LITERATURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14245, 20 June 1908, Page 13

LITERATURE.

Special Reviews, and Gleanings from Yarious Sources,

POLLUTED POLITICS*

'AN ALLITERATIVE AMERICAN. The curious conceit of Mr Winston Churchill (the American' Winston Churchill we moan, not the ncwly-ap-•'siiitfid president of tho British Hoard of Trade, who sung the "Miserere" at Manchester, but is now the darling of Dundee) in respect of the letter C has already been commented on in these columns. It may not be amiss, however, to repeat the paragraph in which the New fork Bookman called attention to the folowing facts: —

The recurrence of the letter C as the initial letter in tie names of Mr Churchill's books has ceased to be a mere coincidence. Look at the list. " The Celebrity," " Richard Carvel," "The Crisis," "Tho Craving," "Coniston." In addition to which it may be pointed out that the magazine with which the novelist was connected before the appearance of " The Celebrity" was "The Cosmopolitan," that his club is "Tho Century," that his homo is at Cornish, and his official

address at Concord. He should properly have been a graduate of Cornell. Columbia, or Colgate, but instead lie chose the United States Naval Academy.

It is therefore quite in line with his alliterative fancy that the name of Mr Winston Churchill's new novel which has just reached us for review should prove to be "Mr Crewe's Career." And by way of introducing otir subject we will take yet another paragraph from the same source as before. In the April number of the New York Bookman, accompanying a full-page portrait of the man. who stands iit tho front rank jf American fiction to-day, occurs the following :—

Wo do' not know that Mr Winston Churchill has ever avowed an ambition to become the American Balzac, but.there is a curious symmetry in his .literary. career which suggests tho possibility of a, far-reaching plan. Beginning with "Richard Carvel," he evidently set himself to the representation of certain important epochs in American history. " The Crisis," dealing with the period of the Civil War; and 'The Crossing,' whioh pictured the Westward development of the United States, completed a triolgy which fairly represented the most important movements in the first 100 years of our history ns a natiop. This was in itself a "K'beme of some magnitude, but Mr Churchill followed it np with " Coniston,*" in which ho set forth a typical example of tlie political development of the country immediately after the Civil War. ' Up to this point he had never -dealt with a strictly modem theme except in his first book, "The Celebrity," which was, so' to speak, a mere by-prodnct, and bad no special relation with the rest of his work.

Now comes the news that his new book, "Mr Crewe's Career," is a story of the present day, and has for its background tlie political life of a gene ration succeeding that of " Coniston." Primarily, of course, it is a story of

character, as all of Mr Churchill's books have been, and the "love interest " is said to have received rather more attention than in 6ome of his earlier novels. But, secondarily, "Mr Crewe's Career" is said to be an exposition .of tho political game as it is played ' to-day. Without doubt Mr Churchill, who is of an observing turn of mind, has found plenty of material in his own experience as a candidate for the Governorship of New Hampshire. • The fact, that he is receiving his share of abuse in certain New England newspapers indicates that he has fairly qualified as a political exi>erL, and that he has become a factor in the

politics of his State. If only he was "let himself go" in his new'book, "Mr

Crewe's Career" may be expected to furnish an amount of amusement and instruction greater than that afforded

by any of l.is stories of the past.

This introduction is necessary since it explains what at first perusal may strike tho reader a 6 a, disappointing feature of the book, which is dedicated •'' To the Men who in Every State in the Union are engaged in the Struggle for Purer Polities." Written and conceived entirely from the American point of view "Mr Carew's Career" is not likely to attract the average novel reader'in the sense that Mr Churchill's earlier books have done. But for the student ot American affairs, who desires a first hand and vividly painted picture of the present political situation in the States, we venture to think that this novel will be found) extraordinarily interesting. And following to some extent in the footsteps of Mr Upton Sinclair, it may be questioned whether Mr Churchill has' not entered the political arena with the express purpose of gathering authentic material for his latest novel.

