A LITERARY CORNER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7336, 14 January 1911, Page 9

A LITERARY CORNER

A BOOK OF THE DAY (BY "LIBEE.") A EADICAL M.P. ON INDIA / "The Awakening of India." By J. TC.-un-say Macdonald, M.P. London: Hodflcr anfl Stoughtou. Wellington: "Whircoinbo and Tombs, Lid. (Price 3s 6d.) The importance and value of Mr Macrlonald's description of modern India and Ins comment!) and criticisms upon the British administration of Indian affairs stand, ns compared to Mr Keir Hardie's recently published work, pretty much in the fame ratio as sold to pewter. Mr ITarriio simply railed and raved. Mr Macdonald argues quietly and with a fair approach to logical presentment of his case. He does not agree with, the traditional view that no one outside the "old Indian" class is justified in saying or writing a word about India and Indian, administration, but at least he is courteous to the other side, and has noneof that objectionable, combination, of selfcomplacency and impertinence which moved Kipling to tho' delineation of "Padg«tt, M.P." One could not wish for a more eloquent tribute to the British rule in India than that from which I quote the following passage:—

In the forefront of any impartial estimate of what Great Britain hat done for India must be benefits conferred. Tne -Nationalist movement may now challenge our occupation, an<i a stern judge will record many blemishes, out me lusioi-uul iact remains that England saved Inckn. Long oeiore tne Last Inula Company buiu a factory, tlie old inula was vamshuug, relic asunder by internal strne, crushed down oy foreign armies, we found not a Government but shifting camps, not rulers but captains 01 norsc. Conquercis were using and tailing liKo corn-staiiis when tne wind blows over tho neids, and there was apparently no end to these ups and downs. iho ilc-slem rulo hud broken Hindu autnonty; it in turn had been shattered; tno Mahratta ascendency never had a foundation. We came, and consolidation followed on our footsteps. Diversities of race and reliigion found liberty, and the spirit of a united India found rest to its harassed wings. "Under our protection India has enjoyed a recuperative- spirit. If we cannot say that our -rule has been a necessary factor in the development of Indian civilisation, we can say that in view of historical Indian conditions it has been a necessary evil. A foreign conqueror had to come, and 'no nation in the world, either .at that time or to-day, could have done the work nearly so well as -wo have done it. Be our mistakes what they may,-no alien rulers would have avoided them. Many of them could only have boon discovered after they were made. Great Britain, undergoing a most searching self-examina-tion and confessing as the result that the has committed many sins against ludia, need not accompany her confession with the shadow of an upology to the rest of the world.

British Guardianship. That Mr Macdonald warmly sympa-. thtees—within certain limitations—with the Nationalist movement can easily be perceived, by those who read but one' or two chapters of his book, but at the same time ho makes- it perfectly clear that Indian independence' is a dream, and, for the Indian people, a dangerously delusive dream. \Vhat Britain has got fche will hold. That is clearly the opinion of our Kadical M'.P. lor at least as many years as we. can look forward,

British, sovereignty will be necessary for India, for the warring elements in Indian life need a unifying and controlling power. Britain is the nurse of Iniiia. Deserted by her guardian, India, would be the prey of disruptive elements within herself as well as the victim of her own too enthusiastic • woishippers, tosay nothing of what would happen to her from incursions from the outside.

tt'bere is nothing in the above to suggest that Mr Macdonald is a follower of the "Perish India " school,, but as a matter of fact that school has practically ceased to exist. The great difference of opinion nowadays centres round ' the question, how India can be best preserved as a British possession. Mr Macdonald believes im greater individual liberty of political thought and action being given to the Indian people Coercion mast, he contends, always prove a. failure.

Coerced by her guardian, she will be an endless irritation and worry; consulted by her guardian, and given wide liberty to govern herself in all her internal affairs, she may present many difficulties and create many fears, but that is the only way to abiding peace and to the fulfilment of our work in India.

Four Generations of British Rule. But the British guardian must thoroughly understand and efficiently perform the duties of guardianship. As to the past Air Macdonald divides into four sections, those of four generations of Indian administrations.

