TORRID LITERATURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7020, 7 January 1910, Page 10

TORRID LITERATURE

LADY' CARDIGAN AND SOME OTHERS. "XORTHOLIFF.E NUTSHELLS." FKOM OUE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. LONDON, November 26. "Farthest from tho Truth— a series of dashes." by tho author of the ever popular "Wisdom while you wait," is a. breezy little volume that promises much more than it awards, but ono that is yet thoroughly np to date, and, in parts, is amusing and entertaining. Tho Countess of Cardigan, though unknown to the general public before tho publication of her singular memoirs, has, since then, made herself and her book such a topic of varied discussion that it is not surprising to find her included with Mr Hubert Wales and Mrs Eleanor Glvn in what is called '-The Dash for tho Earth's Centra" :—' "HOT STUFF." "It is good news for readers who. like their fiction to come directly to grips with life that the literary expedition to the source of heat is proceeding so rapidly. Nothing but Satisfactory reports have so far been received from tho bravo explorers. ''Lady Cardigan wires: 'Have nowreached depth of 500 miles. It is getting exceedingly sultry. Certain. members of the smart set hang on, but they look tired. All the commandments that we brought with us have long since melted.' 'Mrs Elinor Glvn telegraphs: "Deeper and deeper still. No signs of the Countess's party. Temperature 250 Fahrenheit; very trying to complexion." "Hubert Wales says: 'Have every hope of reaching the goal before Lady Cardigan. John Long getting broader and broader under heat expansion.' " The "Dash for Brevity" is the heading given to a number of episodes appearing at intervals in the booh as Interludes of Expansion. Lord Northcliffe is supposed to have commissioned two of. his editors— Hammerton and Mee—to "give brief concentrated versions of the 1000 best books," and a consequent "potting" takes place at express speed, the only signs given the outside' public being telephone confidences from one perspiring editor to another during the progress of tho work. A couple of Interludes of Expansion will servo to give a picture of the potting process. JANE AUSTEN—BATHER GOOD! Hammerton: I say Mee. Mee: What is it? Hammerton: Nothing, only aren't you getting bored? Mee: A ever. Hammerton: But, you know—Jane Austen? She's really rather good, don't you think? Isn't it a pity to pretend she could only outline plots? Mee: For goodness' sake, man, don't indulge that dangerous vein. Hammerton: All right. I'll do my best. But, you know, I can't help it. I rather like long books. Mee: Kindly remember that we've both burnt our boats, and get on with your work. BOILING DOWN GIBBON. Mee: What are you on now? Hammerton: I was just beginning Gibbon. Mee: Have you done Buckle's "History of Civilisation"? Hammerton: Done it ? I should think sol I did it this morning. Mee: How many pages will Gibbon make? Hammerton: Wel.l, to do it justice I should say ten. Mee: Ten! Have you lost your senses? His Lordship won't allow ten for a back number like Gibbon. Sis is the limit. Hammerton: Very well, six. But I can't get everything in, in that case. Mee: Do your best, only harry up. Hammerton: But it'a so jolly interesting. Mee: You'll ruin everything if you go on like that.