The story, apart- from the political background, is a simple one. The New Kng-_ land State, in which the scenes of the book are laid, tho identical State where in former days Jcthro Bass ruled supreme —is dominated by the United North Eastern railroads, called by tho inhabitants "railrad" for 6hort. For this powerful corporation the Hon. Hilary Vane is leading counsel and right hand man to Mr Augustus P. Flint, the president of the railroad, and the lineal descendant of the Mr Isaac Worthington, who figured so prominently, in "Coniston." Tlie Hon. Hilary has a son, one Austen Vane, a splendid specimen of the American of the rising generation, and who is instinctively opposed to the dubious' practice and ' corrupt methods by which the railroad, thanks to tho skill and acumen of his father, retains its rule over the State. Mr Flint has a charming daughter, named Victoria, who, as she grows to womanhood, begins to have her doubts as to the correctness and morality of her father's actions in his official capacity as railroad president. Of course Austen and Victoria fall in love, but keep their affection under control, restrained! from free expression owing to their growing connections concerning the way in which their respect! v.fathers make their - monoy. ■

Hostilities commence as soon as Austen, who has followed his faih-.r's profession and qualified as a lawyer, refuses to accept the usual retainer in the form of a free railway pass which the North Eastern always sends to every rising young counsel, with a view of preventing any opponent from obtaining skilful legal advice. Austin takes up cases against the railroad, and the relations between him and bis father become strained almost to breaking point. Victoria also incurs her father's displeasure bv her open expressions, ol sympathy with Austen. Mr Carew is a millionaire who determines to take up politics as a hobby, and encounters many strange surprises in the process, imbued with the idea that he Jus only to desire a thing to obtain it, ho finds that his success in the political •world depends more upon tho opening of his puree strings than upon any measure of personal popularity. At first' patronised) «nd patted on the'back by the railroad is enters the State legislature, but find «» himself fooled by the coterie who affect to°patronise him he proves to be not such a fool as he seems, and .in dramatic fashion turns the tables on Messrs Flint, Vane, and Company. He then decides to run for the State governorship in opposition to the railroad candidate, and one of the mast exciting chapters in the book is that ..describing the nomination contest, which 'ends in a victory for the railroads. In the end the Hon. Hilary resigns his connection with the railroad, and) the book closes with the sound of wedding bells in the distance, and with Austen and Victoria supremely happy.

*" Mr Crewe's Career," by Winston Churchill. New York: The MacuuT.an Con> pany. Dunedin: It. J. Staik said Co., J. Braithwdte, and Whitecoiuk and Tombs. i?l tCd.j

Wc miss in "Mr Catew's Career" the commanding personality of a man like Jctliro li.iis, which rendered " Coniston ".' so supremely interesting tc readers who wearied of the intricate details of an American political contest. For, while, needless to say, each of tho characters in "Mr Carew's Career" is drawn by a master hand, every' detail of temperament and popularity being faithfully etched in, yet the nwn are subservient to the- background, and Austen and Victoria, as hero

and heroine are unsatisfying. In " Collision," too, there is a pathos in the endeavour of the old man Jethro to retain the confidence and love of Cynthia Ware, which is only faintly reproduced in the Hon. Hilary's admiration for tho moral outspokenness of his son Auaten. There is no climax in the plot, for, although we soem to see tho downfall of the railroad, and the end of its domination in the distance, and catch the mutterings of the storm which the awakening of the jreople will bring about, yet in reality Mr Flint still sits in the seat of authority. Hut this, of course, is one of tho penalties of dealing., .with present-day history, tho novelist naturally fears to go in advance of events.