The first generation of British rule was one of rest. The country was exhausted and required a breathing space and security. It found both under the East India Company. Tho second generation lived on the memories of the first, and the fruits of peace, chiefly education and a copying of the ways of the conqueror, bei;an to-ripen. The third was a generation advancing in Western ways and of governors contemplating with calmness a notional self-government as tho issue of their protective activity. All this time the rule was personal. Tho governors knew tho governed intimately—more particularly the ruling aud educated families of the country. Then the division came. The results of their education policy made the governors doubt, because it produced criticism, rivals, claim for equality. They fell back upon the uneducated mass, and the gulf between the old families, and tho educated people on the one hand and themselves on the other, widened. The two civilisations began, to crystallise apart. Tho Indian drew to himself his own elements, the Anglo-Indian drew to himself his elements. Tho Indian refused t 0 6how deference as of old (by leaving his carriage, for instance, at the outer gato and walking up the drive), whilst somo of our collectors have failed to receive visitors standing and others have not had tho manners to ask visitors to be seated. The English used to honour Hindu festivals in Bengal (just as the Maharajah of Gwalior keeps Christmas out of respect to the British); but that, I was told, is a thing of the past. The assumption of everybody who went to rule in India, used to bo that he would have to pick up what

languages were necessary to enable him to speak with the people. But the arrogance of theso modern days began to assume that that was quite unnecessary, "The- number of officers who spoke the vernaculars with any facility," said Lord Curzon, •'was very much smaller than fifty or twenty-fivo years ago, and tho number devoting themselves to anything like a serious study of the literature of the country was diminishing year by year.":

Efficiency and Prestige, For a Socialist Mr Macdonald is curiously insistent upon tho .supremo importance of individual efficiency. He wishes to see Indian atlairs occupy much more tune in tho British Parliament, and ho has evideiitlyadccp, almost apathetic faitli in what tho "State" can do, but ever and again he comes back to the personal equation. He does not sneer at tne Anglo-Indian civil servant or Indian military man as an extravagantly paid idler, as did Mr Keir liardie, but be does contend, and with fair supporv for his contention, that there has been of recent years a steady deterioration in the quality of European otficialdom. And not only this out there has been noticeable a decrease of tho old kindly feeling and personal sympathy towards the Indians. No douot there have been faults ou bath sides, but the fact Temains that the gulf between Kuropean and native has widened rather than- it has been narrowed. On tho subject of •"prestige" Mr Macdonald is very outspokeu :

Ono hears of prestige in official India until one is thoroughly sick of the word—good as it is in itself. . . . His (the official's) idea of prestige is that he must be allowed to do what he likes; that he must show the strong hand in government, and root rain, tho strong nerve and the kind heart as being weakening; that he must stand "no nonsense. ' He may be known to drink numerous whisky pigs in his club, and his general character may be shady. lie mav be known to be biased in his

juofgrnents a.nd to hold the "native" m contempt. But he does not consider that these things, tno subject of endless gossip and comment outside, have any lufiuenceou his "pres-

tige!" Mr Macdonald then proceeds to detail certain of the causes which impair, the prestige of the ruling race, and what he says docs not make very pleasant reading. Oii the whole, however, the tribute paid by the B adieu I M.P. to the general good conduct and. honest desire to do tneir duty, which characterises British officials in India, is very hearty. The Future. I have not space to spare to quote from Air Macdonald's lengthy and very careful analysis of the I>i atioualist Movement in all its various' forms, nor to do inoro than acknowledge the industry with which, it is evident, ho has studved the ever-increasing importance of Commercial India. The book is one to be read, and one in the reading of . which there canuot fail to be both pleasure and profit. Imperialists may meet with much.. to which they may take exception. On the other namd chey will probably be surprised to rind An- Macdonald disposing so ably, of that absurd myth, tne "arain," concerning which 60 much has been said by Mr Kcir Hardie and others. As to the future, Mr Macdonald admits that "the long years alone can disclose these secrets. The riddle is troublesome." But of ono thing is, he is apparently certain, and that is the intensity and permanence of an Indian National feeling, a feeling which, if wisoly guarded, may not necessarily be an anti-British feeling, but. a feeling which none the less is one which must be acknowledged and reckoned with. • I quote the last few sentences of a book which bears in its every chapter the impress of good faith, honesty and sincerity, a book which all who are inter-( ested in Indian pioblems should-not.fail to read:— • :

