Literary Notes.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1024, 16 October 1891, Page 13

Literary Notes.

Edited by T. L. Mills. Readers cf the Mail who are interested in literary subjects and who meet with any difficulties in the study thereof, are invited to put their trouble into a question ard send it to this co umn and an answer will be given iiereiu ns early as convenient. As an encouragement to literary beginners the editor will fniily and honestly criticise any writings sent to him lor that purpose and short contributions irora readers will be we’comod for publication. Publishers and booksellers are invited to send books and publications of general interest for notice in th s column, thereby enabling country readers to to be in touch with the latest works in the Colony. Address all communications for this column to The Literary Editor, New Zealand Maid.’ ANSWERS TO QUERIES. Can you give me the origin of the word 4 Preface ’? Wbiteb. The word preface, used in the beginning of books, was originally a word of welcome to a meal, and was equivalent to 4 Much good may it do you.’ I shall be obliged if you can give me through y*ur column an example of a quotation which can read two ways through punctuation. w. u. I cannot supply the name of the author of the accompanying example you asic for, but it is one of the beat I have seen for mispunctuating. You may wish to try it, so I will leave all ‘points ’ out. If you put your points at the end of the lines some wonderful things have been seen, whereas if you point after the object seen, you will find the difference :

I saw a peacock with a fiery tail I saw a blazing comet drop down hail I saw a cloud bedecked with ivy round I 6aw a sturdy oak crawl on the ground I saw a pismire swallow a whale I saw the sea brimful of nut brown ale I Aw a Venice glass full ten foot deep E saw a well full of men’s tears that weep I saw men’s eyes all in a flame of fire I saw a house larger than the moon and higher I saw the sun oven at midnight I buw tho man that saw this wondrous sight. I would bo glad to know if Ralph Iron, (Olivo Sekreinorj is still nlivo, and at what ago she wrote the novel ‘ The Story of an African Farm.’ Enqtjieeb (Wanganui). Olive Schreiner is at present living in the back country of South Africa (or was at last reports), devoting her leisure to inculcating by writings her gospel, which is that if the world can bo saved at nil it can only be saved at all it can only be saved by love. She comes of a gifted family, and took the manuscript of ‘ The Story of Ihi African Farm ’ to England when she was about 20 years of ago, and it was published in 3853, chiefly through ihe efforts and advice of George Meredith. Wellington book-stalls now have this book in cheap form, and it is a singularly poworful spiritual autobiography. Mias Schreinor has also written some powerful parables. Tho spring season is with us, and foreign journals have made much capital out of the ‘spring poot.’ Can you give your readers an example of spring poetry ? S. Pbing.

f There has been a groat deal of rubbish 5 published under tho term 4 spring poetry,’ i- and also some good things. I give my > friend, whose signature looks seasonable, a quotation which I would name 4 The Prize Spring Poem.’ My readers in the I country will admire it, lam certain. , Row a day’s hearty work (a hard all-day’s ? figbt, miud you), in garden and lawn, with ‘ rake and spadiug-fork, brushes tho megrimmed cobwebs out of the mind, and smoothes the wrinkles of the brow ! All those sad phantasmal fancies of the Winter melt away, knots in the brain are untied, those grudges against your poor fellow mortals are forgotten. With the springing grass spring anew in the heart the hopes and dreams of youth. Everything seems possible now. Tho muscles of the bra>r swing in tally with tlioso of tho ’ arms, and plans of work and pleasure are ■ laid. The landscape reels mirage-like i through the smoke of burning leaves ; from [ out the flames of that crackling pile of Winter-seasoned brush comes, tenuous and shrill, a plaintive long drawn whistle (Pflffen) ! —the weird out-sighing of the life of the l half green stick, is it ?—the hardy hyacinths have fought their way up through the unfrozen mould under the leave* ; tho crocus is getting ready to bloom, while Proserpiuo is moulding its gold wax cups down in the earth and fashioning with cunning fingers the fretted diadems of the dandelion —a flower unbonorod perhaps by the mass of men, but loved by the gods and tlieir friends. Who was the author of the treatise entitled * The Shortest Way with Dissehtora V R.G.B. This was a political satire by the celebrated author of ‘Robinson Crusoe,’ Defoe, a man who, in spite of his prominence as a political writer, is now remembered by what he regarded as tho most unworthy of his own productions. Tho ‘ Shortest Way ’ tract was published in 1702 as a jest. It is really a playful plea for liberty of conscience, as you will no doubt have recognised in reading it. With exquisite humour Defoe gravely argued that the only effective method of dealing with Dissenters was to hang all Ihe ministers and send all tho members of their congregations to America. Unfortunately the joke was not seen, everybody took the treatise in earnest, and of course it made an immense sensation. Some churchmen declared Defoe was right, others that his method was too radical and could not bo carried out, whilst the Dissenfers loudly demanded ha 3 punishment. The Government found itself compelled to take notice of the book, the unlucky author was sent to Newgate, and after trial was condemned to stand ia the pillary for three days. This punishment wa3 the occasion of Defoe's famous ‘ Hymn to tho Pillory.’ Kir Yerooh has sent mean original sketch, entitled ‘ A Useless Girl,’ for acceptance or criticism, probably encouraged by my recent note to ‘Kapiis.’ 'ln this instance tho sketch has been accepted, and it will be published in next week’s Mail. Tho incident i 3 brought out in an original manner, the theme being consistent throughout, reminding one in its troatment somewhat of Bret Harte in his short sketches'. I would encourage ‘ Kip ’ to pay more attention to * finish ’or literary polish. ~The brevity is excellent, and short sketches require much care. I shall be pleased to hear from this beginner again.