Neither can novelty be claimed) for the plot. Mr William Sage has portrayed t almost exactly the same condition of things ■* in "The District Attorney" and "Bv 1 Right Divine," but although Mr Sage can tell a good story and tell it well, he lacks the iinished touch which betrays the ' master hand of Mr Winston Churchill. 1 And the late Frank Nonis in " The Octo- i pus" painted the same picture of the ruin ] and devastation, which falls upon a farm- ; ing community so soon as a wealthy rail- j way corporation holds the government of ! the Stato in its hands. But Mr Winston i Churchill does not descend to the melodramatic effects which marred Mr Norris's ', work. The moral of the book is writ large in the upnising of the younger generation of the American people against the corruption ill politics which had too long held their fathers in thiall. And if it be a faithful picture of America as it is to-day, and if there really is growing up a public sentiment, which prefers honesty and righteousness to doubtful and eaay methods of amassing material wealth, then a brighter day is dawning for a nation whoso polluted politics have long been a disgrace to democracy. Certainly "Mr Carew's Career" is a book to be read; all who followed intelligently tho political career of Jetliro Bass in " Coniston'' will not rest content until they pursue "Mr Carew's Career" to the end. And the satisfied) fiction slave, weary of problem novels of the fleshly type, will find in Mr Winston Churchill's pages sufficient purity of atmosphere and masculine and feminine.virility to waft a refreshing breath of wholesome air mto tho exotic environment of hot house morbidity affected by some writers of to-day. IWSIKGS liV BOOKLAND Br Constant Read-ERt-v Times without number have I lamented the sorrowful fact that I was born south of the Tweed; tho advantage of being a Scotchman have so often been impressed upon my mind tint this lament of a Londoner is excusable. It is and ever must be difficult for an Englishman to rightly appreciate a Scotchman—Doctor John-' son is a case in point—and so much that' is best and brightest in the world of literature and in the world of affairs hails from some part or other of Scotland. Ono of the few centenaries which mark the year 1908' occurred this week, the subject being a notable Scotchman, none other than James Frederick Ferrier, "born on the 16th day of June, 1808, at Heriot Row, in the new town of Edinburgh." I have to confess that until a few days ago Ferrier was but a> name to me and little more. I know him as ■the author of "The Institutes of Mctaphysic" and of "Lectures on Greek Philosophy." now 1 thanks to two ov three books I hail him a charming personality, a delightful companion. Herein is one of the wonders of Bookland; despite the separation enforced by time and space, one's list of acquaintances is ever on the increase, the society is of the choicest, and there is no check or restraint to the closest and mest cherished intimacy. , Alas! alas! for a fly in the ointment; I have been compelled to borrow several of the books in which I have been " Browsing," simply because they were not otherwise obtainable. Unmoral as is the sentiment, I should cease to grieve were it ' possible to steal the volumes—since they are not to.'vbe .purchased in Dunedin — but to have to give them back to their owners after having gleaned from their pages much that is pleasurable and profitable will cost me a severe pang. Thus it is that I am always inclined to make excuses for the great multitude who, having taken books from my shelves, omit to bring them back. I hope, however, on this occasion to rise superior to every temptation, for I am virtuously determined to return my borrowings, unless any of the owners feels inclined to be generous. The first is a volume in the "Famous -Scotis Series," a ' brightly - written nttle biography of James 'Frederick Ferrier, by Miss ft, g, B.aklane, Bister of 'the Right Hon. R. B. naklaaie, Secretary of War, and perhaps the only member of the Asquith Cabinet who is a. student of Schopenhauer, and, unlike Mr Asquith, an ardent advocate of the Woman's Franchise. Mr Haldane contributes an introduction to his sister's little book, giving as reason that he is old enough to have had the privilege of knowing some of those who were most closely associated with Ferrier. And from this "introduction I take tho following few woids: — When I sat in at the feet of Professor Campbell Eraser in tho Metaphysics class room at Edinburgh, in 1975, FoTfiet's writings were being much read by us students. The influence of Sir William Hamilton was fast crumbling in the minds of young men who felt rather than saw that much lay beyond it. Wc were still engrossed with the controversy waged in books which, now, alas, sell lor a tenth of their former price, about the Conditioned and Unconditioned. . It was not merely that Ferrier had written books. He had died more than fen. years earlier, but his personality was still a living influence. Echoes of his words came to us through Grant and Sellar. . . . Those days are over, and with thorn has passed away much of what stimulated one to read' in the "Institutes," or the "Philosophical Remains." . . . But for the . historian, of British philosophy, Ferrier continues a.s a prominent figure. He it was who first did what .Stirling and Green did again at a stage later on— made a serious appeal to thoughtful people to follow no longer the shallow rivulet down which the teaching of tho greini German thinkers had tricked to them, but to seek the sources. . _ ■ But even for others than the historians of the movement of thought, the books oi Ferrier remain attractive. There is about them a certain atmosphere in which everything seems alive and fresh. Their author was no dry-as-dugt, he was a living human being, _-»i>ubled as we are . troubled, and interested in the things which iivtere>t us. He spoke to us, not from the skies, but from among the ciowd of his fellow kings, and we feel that he was one of ourselves. As such it is good that a memorial of him should be placed where it may easily be seen, The mention by Mr Haldane of the name of ProfessorSellar reminds me that I have been credibly informed that Mrs Sellars "Reminiscences," published some ' months ago, contain a "great deal of interesting information relative to Professor Ferrier. Unfortunately I have not 1 been able to borrow the " Reroinisi i.ices" ; •there is a copy in the Athenamm, but tihe ' aggravating paint about Atnemeum bool;s is that five times out of-six the .particular

volume you need is "out." Mill Hiss Hiildano's 'brief biography is admirable and appicciative, giving one a capital, conception of the man whom De Qui nay characterised an " one of the subtlest