The impulses of Indian life will go on. They, will show themselves in Science, in Art, in Literature, in Politics*—in Agitation. We can Welcome them, or we caji try to retard them, and grudge them every triumph. If we are wise, wo shall do the former. We can. then help India and win her gratitude and her friendship. When she is rich, as she will be, she will remember the friend of her poverty.' When she is honoured for her own sake, as she will be she will remember the patron of her obscurity. But we cannot keep her back. Her Destiny is fixed abovo our will, a.nd we had better recognise it and bow to the Inevitable.

OLD FRIENDS IN-A NEW DRESS

"The Conscript." By Erckmann-Chat-rian. Illustrated by Lex de Renault. London: George Bell and Sons. Wellington: Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd. (Price 3s 6d.)

I am glad to welcome a new edition of Erckmann-Chatrian's fine story, "The Conscript," for it was one of the literary delights of my youth. The collaboration, of the two Alsatian authors resulted in a long succession of stories of the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic wars, together with some very delightful studies of peasant life—veritable prose pastorales—iu their native province. Two of their stories, "Lo Juif Polonais" and "L'Ami Fritz," were successfully dramatised. Irving, it may be remembered, made his first great-hit as Matthias, the innkeeper, in "The Bells," an . English adaptation, by Leopold Lewis, of the first-named story. The first edition of "The Conscript"—the full title is "The History of a Conscript of A lßl3"—appeared iu 1861, and the first English translation in ISG4. Of the • two authors, Chatriau died in 1S!M), and Erckiuann in 1898. The latter was bauished from Alsace by the Germans and died at Luneville, just across the Flench frontier. Of the military novels of ErckinaiuiChatrian "The Conscript" is one of the best. It describes war from the point of view of a young conscript, who, at the .time war breaUs out with Austria and Russia, is serving his apprenticeship with a watchmaker at Plialsburg. He is slightly lame, and draws, too, a fairly "good" number, but Napoleon is hard put to find soldiers, the loujj wars having drained the' couutry of every available man, and so poor Joseph has to go. ; The story of nis campaigning is told with a simple directness which is, most fascinating. It ends with thoi zero's return to Alsace, tho Emperor 1 having been sent to Elba, and France having once again a Bourbon ruler, and his marriage to the daughter of his kind old master, Melchior Goulden. A special and most admirable feature of the present edition is the excellence of the illustrations by a French artist, Lex de Renault. In addition to eight fullpage plates in colour, a number of line illustrations in black and white are scattered through the volume. Some depict Alsatian and others military scenes, aud all are most spiritedly drawn. The end papers, which depict a strenuous combat for tho possession of a bridige, are most artistic. Printed from new bold type and tastefully bound, this is a model edition in which to possess an old favourite. It is to be hoped that the publishers may be encouraged to issue the sequel, '"Waterloo." and others of these admirable stories with which, I so many readers of the younger generation are unacquainted. :

"The Brownies and Other Tales." By Juliana Horatia Ewing. Illustrated by Alice Woodward. London: Bell and Sons. Wellington: Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd. (Price '2s 6d.)

