WRITERS AND READERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7021, 8 January 1910, Page 9

WRITERS AND READERS

{BY "LIBEE") Mr Joseph Simp&on, four of whose caricature portraits of contemporary literary celebrities are reproduced on this page, is a clever young Scots artist who has done some very fine black-and-white work, some of which has been reproduced from time to time' in the "Studio. Mr Simpson has designed a Large number of book-plates, all exhibiting a great Originality of design and a strengtn of drawing which is very noticeable. The caricatures given iiuthe "Times” to-day are reproduced from the current year's issue of that excellent publication "The Odd Volume,” which is published in aid of the funds of the National Book Trade Provident Society of Great Britain. The "Odd Volume, which only costs a shilling, is surprisingly good value this year. The whole or its artistic and literary contents arecontribnted free of charge by the artiste and authors responsible. Amongst the artists represented are Lee llankey, Carton Moore-Park, Munro Orr Leslie Brooke, A. Garth Jones, Helen Stratton, Tom Browne, Granville Pell, W. M. ißirock, the lat© Phil May, and others; and the authors include Henry Newbolt, J. J. Bell, Francis Grierson, Mrs Henry Dudeney. Owen Seaman, lan Hay, Mrs C. N. Williamson, and a host of other well-known writers. The “Odd. Volume can be obtained from Mackays and Whitcombe and Tombs, and purchasers will not only be getting good value for their money but will have the additional satisfaction of knowing thy . are helping along a very worthy institution. .

As one who Was the first, I think, amongst writers of literary notes in the New Zealand press to recognise and draw attention to the splendid literary qualities of that exceptionally fine novel, “Marotz," 1 by a writer who styles himself “John Ayscough," I am much iih terested in some particulars concerning the novelist which have been kindly communicated by a correspondent. Mr Ayscough, it appears, is a Yorkshiireman, having been born at Leeds, the birthplace, by the way, of the present Poet Laureate, Alfred Austin, and is v like the poet, a Catholic. He is about fifty years of age, and was'in early life & close friend and honoured guest of the late Cardinal Manning, Mr Ayscough has been'for-some years a chaplain in, the British Army, holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Last year, after being (Stationed at the Salisbury Plain camp for some time, he wa-s transferred to Malta, but has since exchanged owing to ‘ill-health, and will, it is said, very shortly relinquish army life- in order to devote himself solely to. literature. .Mr Ayscough is one of the Pope's Chamberlains, and has", spent much time in Italv, which explains the strength and ’fidelity of the local colour in the first and, 60 far, 1 think, his best novel, “Marotz."

Mr Arscough’s latest work, a novel, "San Celestdno,” was published by Smith Elder and Co. last month, and has been well reviewed. Its principal figure is Peter di Morrone, a hermit by instinct 'and profession, founder of the (.‘destines, and who occupied. tho papal chair for five months as. Cclestiue V. The “Athenaeum” reviewer says “If ever a man ;was the victim of undeserved greatness, it was the gentle, self-distrustful; saint, [dragged from his cave in the Abruzzi, land brought to Romo as the pawn, of (Charles of Anjou, and his son, the King for Hungar.y. Nor did the resignation ;of his great refusal for which !Dante sent him to the mouthy of hell—j ‘bring him much peace at th© last, since! •in the thirteenth centtiTj’- meekness was an unappreciated and even a dangerous? finality.”

Next Saturday I hope to present, my; readers with, a, very striking portrait of Rudyard Kipling, and a brief biographijal “appreciation.” • . 1

A review of Mr Guy Scholefield’s book, “New Zealand in Evolution: Industrial, Economic, and Political,”: will appear in next Saturday’s “Literary Corner.” - Mr Scholefield has many friends in "Wellington, where he - spent some years as a’ member of the “Times” literary staff, and these will'be glad to know that he has written a very fine book.

Tho November numbers of the “Windsor,” “Cassell’s Magazine,” .and the “Storyteller,” are to hand. are full of good things literary and artistic, but pressure on my space makes detailed reference impossible. X must, however, specially commend to local Sliakespearians the finely illustrated article on “Tho Birds of Shakespeare,” which appears in the “Windsor.” It proves that the poet playwright must have been a very keen observer of bird-lifo.

