AMONG THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16348, 3 April 1915, Page 4

AMONG THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

A series of ''Spiritual Letters of Monsignor R. Hugh Benson to One of 'His Converts" will bo published by Messrs Longmans, -with' a preface by Mr A. C. Benson.

Mr- John Foster Fraser .gives tho results of his observations of the position of the Jew in many parts of the, world in a book to be published by Messrs Cassell under tho title of "Tho Conquering Jew." Leonid Andreiov, whoso plays have found many readers in America, has written a new play called ''King, Law, and Liberty," in •which two of the characters are said to represent Maurice Maeterlinck and King Albert.

Messrs Hodder and Stoughton will have ready shortly the long-announced work- by Professor Sir W. M. Rams-iy on "The Bearing of Discpvery on tho Trustworthiness of the New Testament." The author gives in detail the evidence which convinced him that the story contained in the New Testament was a statement of historical fact.

Mr John will publish "A "Pilgrim's Scrip," by R. Campbell Thompson. The author is by profession an excavator of ancient remains, and this book gives tho lighter and hunian side of his travels and adventures in pursuit of his profession. It is particularly interesting at the present time, as one part of tho book depicts the author's life in Arabia, /nto which the Persian Gulf expedition is now advancing, and another part his adventures in the Sinai Peninsula.

Russian literature figures prominently in the announcements. Mr Fi~her Unwin is bringing out a new edition of Gogol's "Dead Souls," with a preface by Mr Stephen Graham. Another of the great Russian realist novels, "The Golovlcffs," bv Shchedrin (Saltikov), is to a,ppoar for the first time in an English translation to be published by Messrs Jarrold. Other announcements includo a translation by J. E. Hogarth of Andreicv's play, "Tho Life of Man," which enjoyed a long run at the Arts Theatre in Moscow. This is coming from Messrs Allen and Unwin.'

The new batch of volumes to an pear in Messrs Jack's series "The People's" Books" would probably not have been written but for tho war. They arc "The Hohenzollerns," by Mr A. D. Innes; "Trcitschke." by Mr M. A. Mngge; "Germany." bv Mr W. T. Waugh; "Belgium," by Mr Frank Maclean; and "'The British Army," by Mr A. H. Atteridge. Under the title of "Reticence in Literature," Mr Arthur Waugh has brought together a collection of essays, some of which were first published in "The Yellow Book," and all of which are intended to draw attention to the value of urbanity, restraint, dignity, and tho quieter qualities of creative literature. In addition to a series of papers on tho leading movements in Victorian

* The Voyages of Captain Scott, retold from " The Voyage. of the Discovery" anil " Scott's Last Expedition." By Charles Turlev. With an introduction by Sir J. M. Barrio, Bart. London : Or. Bell and Hons. (3s Gd.)

♦"Business Life: Hints on Odice Management." By W. J. Parkins. London: H. B, Allcuson, Limited. (Is act.)

poetry, tlir? yoliinio will contain .1 mimlier of appreciations of writers ranging from Orashnv to Uuorgo Grissiii<j. It will bo issued by Mr John (i. Wilson, ono of tlio lutest recruits to London publishing. Ah" John LllllO will have ready shortly u now edition of the "Poems of Jiinilo Vorjiacron," translated by Alma Strcttel, who has brought her biographical introduction up to date, and added tome of tho poet's recent work. The sumo publisher also h.'is nearly ready an illustrated work on "Carillons of Belgium and Holland," .by William Uorhain llice—a study of tower music at Y-prcs, Bruges, Antwerp, Mons, and elsewhere in the Low Countries before tho war. In some cases tho illustrations now servo as memorials of towers which 110 longer exist. ' 'Contemporary Belgian Literature" is the title of a book by Mr Jethro Bithell, to bo published by Mr .Fisher Unwin. Fruits of Mr Bithell's study of Belgian literature have already appeared) in his biography of M. Maeterlinck, and some excellent renderings of selections from the contemporary Belgian poets. In the coming volume, ho begins with the year 1880, when a group of Louvain students, Yerhaeren among them, began tho movement that lias produced tho Belgian literature of to-day. Mr Bith-ill deals with what has been written in Flemish, as well as with tho writers, more familiar to us in Englsand, who have expressed themselves "n French.