To their "Queen's Treasures" series Messrs Bells have now added another of Mrs Ewing's delightful stories for young people, which, when they were first published, in tho Victorian seventies, with illustrations by the late Randolph Caldecott, were so "widely popular. "Tlie Brownies and Other Tales" is the title of the latest volume in this series, the illustrations to which arc so specially charming, in the present volume the illustrations are by Miss Alice Woodward, who, in quaintness and originality of fancy, is a formidable rival to Arthur Kackham. Tho pictures are executed in facsimile of tho original water-colour drawings, the colouring being most delicate. With' its special end papers and tasteful cover design, admirably in keeping' with tho title, this is a. most der Ugntful little volume. A LITERARY LETTER (BY "LIBEE.-) The Gaskell Revival. Owing, no doubt, to the recent celebration of the Gaskell Centenary several new editions of the works of a hitherto much-neglerted Victorian novelist have been issued. One specially attractive edition is published by George Bell and Sons, who send me, throxigii Whitcombe and Tombs, a copy of Mrs Ciaskell's powerful story, "Syivia's Lovers. ' Many people only Know Mrs Ga.->kell as the author of "Crauford," that charming series of sketches of Lfe in a quiet country town. The original of -OiMiu'ord" was, by tlie way,, the quaint old Cheshire town of Knutsiord. But Mrs Gaskell wrote four novels at least, which all display exceptional literary power. 1 reier to "Sylvia's Lovers," "..lary Barton," "North and South," and "Wives and Daughters." Of these 1 shall always place "Sylvia's Loveis" first. The scene is the picturesque old bfoiicshii-e sea port, Whitby (the "Monkshaven" of the novel), and much of tlio story's interest is derived from the fact that it gives a very faithful view of life in the days when the press gang flourished. It has been described as "an Aukl Kobin Gray or Enoch Arde-n type, of story," but its vigour, its dry humour, and its essentially homely directness are undeniable. To the present edition Mr- Seccombe contributes a biographical and critical essay on Mrs Gaskell and her work, and Miss M. V. Wheelhouse adds some excellent illustrations in colour. The eud papers, also from drawings by Miss Wheelhouse, would have delighted the late George Du Manner, who was so fond of depicting Whitby life in "Punch." One shows a crowd of fish wives on. the quay, with the fine old ruins of St. Hilda's Abbey in the distance, and the other gives an equally picturesque view of the harbour, with the long row of steps leading up to the castle which is so prominent a feature in all views of the quaint old seaport. The price of the volume is only three and sixpence, which is surprisingly low considsring its many attractions, both literary and artistic. Robert W. Service. Robert Service, the young Canadian bank clerk, whose "Songs of" a Sourdough" and "Ballads of a Cheechako" have been so widely quoted, has resigned his official position at "Dawson City on the Klondike, and is now residing

in. Toronto. He has written'a novel,; The Trail of Ninety-Eight," which isi to be published, very shortlv. It dealsl with the strenuous life led "by the pioneers of the Yukon goldfiokls. The Cambridoe Mediaeval History. Tho last volume of the Cambridge Modern History, a valuable but curiously unequal work, has now been, pub-i lished. The Cambridge University Press' has now undertaken to publish a work ou similar lines, but dealing with mediaeval history. The general plan of the work has been laid down by Professor J. B. Bury, Lord Acton's successor as Regius Professor of Modern History. The editors will be tho Rev. 11. M. Gwatkin Dixie, Professor ot Ecclesiastical History at Cambridge, and the Rev. J. P. Whitney, Professor of Ecclesiastical History m King's College, London. France, Germany, America, Spain, Italy, Russia, and Hungary aio represented in- the list of contributors added .to the English specialists who are giving their assistance. The first volume, which deals with the period of the Fall of the Roman Empire in the West, will be ready about next Easter, with contributions by Professor Gwatkiu, Dv J. S. Eeid, Principal Lindsay, Dr Martin Bang, Dr M. Manitius, Dr Ludwig Schmidt, Professor Ch. Pfister, Professor F. J. Haverfield, Professor Maurice Dumoulin, Miss Gardner, Dom E. C. Butler, Professor P. Vinogradoff, tho Rev. 11. F. Stewart, W. R. Lethaby, aind others. It is hoped to complete the work at the rate of two volumes a year, to be published in chronological order. A full bibliography will be added to each chapter aud,' where necessary, footnotes to the text are to bo admitted. With each volume wilt also be published a portfolio of illusti-a, tive maps specially prepared for the new work. Modern Religious Problems. Readers who are interested in religious, ethical, and philosophical subjects can make themselves acquainted nowadays with some of the world's masterpieces at a very low expenditure. To "Religions, Ancient and Modern," published by Constables, I have alluded on more than ono occasion, and the attention of my readers has been drawn also to Constable's admirable series entitled "Philosophies, Ancient and Modern," two of tho latest additions to which, volumes on Nietsche and Swedenborg, were recently reviewed in these columns. The same firm of publishers have now embarked upon a new enterprise), being responsible for an entirely new series of brief but distinctly concise and handy ;manuals dealing with the leading ques-fc-.ji« tint assail the Christian Church i of to-day. The general title of the series, j the volumes composing which are pub-1 lished at a shilling each, is "Modern