I never tire of reading about “good Sir Walter ” and although Lockhart’s life of his famous father-in-law is fairly exhaustive there wa.s still room for a book just published, “Sir Walter Scott s Friends,” bv Mrs MacCunn. Mrs Mac-. Cunn tells, us that < William Erskine, 5 afterwards Lord Kennedy, was one of those who discouraged Scott by his lukewarm praise of the first canto of . the “Lay,” and that, it was he who was the friend whose lack of interest caused' “Waverley” to be laid aside < for ten years. James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, figures prominently in the book. No one was' more ready to recognise the unvarying goodness of Scott’s heart. “He was,” said the Shepherd, “the only one I ever knew whom no man. either poor or rich, held at ill-will.” Between Mrs Hogg and the great novelist there was a sincere friendship. , Tho last time (Hogg wrote) Mar- . garet saw him was at his own house in Maitland street. ... We were passing Charlotte square when I said, “See, yon is Sir Walter’s house at yon red lamp.” “Oh, let me_go in and see him once more/’ ™o, : no, Margaret,” said I; “you know how little time we have, and it would be too bad to intrude on his hours of quiet and study at this.time of dav.” “Oh, but X must go in.” said she, “and get a shake of his kind . honest hand once more.” So I was ... obliged to comply. In we went and. were (received with all the affection of old friends. . .

Mrs MacCium has many stories to toll of Scott’s acquaintance-with other poets, with Campbell. Crabbe, Moore, Byron, Wordsworth, and Southey. It was Leyden who introduced Campbell-to Scott,

and readers may remember _ how afterwards Scott found himself in a stagecoach with Campbell, the only other passenger. To beguile the time they repeated poetry to one another, and Scott asked Campbell for something of his own. Campbell then repeated "Hohenlimien.” When he had finished Scott broke in with: "But do you know that’s devilish fine? Why. it’s the finest thing you ever wrote, and must be printed/’ Scott’s relations to Campbell, however, were, as Mrs MaoCunn points out, "more cordial than, intimate.” Of Crabbe Sdott was a keen admirer. "There were no books on his shelves with which ho was more familiar, none more frequently read aloud in the family circle.” And in. one of the lucid intervals that ocI curred a week or two before his death : he said to Lockhart: "Read me some amusing thing—read me a bit of Crabbe.” Byron’s attitude towards Scott is, of course, well known, but Byron never was at’ Abbotsford, though he onco threatened to pay the novelist a visit. Blit Wordsworth visited Sir Walter, and it is pleasant to know that "Yarrow Uuvisited” was written "not without an eye to pleasing . Scott.”

Under the striking heading, "A Poisonous Book/' the '‘Spectator" (November 30th) prints one of the warmest articles I can ever remember reading. The book, which is attacked with all the heat of the/'Saturday Reviler" in the olden days when Mrs Lynn Linton and others were writing for it, is none other than Mr H. G. Wells's "Ann Veronica," to which several references have already been made in this column during the last few weeks. The "Spectator" admits that "Ann' Veronica" has not a coarse word in it, nor are the, "suggestive" passages open to any very severe criticism." The writer of the article then proceeds, however, as follows: — The loathing and indignation which

the book inspires in us are due *t°

the effect it is likely to have in undermining that sense of continence and self-control in the individual which is essential to a sound and healthy state. The book is based upon the negation of woman's punty and of man's good faith in the relations of sex. It teaches ns; in effect, that there is no such thing as_ woman's honour, or if there is. it is onlv to be a bulwark against a weak temptation. When the temptation is strong enough, not only is the tempted person justified in yielding, but such yielding becomes not merely inevitable but something to be welcomed and glorified. If an animal yearning or lust is only sufficiently absorbing, it is to be obeyed. Selfsacrifice is a dream and self-restraint a. delusion. Such things have no place in Mr Wells's imaginings. His is a community of scuffling stoats and ferrets, unenlightened by a ray

of duty or abnegation. Other passages in the article arc even stronger and harsher. Mr Wells's reply will bo awaited with some curiosity.

Which would you rather be called upon to provide with a name—a baby, .or. a book? For my own part, I am inclined to think that, if 6q«n cnoicej of difficulties . were presented . to me, Ij should take my courage in both hands■ and plump for the baby.—“ The Bookseller.“

This much can truthfully be said of the average book-buyer in Canada —he buys books for use . and not for ornament. —“Canadian Bookman.”

How many of us could tell off-hand who wrote the American “Star Spangled Banner”? It was, as a matter of fact, Francis Scott Key, in whose honour a memorial association has been formed in America. This association, has been^ able to trace the manuscript of the Star Spangled Banner”, and is anxious to be-, come possessed of it. It is owned by aj Baltimore lady who is naturally very, l proud of it» but it will probably be put ou exhibition either temporarly or per-! manently, as a national relic.