intellects in modern speculation." The reference is to he found in Be Quincey's sketch of Professor Wilson, the " Christopher North," of immortal memory, whose (laughter Ferrier married. Tliis mention of He Quincey leads directly to another interesting cirewmstanee. It was in 1808, or exactly 100 years ago, that Wilson, then a lad of 18, conceived a scheme for penetrating into Central Africa, visiting the city of Timbuctoo, and solving (if it were possible) the great outstanding problem of the source of the Nile. "In this Buheme," 1 am quoting from Be Quihcey, " he was so good as to associate myself as one of his travelling companions, together with an earlier friend of his own—an Englishman of a- philosophical turn' of mind, with whom he had been a fellow student at Glasgow,—and we wore certainly, all three of ns, of an age arid character to have enjoyed the expedition in the very highest degree." Here I am tempted to let my imagination stray for a moment ana ponder as to the effect upon literary life in Edinburgh, and incidentally upon the English speaking world, had " Christopher North " and the " English Opium Eater" prematurely ended their days in. a search for the source of tho Nile. It is questionable whether "Maga" would ewr have attained its enormous .popularity; it ds certain that Edinburgh would never have been stirred with the sensation, of the Chaldee Manuscript, while the "Nodes Ambrosianae" would have been shorn of at least half their humour and interest.

For if the question "What's a Noctes withoulen the Shepherd?" is amply justified, there can be little doubt of the soundness of the remark made by Mr J. H. Millar, in his introduction to the handy abridgement of the "Noctes," which Messrß Eoutledge have recently added to their New Universal Library, and which contains part of Professor Pernor's preface. Speaking of Professor Wilson, Mr Millar says; —

In course of time he became the admitted representative of the literary glories of the Scottish capital. But nowhere doea he show to such advantage— nowhere- does his peculiar genius find so suitablo an outlet—as in his contributions to " Maga " in the character of "Christopher North," and most of all in the "The great charm of conversation," as the Shepherd observes, " is being aft' on ony wind that Maws'" and the great recommendation of the " Noctes," horn Wilson's poiiit of view, was that in them his discursiveness had full play. He could set down whatever came ' into his head, and, though lie may have had to rack his brains for ideas with the magazine on the evo of going to press and the printer's boy wailing fur copy in the lobby of 6 Gloucester, place, there is about the Noctes a general air of freshness, of freedom from the sense of effort and fatigue, wliioh is absolutely invaluable in such compositions. . . *. If the true object of literature be the proclamation of new gospels, the "Nooks," in common with many other and greater works, must be allowed to fall short of it, and ha<l consequently belter be left alone by all who wmihi rejoice to be described as the "serious" and "thoughtful." To those, on the other hand, who care for literature as literature the "Noctes" would seem to present a truly bountiful repast.

That great authority on Napoleonic literature, Mr Oscar Browning, in Iris preface to Mr Alexander L. Kiolland's

"Napoleon's Men and Methods," remarks that _at the present time there is no individual about wlwm more is written in all languages and in all branches of' literature -than Napoleon. And Mr Browning a>dds: "The more we know about him the more we admire Mm, the more reasonable <lo liis notions appear, the Jess well-founded the dories which are tokl to his discredit." My admiration _ for Napoleon—always great—lias certainly hvereaMd since I learned that a. certain bulletin issued by him in 1808 'had the effect ofhindering the excursion projected by Wilson and,De Quincey to Timbuotoo. This mis the time when the name and fame of Nupoleeii Bona.paaie lay like a nightmare over Europe, n.nd when, owing I<> the timidity of Sir John Jloore, English travellers away from their nwt,iye._ country were in apparent danger of loving their heads. De Quincey, referring to Napoleon's bulletin, gays: "In this bulletin Bonapiwlc proclaimed with a corslcas air, bu!t making at the same time somewihat a- Boast of it, that, having happened to meat a party of sixteen British travellers-persons of whom he had ascertained nothing at all but that they did not bear a military character,— • lie ..-,m issued a summary order that they should oil be strung up without te of time by the neck.". But I wall lot De Quincey coniinuo the story:

An event socn occurred in Mr 1 Wilson's life which made it a, duty to diemiss for ever all travelling schemes which were connected with so much hazard as this. The fierce acharmuent of Bonaparte so pointedly directed to everything EngJidi. and the prcstrat: «i of the Continent, wliich had enabled him absolutely to eeal every port of. Europe against an Jinglishniam—who could now no longer stray a mile beyond tha range of the gune of the ship ulhieh brought him to the shore without the certainty of being awaited as a ■''J 1 )') - *'" 8 unheard-of com.,ition of •things had at length compelled all Engfeh gemtknien to reconcile for the present to tha bounds of their own island, and accordingly, in the spring of 1809, we three unilKinged friends had entirely weaned out minds from the travelling Bcheane which.lad so completely occupied our thoughts in 1808.