Lord Cromer has written a supplementary volume to his "Modern Egypt," which has just boon published by Messrs Macmillan. It is called " Abbas II," and it covers the 15 years between tho death of Tew file Pasha, in 1892, and Lord Cromer's departure from Egypt in 1907. It should bo a rather biting book, for Lord Cromer's view of Abbas's character was obtained at close range, and "vV'as quite as unfavourable as its subject deserved. Lord Cromer and Abbas never " got on," for, indeed, it was hard to respect the ex-Khedive either as a man or as a ruler. Lord Kitchener's relations were probably a little bettor. But there were some sharp passages in them. MesSrs Nisbot will start their. "Writers of the Day" series with Mr J. D. Beresford's estimate of " 11. G. Wells." Mr F. J. Harvey Darton will follow with "Arnold Bennett," including a study of the Five Towns and their characteristics, physical and moral. Tho third volume will be " Anatole France." by Mr W. L. George. Later volumes will include 1 "Mrs Humphry Ward," by Mr Stephen Gwynn, M.P.; " John Galsworthy," by Miss Sheila KayoSmith; and "R;udyard Kipling," by Mr John Palmer, -who also has a now novel coming out through Mr Martin Seeker. It is satisfactory to learn that the last batch of volumes in the "Homo University Library," issued by Messrs; Williams and Nbrgato, was so little affected by tho war that a further instalment will be published. This will comprise a study of " Mi'ton," by Mr John Bailey, whose "Johnson and His Circle " is already among the most sucocssful volumes in tho library; a " History of Philosophy," by Clement C. J. Webb; "Political Thought in England, from Herbert Spencer to the Present Day," by Ernest' Barker; • and " Belgium," by R. C. K. Ensor, who deals with his -übjoct both from the historical and the descriptive standpoint, with maps illustrating past and present campaigns. Mr John Lane has aenuired tho English rights in Sir Svon_ Hedin's book on the war,_ and the English translation will be published at once. As it was commissioned by tho Kaiser, it naturally takes the German point of view; but, nevertheless, the book is exceedingly interesting, as the author had unique facilities Jpr seeing things behind tho German lines, and the photographs alone, taken by Sir Sven Hedin himself at the front, together with his sketches, make a most valuable record from any point of view. The text, with the exception of a few passages dealing with Swedish domestic politics, will bo unabridged, and so will differ largely from tho German edition, which has been considerably compressed. • ; Leaving for a moment his studies in religious anthropology, Sir James G. Frazer has produced a solection of Tho Essays of Joseph Addison." Considerations of space presumably restricted the selection, but it is very full, and contains all tho most notable pieces. The nreface is a delightful account of the editor's visit to Covorloy Hall and other pleasing imaginings. It contains some gentle satire o£ critical editors and their little ways in the matter of exegesis which everybody will enjoy -with tho possible exception of the victims, and even they may perhaps laugh at its sly irony. There are a few notes, but not enough to weary or distract the reader, or tempt him to apply Sir James Frazcr's little sarcasms to himself. Like all Messrs Macmillan's books, the volu.nes tire a pleasure to read and handle.

Messrs John Long will publish immediately " The Life of His Majesty, Albert, King of the Belgians." It is dedicated to her Royal Highness Princess Mario Jose of Belgium, and contains an important preface by Commandant- Mat on, Military Attache to the Belgian Legation, London. The book

is written on popular lines in a chatty and anecdotal style by Mr John de Courcy Mac Donncll, whoso work, " Belgium, Her Kings, Kingdom, and .People," published on the eve of the war, has been one of the books of' the season, and a fourth edition of which is just announced. Not the least interesting part of the book is that which deals with the simple home life of Belgian, Royalty. In order that it may appeal to-' the widest public possible, Messrs JTohn Long have decided to issue the book at the price of Is net, cloth bound, with illustrations. Mr John de Courcy Mac Donnell, who has lived over 12 years in Belgium, and has recently returned from that country, where ho passed more than once through the lines and was under fire, tells of what he has himself seen and heard.