REVIEW. The Philadelphian, a novel,- by L. J. Jennings, author of ‘The Millionaire,’ See. Macmillan’s Colonial Library. S. and W. Mackay, Lambton-quay. 2s 6d. Mr Louis J. Jennings, the author of tho work under review, is known from one end of America to the other, through his splendid editorial achievement of exposing and overthrowing the celebrated Tammany Ring in New York, when he was the editor of tho New York Times. He is a Londoner by birth, but lias done a groat deal of journalism abroad for the Times. In 1877 ho published a charming book of English country walks,

1 Field Paths and Green Lanes,’ and in 1880 a similar work, 1 Rambles Among the Hills.’ In 1868 lie published ‘Republican Government in the United States,’ and in 1883 a novel, ‘ The Millionaire.’ lie sits in tho English Parliament as a Conservative member for Stockport. The story treats of the friendship of Uvo Americans, the Philadelphian, Rufus Snapper (a Northerner) and Colonel Pendleton (a Southerner), after tho War. Later these friends go to England, and the Colonel is induced to visit the castle of a relative in Wales. The WoLh squire is like, the Colonel, a widowor with one child, and tho Americans being induced to make the castle their home, the squire’s son and the Colonel’s daughter are brought up together as children of one family, and become very much attached to one auother, their affection forming the love episode. Tho Squire, on a visit to Paris, is smitten with the charms of an Americau adventuress, whom he marries. When the Philadelphian meets this lady ho recognises her as the widow of a former clerk of his, who, through the ex’ravagance of his wife, embezzled the whole of Snapper’s money. At the time of her second marriage Mrs Rafferty had a gro vn up son of worthless character. This second marriage caused an estrangement between the Squire and his son, and while in his toons Geoffrey Clavering meets his life’s temptation. During the pvirsuit of his studies under a clever but dissipated coach named Finch, who possessed a captivating daughter, the innocent youth was beguiled into marmariage, and upon this hangs the thread of the story. Sam Rafferty also falls into tho meshes of the Finch family. When family complications have reached an acute stago the murder of the Squire talce3 place, suspicion pointing to tho stepson, who associates with dangerous characters of the Irißh-American political class. The Philadelphian has played the part of adviser and friend up to this point, but ho now assumes tho roll of avenger, and the* manner in which he follows up the various clues of the forced marriage and bigamy, the Finch forgeries, and finally the murderer, forms a narrativo which is exceedingly interesting. Tho book is one which I strongly recommend to lovers of well-written Action.