I am wandering sadly from my subiect, yet' I mu* foe allowed •another slight diveiuiion. The mention of " Tlm'buetoo " recalls the fact tiliiut this was the title of tiho composition with which Alfred Tennyson, when one of the Cambridge Apostles, won the prize medal for his poem, in Wank voree. It was Matthew Arnold wlio told G. L. Craik that- when as a. youth he wad "Timbuctoo" he prophesied the greatness of Tennyson. The poem, for tihe edification 'of the curious, is published in full in Macmilkn p new annotated edition of ToTievson's poems. But to come back to Sorrier; in the " Memoir " is a recwd of a lector which was Kent to Tennyson covering a . oopy of the " Institutes of Metaphyrac," and which runs as follows : —

St. Andrews, December 17, 1854. Dear Sir,—You were among the first to whom my lx>ok wne to he gent, ami 1 suppe«d tilial you received- it .some six weeks ngo. ' Possibly Blackwood did not- know your address, and therefore sent it to your publisher. If anything strikes you na inconsecutive in the reasoning you will do mo a favour by pointing it out. One eminent, authority ha* given it as his opinion that there is a iron ecquitnr m the paeeage from Prop. I to Prop. 11. To mo this seams odd, I esteem it a high honour f-o have now made your acquaintance, and a great privilege to bo allcJivcd to subscribe myself, very trulv y°"I8, ' P. FKRRIKH. '

There is evidence tjiat Feirior. unlike Darwin, was able to appreciate poetry despile the philosophical turn ol his mind. Certainly his review of Coventry I'atmore'ii poems was severe. Miss HaJdane reinaaits: " It carries ns back to lilw old d-ajß of ' Blackwood,' when calm judgment 'was not- so much a.n object asstrength of expression, withering criticism, and biting sarcasm." His review of Kilzakth Barrett poems, published at about the «une timo —in 1845, —is appreciative, but critical. Part of ilt has been included in "Tho Phiteophical Romaine," which lill the second volume of '"P!>c Inures on Greek Philosophy." One of Perrier's *tudcntfi— and they are scattered far and wide all over the world-tells -how in from the ftandard poe-l.s undetected meiiningii were discovered by the professor and new light thrown upon the eiibieot of hie talk by quotations from the. claesjce—

from Milton and Byron as wll as from his favourite Horace. And Mir» Haldano also writes:

In St. Andrews there vraa no racial meeting at which Ferrier was not a welcome guest. Wlion popular lectures, then coming into vogue, were instituted in the town Ferrier was called upon to deliver <mc of ill? scries, the subject, drown being "Our Contemjiora.ry Poetical Literature." Ho says in a kliter: "I am in perfrti agony 'in quasi of something to my about 'Oar Contemporary Ports' in the Town Hall here on Friday. I must pump no something, heing* committed like an a&s to ttot .subject; but devil a thing will come. I wish Ayitoun would come over and plead their cause." However, in spite of fears, the Mure appears to have been a success. It w;is an eloquent appeal on behalf of, poetry, aii an educational factor and agent in carrying forward the work of human civilisation, and an appreciation of the work of Tennyson, Macaulay, Aytoun, and'LyMon.

The Aytoun hero mentioned is, of course, William Edmonstoune Aytoun, the poH who married Mis Ferrier's sister. Regarding Professor Aytoun's proposal for Midi Wilson's hand, the following story is told :—When the .engagement was being formed Ajloun demiKirocl somewhat to an interview with " Christopher .North," so the lady herself undertook the mission. Presently she returned with a card pinned upon her breast 'bearing the satisfying inscription, " With the author's compliments." Aytoun was an exceedingly plain man, and concerning his bust in the Blackwood's saloon, a rocognisnible belt idealistic likeness, Fenier once remarked, "I should call that the pursuit of beauty «nder difficulty." Of Ferrier's own courtship and marriage a fellow student has written: He married his .cousin Margaret, Professor Wilson's daughter, and I don't doubt that a shorthand report of their courtship would have been better worth reading than nine hundred and ninetynine out of every thousand courtships, for she had wit as well as beauty, and 1m was capable of appreciating bofh. No more charming woman have I ever seen or heard making game of mankind in general, and in .particular of pedants j and hypocrites. Slie would even laugh ait her husband on occasion; but it was dangerous for any volunteer to try and help her in that sport. A finer couple I have- never seen. Professor Ferrier was an exceedingly fortunate man in many ways, and chiefly in regard to his choice of a. wife. The second of my borrowed' books is " Some Nineteenth Century Scotsmen," by William Knight, who succeeded Ferrier as Professor of Philosophy in the University of St. Andrews. The volume contains a chatty chapter on Ferrier, including quite a number of eulogistic tributes from Ferrier's old students, amongst them being one from Andrew Lang. And rrofessor Knight has this word to say about Mrs Ferrier:—"Mrs Ferrier, daughter of Christopher North, was a very remarkable woman, and a great humourist. Many of her acute sayings "live after her.' I shall quote one about her husband. She could not understand his philosophy, and she remarked: 'It makes you feel as if you were sitting upon a cloud with nothing on, a lucifer match in your hand, but with no possible way to strike it.' Mrs Ferrier also delightfully described, the late Master of Baliol os 'the little downy owl.' Miss Haldano quotes from a lettor written 'by a friend of Ferrier's describing "Elleray" Wilson's beautiful home on the kinks ol Windermere, to which romantic spot he brought his young wife,Jane Penny, in the year 1811. In 1815, four years after his marriage, through the dishonesty of a relative, Wilson lost his entire fortune, and was. compelled to break up his establishment. But in later years ho again made a home at Elleray, and it is of this latter establishment that Miss Haldano speaks:

