A LITERARY CORNER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9598, 2 March 1917, Page 6

A LITERARY CORNER

(R.A.L.) “THE HALF PRIEST.” Hamilton Drummond. (Stanley, Paul and Co., London.) Caesar Borgia, whose character and career has done more for romance than any other character in history, provides Mr Drummond’s story with both its inspiration and its “Deus ex machine.” Set in a period of murder, of magnificence, in a web of complicated intrigues, embracing, many small States, the story is 'naturally full of adventure—a turbulent river of narrative, flowing over rocks of adventure, to which dramatic point is given by the wit and courage of men hardened by battle and intrigue, accustomed to sudden death, cruelties, and violence.

The materials are rich—a beautiful woman of high character married to a vicious, scheming Duke; a number oi States inhabited each by a fierce, independent people; Die genius of Borgia, campaigning for the unity of Itajv; scruples on all sides cast to the ivin&s—and they are used to the utmost.

Three scenes of assassination —one of attempt and two of accomplishment, in the brilliant style of Dumas; two of justice, done with the remorseless rigour of Victor Hugo’s tragedies, and many scenes of clever plot and cleverer counter-plot make the attraction of the standard of the romance which carries the reader forward in' a rush of absorbing fascination. “A MAX’S WORK.” Silas Hocking. (S. and W. Mackay, Wellington. From Ward, Lock and Co., 212, Little Lonsdale street, Melbourne.) There are “four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.” The pie is the last addition, 24 chapters, to the large collection of Silas Hocking’s works, the frequent additions to which do not seem to weary the veteran storyteller, or turn him from his purpose, which is to write with a purpose. That purpose, to prove that

I if you dove virtue and “if virfcub.fceblo were, Heaven itself would stoqp to her.” To he worthy, you must',work, and the work must; be real work, and worthy of a man’s dignity 1 and strength, or a woman’s power of'softness, unselfish and ambitious for good. Hocking in developing his story* on those lines, carries the work of the Pulpit on through the wildernesses’, of week days, with a story that is Well worth reading for itself. Being well constructed and well told and full of incident, rising occasionally to. scenes of dramatic effect, what else could it be ? : “HIS ONE TALENT.” Harold Bindloss. (S. and W. Macfcay, Wellington. From Ward, Lock ant) Co., Melbourne.) **) This author knows his Central America like a book, is familiar with the Englishmen who live in those) parte, with wealth and treachery running races in the languid,, tropical heats for their lives. He can tell you all about their courage, their enterprise, the special spirit possessed by these Britishers who are of the breed that baa built the 'Empire by calmly taking every risk that comes from storm and fever and Dagoes. This, his latest excursion into that region, •' among these folk, has to do with the strong young men who put down treachery and build up railways, finding time, on account of the splendid young women of their race, who have to accompany their fathers (who are not always the O.K. thing) to marry and give in marriage. Bindloss, as usual, really makes you enjoy tropical life without the mosquitoes or the fevers or the morbidities. And tropical life, with its wealth of colour and teeming life, its remarkable sunsets and daydawns, is very enjoyable under such circumstance;:.