I Religious Problems." The four first voli.nmcs are entitled respectively "The Gosi 'pel of Jesus, the: Son of God," an inter-■lpri-tation tor tho modern man, by George. 'William' Knox; "Sin and its Forgiveness," by William De. Witt Hyde; "The Earliest Sources for the Life of. Jesus." -by P. Crawford. Burkitt, M.A., D.D., LNori'isiau Professor of Divinity in the •.University of Cambridge (this is an exceptionally interesting shiiiingsworth of! LiDlical criticism); and "Paul and Paul-' 'liiiism," by James Moifatt, M.D. In his' general introduction, which' appears in ■ Ithe first-named of the above-mentioned ivoiumes, Dr "Vernon, the editor-in-chief (of the series, states that "these books, are writtcx in the utmost hospitality: ,'for all modern, natural and psychologi-i |eal and Biblical science, with tne desire. lot" making clear .to the average intelligent and religious man that wis great, 'religious crisis may be passed through, as sorely and bravely 'an others havoi been. . .*. The editor lias sought to enlist men of high scholarship, of earnest religious feeling, out of openness of mind in this endeavour to set forth the; leading ideas and convictions of modern [liberal scholarship." The Original of Sergeant'Buzfuz. j In "T.P.'s Magazine" for December, John O'London gives, as an illustration Ito his "Sign of the Lamp" causerie, a new portrait of Sergeant Bompas, who was the original cf that larnous" bulls 1 lof the bar, Sergeant Buzfuz, who was briefed by Messrs Dodson-and I'ogg to appear for Mrs Bardell. Sergeant JJom■pas was, it appears, the father of the [late Mr Justice Bompas, who was wont 'to declare with pride that his parent was the original of' Dickens's lamous creation..

Strajf Leaves. Sir Lewis Michell, whose biography of Cecil Rhodes is one of the' books of the season, was nt one time manager of the Standard Lank of South Atrial. Ho is one of the Khodes Trustees and a leading personality at the Cape. Macmillaus are publishing an illustrated volume uf "Memories and Impressions of- Helena Modjeska," wlio was born in Poland, but who was chielly successful oh the American stage. Macmillaus have issued a shilling edition of Sir George Trcvelyan's fine historical study, "Cawnpore." Another good reprint, iu the same series, is Mitioid's "Tales of Old Japan." The author is now Lord Hedesdale. This is one of tlie oldest, and still, to my mind. the best ot all books on old Japan. iV.uik Harris, the clever English journalist, whose "'Shakespeare tile Man" was so severely criticised, has written a play, "Shakespeare and His Love' - (I'aimer, ,2s UaJ. lie paints Shakespeare as a man of 'peculiarly amatory feelings. H,s rival is a. young fop, Loid William. Herbert, and tlie heroine is "a blackhaired bold nussey (called Mary I'ultonL who knows her gains wnen sue .sees it, and takes from each man what he can give her." There are four acts and an epilogue. The characters number twenty - lour m all.

A new series of "Etudes et Portraits," by Paul Bourget, is announced. Yet another addition to the already long series of Maspero books on iigyptian antiquities is published by Unwin. Tlie title is "Egypt: Ancient bites and Modern Scenes."