ABOUT BOOKS. (FEOII OUB LONDON COSEESPO NDENT.) August. THE EriO OF SAUL. Mr W. C. Wilkinson’s book treats of a great theme with no inconsiderable success. The poem is rot strictly historical. Even Saul’s character, before his conversion, lacks fidelity,—judging from the great Apostle’s record of his own life. Besides this Mr Wilkinson has, from what is, as sketched in Holy writ, in the main a profile sketch, elaborated a complote picture. For tho author there is justification for this course ; nay there is an absolute necessity. The characters that can be introduced are few ; and in the main but outlines. Then too os it flits across the page of Scripture, the shadow of such as Gamaliel or Agrippa appeals to tho poet’s soul for form, for embodiments. Two tasks are therefore set tho writer, ne must amplify his existing characters, be must create others to complete tho picture. Doubtless for the true poetic genius the first would suffice.

However scanty the materials presented to him he moulds them with the fire of his own genius and a masterpiece is tho result. But this is not so with anyone short of a Heaven sent poet ; and, without wishing to detract from bis work, which is in many places far from meritless, a Heaven sent poet Mr Wilkinson is certainly not. Of the historical characters, Gamaliel at once appoals to us. The few hints given in the Bible narrative have been expanded into a character, which in any age, but more especially in one like our own, would strike a sympathetic chord in the heart of many a reader. His clearness of judgment, his sincerity, above all his doubt, arc beautifully pourtrayed, and one can almost feel him realising an unpalatable truth and vnnguished by a conviction, which comes in the guiso of a hideous apostacy. Another admirable picture is that of Saul. One cannot but think that Mr Wilkinson’s estimate of the Apostlo’s earlier life is a wrong one. Mistaken St Paul was, but consciously unjust he was not. Tho whole of his writings, tho wholo of his sermons, preserved to us, point to the falseness of Mr Wilkinson's estimate. Still, making allowances for this mistake and reading tho later development of St Paul’s character by the light of it, we must recognise how well Mr Wilkinson has succeeded with his hero—whensoever we see the Apostle, the wholo poem is imbued with life.

If it bo true that into his poem the author has introduced his own spiritual experiences, this may account for the air of reality, as prevalent in places. Are wo indebted to actual experience also for the other types—the Apostle’s sister, the wife and children of St Stephen and last of all the tempter Shimei 1 All of these characters are finely conceived and well worked out. They serve to strengthen tho framework of the poem and to throw out into bold reliof' tho figure of the Apostle. They are the cement, which binds into coherence the rest of tho fabric. Their presence seems necessary for tho completion of the picture. Without these we should feel that something was lacking. But the mere fact that these figures are so essential to the strength of the whole, is from an artistic standpoint tho poem’s greatest blemish. To pass from the poem to the poetry. In places Mr Wilkinson lms done right well. What could be finer, for instance, than these lines

‘ The tumult grow a tempest when Saul ceased. No single voice of mortal man might liopo, Though clear like clarion and like trumpet loud To live in that possessed demoniac sea Of vast vociferation whelming all, Or rido the surgoa of the wild uproar. What ailed tlico, O thou sea, that thy mad mind So suddenly, was soothed ? Did “ Peace be still 1” Dropping, an unction from tho Holy One, Softly as erst on stormy Galileo Wide overspread tho summits of tho wave And sway their swelling down to glassy calm ? Stephen stood forth to speak and all was still.’

Or where could wo meet epigram more beautifully expressed : ‘ Gamaliel spoke and ceased, but while lie spoke His speaking was like silence audible, Rather than sound of voice; and when he ceased, His ei.ence was ns eloquence prolonged.’ But, on the other hand, there are serious defects in the poem, defects to offend both ear and taste. The paraphrases of Scripture are abominable, some linos are of most uncouth metre and whole passages are vapid and colourless to a degree. Still, despite all these, the poem is well worth reading and reflects no little credit on its writer.