In his hospitable house, where ilie wits of Blackwood gathered at intense and visited individually in season and out of season, his daughter saw strange men of genius, such as few young ladies had the fortune to see, and heard talk such as hardly another had the fortune to hear. Lockhart, with his caricatures and bis incisive sarcasm, was :in intimate of the house. The F.tf'ick Shepherd, with his plaid and homely Doric, broke in occasionally, as did also ])e Ujiincey, generally towards midnight, when he used to sit pouring-forth his linsly-balanced, graceful sentences far on among the small hours of the morning. There were students, to.i, year after year, many of them not widistinguislieil, and some of whom had i.o doubt ideas of their own regarding the flashing hazel eyes of their olotruent professor's eldest daughter."

Miss Haldane naively adds, in regard to Miu-garet Wilson and her many suitors:

" But her cousin (Ferrier) was her choice, and neither side had reason to regret the marriage .of affection," Ferrier, too, Wttß fortunate both in the 'influence of heredity aud environment. He came of a literary family, and from his boyhood days had opportunities of associating with the most notable litcr.tte.urs that Scotland could boast. Another of my borrowings is Volume I of the "Lectures" introduced by Sir Alexander Grant and Professor Lushington, from which notice 1 have culled the following brief biographical details, which will serve to make my point: James Frederick Ferrier was the eon of John Ferrier, W.S. (Writer to the Signet), grandson of James Ferrier, an intimate friend of Sir Waller Scott. His mother, Margaret, was sister to Professor John Wilson'; his aunt, Susan Ferrier, honoured by the high praise , and! friendship of Scott, was the authoress _of "Marriage," "Destiny," and "Inheritance." . . . Having relations on both sides so highly gifted with literary ability, it is not surprising that -Mr Ferrier should have com--bincd with his metaphysical predilections .a powerful and at the -same time discriminating interest in all varieties of mental culture. Letters still preGcrvcd show how frank and cordial was the intercourse which lasted till her death, in 1854, between him and his aunt, Susan Ferrier. It would be superfluous to, enlarge upon the warm admiration which he always felt and avowed for his undo John Wilson, whose son-in-law be became in 1837, and whose literary remains he was busily engaged in editing during the years 16b6, 1857, and 1858. " ' It was at bis uncle's house during the time of his courtship that Ferrier came into contact with a galaxy .of brilliant literary stars. When a lad of 17 he recollected meeting at Elleray at one time, in the summer of 1835, Scott, Wordsworth, Lockhart, and Canning; whilst the names of Soutliey, De Quincey, and Coleridge were to iiim household words. Thus my study of Ferrier and his time has brought me iuto contact with the most delightful .society, from which I most reluctantly withdraw. But amongst Ferrier's miscellaneous literary work there is one matter which I must icntion ere 1 dose; I refer to his labours

connection with the? so-called Coleridge plagiarism, a controversy which aroused .xmsulerablu interest 60 or 70 years ago, and regarding which there is some diiferaioe of opinion at the present day. Do (Jnineey, in an article in Tail's Magazine of September,. 1834, enters a defence of Coleridge on the ground of literary "kle-onnmia " in regard to the fact that in the Biographia Literaria there occurs a dissertation on the doctrine of " Knowing and lieing," which is an exact, translation of an essay written by Soldiinir. the German philosopher. Ferrier entered the lists and denounced Coleridge" as a rank plagiarist. I was greatly interested in going over the ground; first of all reading De Quincey's sketch of Coleridge hi Volume 11 of his' collected works, together with his "Note on Coleridge's Plagiarisms" audi Professor Masson's remarks thereon; following this up by a reference to the lliogrnphia Literaria -itflelf (recently issued in " Everyman's Library"), together with the summary of the controversy as given by Miss Masson. I was somewhat surprised, however, to find that Mr H, D, Traill, in his

Monograph on Coleridge in the "English Men of Letters," makes no reference to the alleged plagiarisms and offers no opinion thereon.