A new "Napoleon book"—will ever there be an end to the making of Napoleon books? —is Mr Norwood Young's 'The Growth, of Napoleon, a Study in Environment." Mr Young deals specially with Napoleon's carJier life, up to tho time, of his entry in Milan, in 1796, under the Directory. Les Jnrdins dc Paris," by Harms and Ary Lebland, is the latest French novel to be "crowned" by tho Academie Goncourt, of which Madame Judith Gautier was recently elected a member. It is a sequel to the same author's "En France."

The new volume in the continuation of Herbert Spencer's Descriptive. Sociology is Chinese. It has been, compiled on -the plan organised by Spencer, by the'*British Consul at Poochow. .'■

"The Dop Doctor" still sells well. It is now in a ninth edition. The secret of the authorship remains a secret.

.Volumes dealing with Thackeray, Dic,kens, and- 80-bert Louis Stevenson have ,been added to Rodder's wonderfully cheap series (Is 6d), entitled "Days with Authors."

Edward Xoble, whose powerful stories lof the, sea have attracted much attention, has a new story out with. Conistabies. The, title is "Chains." The jfceene is laid, in a South American city. "The Times" says: "The kernel of tne book is a vivid and terrible picture of the 'white slave' business.'.'' Mr iSoble's iSin-cervty is unquestionable, but,' adds

"'The Times," "the book is not, of 'course, one for the young person." The edition of ■ "Petronius," . for which iNornian Lindsay drew TOO illustrations, is. priced at £o. It is published privately.

■ General lan,Hamilton's "Compulsory Service," a study of the question in the light of experience, is published by John Sum-ay. Price lis 6d. 'Mi Haldane contributes an introduction.

Yet another complete edition of the jWaverley Novels is published, this time >by the- liduoationa'l Books Company. A (special feature is that the 'publishers have gathered, together no fewer than EiOJ illustrations by 200 artists. .Haydn's Dictionary of Dates has been .brought up-to-date, or, at least, to I'JIO. ''lt is still a valuable work ot reierence, . but liazell and \\ hittaker' are required to supplement its information.

O'Henry's last book, 'published before ho died, was entitled "Strictly Busiinoss." It is to have a. successor, a. collection of stories found amongst the deceased author's papers. 'The title will (be "Whirligigs." 'Miss Braddon's last novel, "The Conflict," brings her "record", up to fiftj-' /eight separate novels. . Her publishers .allege that three aud a half million cop'ies of her novels have been sold in'the cheap edition alone. Hall Caiue . and Marie Corel!i must be green with envy. Books on,, Indian problems are quite numerous just n-ow. , .Within a couple of months.have been published Eamsay Macdonald's "Awakening of India," Valentine Chirol's "Unrest in India," and "Modern India/' by Sir J. D. Hees. A book of special interest to students of Polynesian mythology' and customs is ."The Island of Stone Money" (Uap of the Carolines), by \V. H. kumiss.. It will be remembered that Mr E. 31. B. Christian wrote an excellent-work on the Carolines some ten years ago. _ In Blackwood's . for December is-flie first instalment of a.-very remarkable poetical work, by Alfred Noyes, "Tales of the Mermaid Tavern;" I hope to give some extracts in. next week's issue. . . " -. ; . ', '

One good feature about the "Cornhill" is tho special attention paid to purely literary subjects. A new attraction to commence in the January issue is* a sei'ies of literary competitions. Fifty years ago Calveriey ,set an. historic examination paper in "Pickwick," the prizes being won by Professor Skeatand Walter Besant. To-day "Q." will set a paper on Stevenson; Owen. Seaman ouo on Browning; E. V. Lucas on Charles iamb; and Andrew Lang on Scott. Tho papers—and tho answersshould he productive of some excellent lun.

Kose lvmgsley (Charles Kingslev's daughter), whose book of African travel made such a hit a few years back, has written what is said to be a very charming book on French countrv life. The titlo is "In the Jlhone Country." I am glad to notice that Thomas Hardy s fine Napoleonic drama, "The Dvnasts," which in its original form fills three volumes, is to be re-issued by Hacmillans m a single volume.