ON HEATHER 1111,1.9. This is a very fair novel, as novels go now-n-days although impi-obable, especially in the latter portions. Tlie whole story hinges oh the great self devotion of the hero, Malcolm Strong. When in his prime; he meets and, wdlly nilly, is married by a bright young Australian girl. Tho young lady does not differ much from tho ordinary female. She is foolish and shallow; and soon tiring of her husband, she deserts him for a step-brother of his, to whom lie has been more than kind. To shield bis wife’s honour and to escape from tho scene of his wrecked happiness. Strong leaves the country 1 under circumstances which point to his liav- \ ing been drowned. While abroad be suffers divers diseases ; and particularly has small--1 pox Jbadly. Circumstances drive him once more into contact with his wife ; and he learns that she is subjected to gross brutality . from tho man she thinks her husband. Strong, unknown to her, enters her service as butler and we are asked to believe that so changed is he, bo worn and scarred by his illness, that Ulysses like, he lives unknown in his wife’s home, recognised by none Eave the dog. We again have a kaleidoscopic action at the end ; but, like all else in the novel, it but subserves to show in glowing colours the heroism and magnanimity of the much suffering Strong. JAOj&’S father, and other stories. Mr Norris’ writings are always possessed of merit. In contradistinction to most English writers he has the gift of writing stories which, though short are at the same lime interesting. In fact at this particular line he bids fair to equal Mr Rudyard Kipling (who, by llic way, is to arrive in Wellington by the Doric.) The volume at | present under notice is of this type. Space I doesn to permit of the mention of I more than one of the stories. ProI bably ‘Jack’s Father’ is the best. We meet with a man something of the type of ‘ Derrich Vaughan.’ Jack is an artist, whose father is absolutely dependent on him. The son works day and night to keep his selfish and extravagant father in luxury. In fact to do so he casts away all chance of ultimate success by painting pictures which, though of a paying kind, have a degrading tendency, so far as true art is concerned. In course of time, however, a new vista seems for a moment to open itself. As most young men do, the hero falls in love with a girl, who is, according to the wont of young ladies in novels, distinctly lovable. Jack’s father, fearing for his comforts, comes between the lovers. Ho goes to tho girl’s mother, tells her that his son’s income though apparently large is subject to heavy claims cf a nature which he will not disclose. The mother fearing tho worst, breaks off tho match ; and Jack, upon discovering the reason, too late dies broken hearted. AN OLD maid’s LOVE. This novel, a foreign one to judge from tho name of the author and tho personnel of his characters, i 3 distinctly readablo. From the title one might expect a latter day romance with the wild passion of a middle aged maiden lady. Wiiat is really the theme of the book is the uncompromising devotion of an elderly spinster for her adopted nephew Arnout Oostrum. ' Tante Suze, for by that name we learn to know tho heroine, wishes to see her boy settled in life as a pastor. The boy has ro taste for the life, but love and gratitude prompt him to fall in with tho plan. Temptation, however, in the garb of a young French vicomtesse, presents itself to him. lie ■wnvors. To a good simple soul like Tante Suze the chasm opening for Arnout seems liko a bottomless pit. To save him she risks all—good and evil; and fails. Her action but decides him, and ho throws in bis let with the vicomtesse. Tho old maid’g mis -ry, and the young fool’s paradise that ensue can well bo imagined. Finally the old Tante is driven to make one more effort: and loses her all without avail. In the end Arnout is rescued, how, those who are anxious to know may discover for themselves from an exceedingly interesting novel. TUB HAI.IETTS. ; An interesting study of quiet country life is presented to us in Leslie Keith’s latest work. The plot hinges on the will of Mr HoUett, of Hallett Place. The rapid turn of fortune’s wheel, and the various complications produced by the document in question, end sufficient vividness and energy to the story. But apart from this, we find the same nice discrimination of character and the same faculty for pourtraying distinct individuals, without too abundant individuality, which lend such charm to all this authoress’ novels. In this, her latest, she has, however, surpassed herself, and some of the characters drawn are perfect notably, the lawyer

