WITH PAPER-KNIFE AND PEP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 12

WITH PAPER-KNIFE AND PEP.

" Short Studies in Shakespere,” by Alex. Wilson, M.A. Dunedin and Wellington: Whitcombe and Tombs.) Mr .Mo c. Wilson, the Rector of the Ot?gc Boys’ High School, is an enthusiastic strident of onr greatest English literary genius, and naturally taking intense interest in the Dunedin Shakespere Club, of which lie is the president, delighted hi 3 fellow members eluring a recent session by a series of lectures on Shakesperian plays and characters. In his preface to a volume which is of exceeding interest to Shakespere lovers, and which is one most important contributions to New Zealand literature we have had for some time post, Mr Wilson points out that had liis "Studies” been written in the first instance and specially for publication, they would have taken a different form. “A definite system of classification, chronological or otherwise.” would have been followed, and “ the plays dealt with would have received more serious and exhaustive treatment.” We are just as glad that- Mr Wilson.did not adopt such a plan. Ris pleasantly gossippy style might then not have been so agreeably present, there might have been a danger, of pedantry, whereas the hook, as it is, is a collection of delightful "arm-chair essays," delightfully free from the taint of bookwormish dogmatism and overloading with detail. The twenty separate studies show that their author has saturated himself with Shakesperian lore, and although in some there is plainly a more sympathetic touch than in others, this is only natural—in Shakespere, as with every other great writer, the student and reader has inevitably his favourites. In the first essay, <f The Shakesperian Miracle," Mr Wilson examines very carefully the pitifully poor collection of facts and fancies which are known or have found currency among students. The Baconian heresy in ignored, and the author confesses himself unable to solve the mystery as to where Shakespere got the Surprisingly varied knowledge of men and things which finds exemplification in his long roll of masterpieces. As an example of Mr Wilson’s style, the following extract may be of interest -.r Wo® ever there such an instance of self-effacement P And was ever there such a self effaced? Here is the great Shakespere miracle. Not his Hamlet or Macbeth; these of course are miracles, as in the last analysis all genius ia miraculous, But that this leviathan should have swum the London waters for twelve years and hardly made a ripple on their surface. Where were the Boswells of the time P Why did they not record the great man’s doings, gather up the pre-

cious sayings, and chronicle the minutest life history of this self-forgetting genius? Had he been more wasteful, had he taken the dictator’s chair at some Fleet street tavern, brow-beaten his opponents and snubbed his friends, no doubt some ob seqnious lickspittle would have enriched tlie world with a minute and faithful record of his life. There is so much’we should like to know. What books did lie read, and what did lie think of them? What great men did he cultivate, and what did he say about them? Where did lie get the models for his noble gallery of women? Where did he get his knowledge of high-bred and courtly manners? Whence came that astounding knowledge of the world, his acquaintance with the crooked ways of statecraft, his familiarity with soldiers, churchmen and kings? The studies of " Hamlet," " Caliban,” " Macbeth" and "Malvolio" are those we like best in Mr Wilson’s gallery of portrait sketches. His " Falstaff," too, is very clever, but we prefer Mr Augustine Birrell’s study of the same character (in "Obiter Dicta," Vol. I.). The lecture on " lago ’’ is full of suggestive thoughts, and evidences very close study of a curiously compounded character. In the plays we turn, as most Shakespere lovers do in books of this kind,, to "As You Like It," for in no other play, to oil." mind, is there so much knowledge of human nature, so much kindly philosophy, so much tenderness and quaint humour. Mr Wilson’s essay on this play makes delightful reading. " King Lear ’’ receives exhaustive treatment, but indeed Mr Wilson exhibits throughout evidences of wide reading, searching study, and no small originality of thought and comment. His book is well worthy a place alongside the best work of English and German commentators. The style is free and flowing, and the alleged “ lightness of treatment " for which the author makes unnecessary apology in his preface (on acconut of the friendly character of his original audience) is one of the most agreeable features of the lectures. Mr Wilson is to be congratulated upon having written such a valuable and interesting book, and Dunedin in possessing so ripe a Shakesperian scholar and genial a commentator. The publishers, Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, have done their share of the work very well. The format is handy, though we should have preferred an octavo, the sober olive green cover in the best possible taste, and the paper (though unfortunately of the now old-fashioned “toned" character) and printing all that could he desired. (Price, 65.)

SUNDRY PUBLICATIONS

The New Year’s number of the "Pall Mall Magazine ’’ is to hand from the publishing office, Charing Cross, London. A beautiful photogravure reproduction of M. Lauren’s last year’s Salon picture "An .Usliant Fisherman ’’ is the frontispiece. Another exquisite artistic feature is Miss Frances H. Low’s article " Impressions at the Rembrandt Exhibition at Amsterdam," which is freely illustrated with reproductions of some of the Flemish master’s works. "The Fall of Khartoum; Notes from a Caotain’s Diary During the 1838 Campaign," is a title which explains itself. The snapshot photos, which illustrate the article are decidedly interesting. Bibliophiles will enjoy Mr Layard’s article on " The Suppressed Plates by Thackeray," in which, inter alia, some new information is given as to the supposed identity of the Marquis of Steyne in Vanity Fair" with the Marquis of Hertford. A series of articles on " Naval Heroes at Westminster Abbey " is commenced, the accompanying plates being works of art, and Mr Manton’s illustrations to Mr Crockett’s sensational Italian story, " The Silver Skull," are as usual full of vigour. A complete story, “ Ensign Keightley’s Home-Coming," by Mr A. E. W. Mason, who wrote that successful novel, " The Courtship o,f Maurice Buckler," is capital reading, but the exNew Zealander’s (My Marriott Watson’s) “ Open Door" in (h$ “ Skirts of Chance" series is maryed by affectation and gross Improbability,

Tho Christmas " Windsor," a copy of which we have to acknowledge from Messrs Ward, Lock and Co. (through Messrs S. and W. Mcckav)* is a marvellous shillings tvorih. Mr Rudyard Kipling contributes the first of what promises to be a delightful series of boys and boyish escapade*, en titled " Stalky and Co. ’; vWW' Doyle, Bret Harte, Marie Sir Edwin Arnold are also on (Vie. programme, and the indefatigable Mr Crockett, who really must possess a secret novel-producing machine, is to the fore with the first instalment of a new serial, "Joan of the Sword." A specially written article deals with “ Cliristmastide at Sandringham" and the family life of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Rev Mr FitchoU jqves some stirring examples of “ Jack Tar’s Fighting Courage," apd there are many other features. Pictures, 9reto be found on almost evyyy other, page, and are well drawn ami engrayed. And if aid this were not c-BjOngh,'"(he publishers generously throw fu as a supplement a complete novel, “ Plira the Phoenician," by Mr Edwin L. Arpold. Altogether the “Windsor" has beaten all previous achievements this Christmas. Only an enormous sale can possibly recoup the proprietors for their enterprise.