But whether Coleridge was a conscious or liiiciHiscious plagiarist, there can be no disputing the fact that the word which lie borrowed from the Greek ami applied to Shakespeare best describes him—viz., "myriad minded." • And it may also he worth remembering that, when at Oxford, in company with Snulhey, he talked over a scheme for turning Socialist and emigrating with a chosen bund to America. And it was Coleridge, as great- at coining words as he was in uttering them, who declared that Socialism should bo rechristened I'aulisoeracy, which new doctrine be subsequently preached persistently. And this, I fancy, is a good place at which to leave off.

"IK MARVEL."

A RECORD OF HIS WRITINGS,

It is a tribute to the literary instincts of bookbuyers throughout Otago that Duncdin booksellers report a steady demand.for those two delightful volume's by "Ik Marvel,"' "The Reveries of a Bachelor" and "Dream Life." These books are to l>e purcluiEcd in all manner of delightful editions, and their fascination and charm will certainly endure for all time. It will, therefore, be welcome news that Messrs Charles Scribner and Sons, of Xe-w York,- have just issued "The Works of Donald G. Mitchell"— the author's real name, for " Ik Marvel" is but ft pen-Mine—in the Edgewood edition of fifteen volumes, beautifully and appropriately illustrated.

The- following notice of the man and his books, which, prompted by the new edition, appeared, in the latest number of the Chicago Dial, will accordingly be read with interest.—

The publication of the "Edgewood Edition" of the works of Donald G. Mitchell emphasises the fact that the history of American literature covers a very eliort period of time. Two lives take us back to the beginning. Washington Irving read " The Reveries of a Bachelor " with delight, and accepted the dedication of " Dream Life " to himself " as an outward eign that we are linked cordially in sympathies and friendship." The fifteen beautiful volumes before us form a vista through which we look back to the days of "Salmagundi," "The Talee of a Traveller," and " The Sketch Book."

"Ik Marvel" was sixty years ago hailed ns the natural successor of "Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." And "Ik Marvel" has lived to write charming prefaces to his numerous works in 1907.

Wasmngtou Irving inherited directly from Goldsmith. He carried into Americaof the nineteenth century the style of the English esayists of the eighteenth century. He was accused of lacking that highly prized and yet rarely defined quality, "Americanism." Did he not delight to tell the story of rambles in the old world? Was there not a genial warmth in his account of an English cpuntry.house? Did he not throw the glamour of old-world romance over newworld scenes? Was not his, humour quiet, ratuer than obstreperous? Did .he not prefer meditation to business?

After answering all these queries in the affirmative, one may add 'tluut- in these rc&pecte Irviivr was very «.».e a considerable number of his countrymen. They, too, had an affectionate interest in the Jama of their forefathers, and a preference for the amenities of life. It is to wis class that Donald G. Mitchell belongs. Throughout his literary life there has been a noticeable detachment from contemporary interajts. Li the early fifties, when the country wae atlame with anti-slavery agitation, he wrote "The Reveries of a Bachelor" and "Dream Life." During the- Civil War no echoes of the strife are allowed to disturb the agricultural meditations of " Jidgewood Farm." This American country gentleman has lived the life of an English country gentleman of literary proclivities. He looks out upon the world, from; his snug retreat as Horace Walpolc looked out upon it from his imitation castle on Strawberry Hill.

Mr Mikhail, though lie has written much and wall, ii; still known as the author of "The Reveries of a Bachelor." One takes up .the book with a little trepidation. Will it bear.re-reading? What a very voung bachelor he was! He was only half through his twenties, and yet bis air was so solemnly reminiscent. Is the strenuous days of President Roosevelt there nceuie something artificial in the pose. Why should a young fellow of twenty-six assume to have reached "the yea'Rj that bring the philosophic mind," and sit by the fire, whether it be of crackling hickory or glowing anthracite? Why should ho not be np and doing?

Then we remember that literary taste "before the war" was not intolerant of sentiment of even of sentimentality. Young gentlemen indulged their feelings in the publicity of prase, and did not feel compelled to hide behind the veil of esoteric vcree. In fact, it was a period when the distinction between prose and verso had broken down. A generation that enjoyed versified novels like " Aurora Leigh" and "Lucile" had a warm welcome for prose-poems.