1 Hallett and his son Andrew. Mrs Sniee, too, tho doctor's wife, is an admirable conception. , In fact, so well has the authoress succeeded in . her word painting, that even the least literary instinct cannot but see how vastly subordinate in interest the plot itself is. To all who wish to read a really good novel, and one, moreover, which is by no means uni* l formly conventional, ‘ The Halletts ’ can be confidently recommended. 3 TEACHING IN TEHEE CONTINENTS. Just at present the national mind of Britain is strongly agitated about education. It is but a few short months since Lord 1 Salisbury’s Government passed their free ' education Act. Wo are now anxiously waiting to see how it will work. Everyono is * interested and desirous to know how the measure will affect him or her. Consequently , a more opportune moment for the appearance of Mr Grasby’s book could hardly havo , been secured. The author speaks with the voice of authority. lie has had considerable experience of schools and schooling in the , colonies; and he has for himself visited and inspected most of tho great teaching places in the States and Great Britain. His book bears evidence of no small knowledge and care. The phases of education in the various quarters of the world are admirably 5 analysed, their good and bad points insisted on, and their weak as well as their strong ‘ sides displayed. ! Doubtless to niost of us the system of 1 education in the States will be most interesting, inasmuch as it is almost unknown. State education there is practically none. ■ National education is quite unknown. It is , in the pities ahd\ school districts almost i entirely that the control of the schools vest; ) Of schools there are three classes —primary, , grammar, and high. Like the colonies, but i unlike Great Britain, the States possess no ' infant schools ; but seeing that children enter ' tho primary school at six years of age, there l is, one might think, no very great need for l them. Then, too, in some towns ot the i States kindergartens have been established ; i and wherever this has been done the system i has succeeded beyond expectation. Mr r Graf by looked in vain for these excellent ■ institutions in England, but he has much to i say in praise os the infant schools here. Children in America usually remain in the ) primary schools until they have reached their ( tenth year, when they pass oneto the gram- ' mar schools. The children spend on an . average four years in passing through this second stage ; and at the age of fourteen > the majority rise to the high schools, where secondary education is supplied. Dp to this i point the whole education is free; so that ! until the age of nineteen or twenty, when they leave the high schools for tho , universities or business, the education does , not cost the parents one penny, i To colonials the use made of the schools by rich and poor, high and low alike will not sound such an anomaly as it does in England. But even in New Zealand Christ’s College, in Christchurch, Nelson College, and ' others, are looked upon as necessities by many. In America those schools, equally > with the great ‘public’ schools here, would soon die a natural death—simply because no one would use them. All who desire school--1 ing for their ehildreu secure it there by ; state aid. There is, however, one thing l which militates heavily against this system of education. It. is this :—Education is not compulsory; and for that very reason tho ■ poor classos get but little of it. In the Southern States, we are told, the increase in the number of illiterates is somewhat remarkable, because there, the population being scanty, the system is more or less a failure. A point in which the Americans seem far ahead both of Great Britain and the colonies is in the matter of manual training. To this great attention is directed, with the result that boys learn to use their bands as well as their heads; and when they leave school they are not likely to lose all their * book learning ’ in their endeavours to master a trade. The foregoing short notice cannot do anything like justice to even one very small portion of Mr Grasby’s admirable work, which should certainly be studied not only by teachers and educational pundits, but by all those who wish to know something about tho working of the educational system in divers parts of the English-speaking world. •3 WESSONS IN ELEMENT AEY BIOLOGY. New- Zealand has many reasons to pride herself. By no means least on the possession of professors and teachers, the echo of whose words is listened to with respect by eminent specialists here, whose range of studies lies in similar directions. These remarks suggested themselves to me on reading a review of Prof. T. Jeffry Parker’s new book by so eminent a man as Professor Ray Lancaster. It would be in the highest degree presumptuous for one who has but a ‘ little knowledge ’ of biology to attempt a scientific review of the Otago Professor’s work. For those who wish to read such it will be sufficient to refer to Nature for July 30th, 1891. But many, who have no great scientific attainments, may wish to know something of one of the most fascinating studies —a study too which Herbert Spencer tells us is essential if we would rightly appreciate the lessons and intricacies of sociology. Eor men in this attitude, Prof. Parker’s book fills a long folt gap. Up till now the only authoritative book which affected to treat of elementary biology was the one by Buxley and Martin, and even that was avowedly * practical ’ not theoretical. So that men seeking for knowledge on this subject could only find it by diving deep into elaborate treatises. But now all this is changed. Anyone can procure Professor Parker’s book ; almost anyone can understand and suck wisdom from it. We have a clear and succinct account of tho various phenomena ot life told in language ‘to be understanded of the people.’ From tbe study of life thus presented to us, we are impressed with what Spencer refers to as * continuity of causation and complexity of causation,’' and one might add inevitableness of causation. We sec the effect of environment in moulding the organism, and more than all we witness the wondrous workings of evolution—that conception of latter days which has so completely revolutionised every form of thought.