THE WRITER'S WAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15553, 7 September 1912, Page 14

THE WRITER'S WAY.

Complon .Mackenzie, whoso" Carnival." is quoted as ono of'tho most successful novels of the year in America and in England, has left London and is at work on a new novel, which will bo published early.

Haroiioss Von Hiitten is writing a new novel at her lovely home at Uindhead in tho country, whilo Lady Napier, of Magdala, has completed Iter new story, " .Muddling Through." Henry James Forman, who is living at present in Oxfordshire, is busy with a novel the sceno of which is laid in modern Now York. Grant Richards, the published, is bringing out a reprint of this author's " Ideal "Italian Tour," recently published in America by Houghton, Mtiflliii and Co. Another American publisher has contracted with Mr Forman for a voliimo about London.

Writing in the Pall Mall Gazette " J. P. C. " says: "The variety and lightness of his "pen has long robued Mr Lang of half his due. The world loves men of one label, and half suspects the man who has not room enough on lus breast to carry all his literary medals. It mil nover do him justice as a journalist, as a lecturer, or as a reader and adviser for publishers. These are aspects which appeal to the few and Uio privileged, peyliaps. It will, it must, learn to appraise him as a serious poet,'especially aa author of ' Helen of Trov.' "

The news that Frederic Mistral is well after all is news to make harpstrings tremble wherever Apollo lias a hearing. For 60 years—lie is in his eighty-second now—this Gr.mil Old Foot of Provonco has played many parts ill harmony, tho patriarch of southern Franco, tho typical farmer proud of his herds and vines, tho leading spirit in all rural festivals, and tho worthy pivot of tho Fclibrigo. This Society of Happiness and Freedom, as its name denotes, is without a counterpart in history, wo bolicvo, for tJic way in which it has made poetry a medium of patriotism, tho restoration of pure speech, and tho germ of a great national revival. And head and shoulders abovo this minstrel company has always been the author of " Mireio," a true embodiment of " tho warm south," " Dance, and Provencal song, and sunburnt mirth." Jean Honri Fabro, on whose behalf a moving appeal has been issued by his neighbour, Mistral, would never suffer from want if the rewards received for his works were commensurate- with tho praise bestowed upon them. Despite Uio French scientist's determined refusal to recognise evolution as a legitimate idea, Charles Darwin calls him ,r tho immortal Fabrc— a most patient, indefatigable observer, ready to sacrifice everything to tho carrying on of his work." To Maeterlinck, Fabro appears " one of tho greatest glories known to the civilised world, and tho most marvellous of all poets, if wo accept Uio only true definition of poetry." Rostand, too, has showered sujwrlativea on " the profound genius of Fabro. Ho has tho mind of a philosopher, tho keen vision of an artist, tho sensitiveness and powers of expression of a poet." Amelia E. Barr, who has reached tho

ago of 81, ami ftfa «Ttu«(, 60 nn ,ms m fog tho last 30 years, is at work on hu antobiogranliy »t" her homo in Cornwall. on-tho-Huuson. Miis BaiT camo to Ihii country from the North of England witfi hor husband before tho war and settled . in Texas. Sho spent much of Uio early part of her lifo in pioneer sections of tho country, and did w>t enter upon her literary career until sho was 51, after the death of her husband. Her hooks have had a steady sale in America and England. Perhaps the most notablo among, t-hem aro 10 novols tho scene.! and chn.rnct.ar3 i n which are taken from old Now York.

G. K. Chesterton met with a more or loss serious accident, not so very long ago. Whilo walking in his garden li< stumbled over a (lower pot thai som< unkind sonl had deposited in the pn',:» and fell heavily to tho ground Wh<* hi* wife, assisted by the gardener, ma.-.n»t'd o get him on his foot again-no "V ask—ho mildly mentioned the fact *..'•> ho had broken his arm. And ho ha. • Ho is at present doing Woll and doing hit customary work, besides contributing hir weekly articles to tho Illustrated London Nows and Daily News and Leader, an d. doubtless, the only lasting result of his injury will bo an immortal essay on " Tho Valno of Having Ono Arm * on Uio lines of " Imparlance of Ilaving Ono Leg," which ho wrote when ho° was laad up wiUi a sprained ankle some yean a#o.