The fact that the "Reveries" and "Dream Life", have had a steady sale for half a century is a reassuring sign that tthe reading public does not really groin- old. There are always :ertain readers who are in their twenties, and some of them tee the courage of their convictions. The underlying conviction is that they have- lived long, and seen tnrough m-anv allusions, and pondered deeply the- problems of life, and have leftonly " one problem 1 * unsolved,—-does the Perfect Woman, belong to the category of ike existent or the non-existent? As the five flames or fades they grow sentimental or cynical, and find themselves equally interesting in either condition.

All this was pleasantly set forth by Mt Mitchell before he turned ibis mind to the more mundane matters of sub-soilir.g and the rotation of crops. It is well that in the later editions he refrained has hand from his earlier work. He eonld only have marred the completeness of the impression. Here at least it is 'irue that "fieoond thougihis are prose." If in hie iirst booke Mr Mitchell takes

us back to the past it must be saiid that the work of his nmturor days was in soma respects that of a pioneer. Within half a dozen years there lrais been a great revival in our-of-door literature. Scores of books have been written and periodicals published setting forth the charms of country life. It is part of a. most hopeful movement back to the laud. It wais not so in 1863, when "My Farm of Kdigewood" ivae published. The question had not then become urgent,—"Do

you find your brain taking breadth or colour out of carrot-raiuiiig t»r pumpkins?" .Uv Mitchell had to educate his readers t<> an appreciation of the poasibiltcs of the farm. As a- literary farmer he has bean a great success, and his career has been a refutation of his own Uresis that the. practice of agriculture is not- conducive to intellectual development-. Ho has managed to get two crops from his land, using the rainy days to ga'Bher in the "harvest of a quiet eye." Perhaps ho has been teo good a farmer to get the test, or rather tlm most lucrative, literary results. The "test sellers" have Ij-mui books confessing to such amazing misadventures in the art of husbandry that even we of laity, pent up in cities, could see the joke aiid join with Reuben and Jake in tueir laughter. mv Mitchell never made blunders of sub.dent magnitude to be broadly amusing. When he takes uis into bis confidence he never gets Iwyond the quiet humour of a. man who can point nut tho fad that Connecticut is not Aratdia.

There is a pleasant- contrast between i lie bnokishness of " Wet Days at Kdgewnod" and the homely ooniimoii senss of the volume eutitkd " Out of Town Places, with Hints ' for their Improvement." lint evervwltere there is a- serious entlni-

e'mm for country life i:>:hl all it brings with it. He is no fickle lover, and ho warns Iks readers that they must be content with no superficial nreference for rural tilings. " I would not counsel a:iy one <lo think of a home in' the country whoso heart does not doap whan he Ke-es the Mist lifting i-ho city courtyards, and the boughs of .the Forayt'hia

a drip with golden censors. ..mny a- man mistakes a contain pleasurable affiociation of Ins boyhood days with the Miintrv for an eurne.it. love; it may lie only a sentiment which will wilt with the'scorching heats of Au.gitfi, and will die utterly when the fruits nip the verdure of th'o year." Xo man of letters, if he lives long eiKuigh, escapes writing ;• novel. Mr -Mitchell's novel, "l)r Johns," has shared the fate of Henry Ward Heeeher'e " Norwood," which was of the. tome period. It is remembered ns the work of » mini who had done better things. Throughout these vobmuis we have many of the waimi friendship existing between the author and his publisher, Mr Charles Scribner. Meeew Charles Scribiifii-'fl Sons have in th's beautiful edition furnished a memorial of this friendship. Not all these volumes are likely to be read, but it. is good to have them bound together. Of the best of thflin we may say, us Mr Mitchell eays of " The Sketch Book ": I know there is a disposition to spoak of it rather patronieingly and apologetically—as if ''t were raniniscent —Anglican—conventional—as if lie would liave done better if he had possesutd our modern critical bias—or if he Itad been born in Boston—or born a philosopher outright: Well, perhaps so —parta'ps, £o, iJut 1 love to think and believe that our dear old Mrs Irving was born just where ho should have been born, and wrote in a way that it is hardly worth our while to try and mend for him. I understand that a great many promising young people—without fear of the critics before their eyes—keep , on persistently reading that old Sketch Book, with its "Broken Hearts," and "Wife" twining like a vime, and " Spectre Bridegroom," and all the rat. And I Euspeet that those same promising young people are also still reading the "Reveries of a Bachelor" and " Dream Life." ! S, M. Cbothees.