Barry Pain is best known to the general public, and the Eliza volume will carry on the good work of "making millions laugh.'' V'- -

" The Eliza Books," by Barry Pain, (Werner Laurie.) r,. ■"