BOOK NOTICES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16888, 28 December 1916, Page 6

BOOK NOTICES.

"My Exjierienocs on Threo Fronts." By Hister Marti n-Nioholson. Ixindon: George, Allen, and Unwin. (Cloth, portrait, 4s 6dj. The "threo fronts" aro thoso of Belgium, Russia, and Flanders, and tho " experiences " «et forth aro thoso of a professional nurso who had boon in many countries and spoko German and French liko a native. Of tho "three fronts" t,luu of Russia will be tho most, interesting to tho general roador, trusting as it does of mtimato conditions in a little-known country; and tho narrative is full of little touches of observation and sympathy. It is not unduly painful, though it is full of touching and pathetic incidents, which have the ring of unexiLggeratcd' truth, and often bring teaTS to tho eyes. From Rustia, Nurso Martin-Nicholson was recalled to England by urgent private affairs. When these were settled sho was sent to tho western front. " I had tended Belgia.ns, French, Russians, Polos. Aubtrians, and Germans," she writes, '' arid my heart just ached tor the sight of my own soldiers and tho look in their honest eyes as they watch tho nurso working hiurd and cheerfully for their vroJl-being." Like all those who are brought much into contact with tho British "Tommy," this nurse cannot praise him enough. At the end of her book Sister Martin-Nicholson gives a very shrewd and clcse analysis of the character and conduct of tho fighting men of tho different nations. Sue olass-s them under five heads: —" Not bravery —to each nation its own interpretation and showing of that great word. No! Let us take endurance, courtesy, gentleness, cleanliness, and good humour." Under ali thc3o heads sho unhesitatingly gives the palm to our own men. -Site ospecially praises their sense of humour. It is like a mighty river that never nans dry. Right through the land of Agony, Pain, and Privation, the forest of Hunger and Thirst and Weakness it fiows. It dots not bubble or froth or break into little cascades; it goes on and on' 1 for ever. They aro not humorous with intention. They never laugh at their own jokes or tales or actions. It seems to ino that they aro born humorous. I defy any ono to (inter a ward in tho morning or leave, it at night without an uplifting of tho heart in response to the British soldier's outlook on the day ahead, or gratitude for tho day just ftjesed.

"Two Generations." By Frederick Niven. London: Evclcigh Nash. (Cloth, 3s 6d.)

Mr Nivcn's present novel fully equals, if it does not surpass, his previous efforts. It is a novel of ideas, and not a merely brilliantly accurate essay in observation. Nothing escapes him, the smallest detail bearing on the subject in hand is to him as important as the most salient; while at the same time he never misses the subtle inner motive, the play of fancy and imagintion which makes "atmosphere" of so much more importance to h;s. hero than the material advantages which satisfy others,. In Mabel Murray he shows the. hard materialism which characterises a modern business woman struggling with the inherited instincts of a former type. She prides herself on being self-supporting, and at tho same time indulges in self-pity because 6ho has to work, thus renouncing a possible sweet dependence on some unknown lover-husband. She wants simultaneously to rule and bo ruled. Her egoism is appalling, while her fame as a dutiful daughter and clever, capable woman is ever increasing. But Mr Niven's best and most sympathetic work is put into tho portrait of Ted Murray, a hard-working impractical dreamer, dull, unselfish, and chivalrous. Tho whole tale is a drama of the family, that often tragic combination of liko blood and warring temperaments; and Mr Niven sets it forth with poignant effect, sineo he is one of those writers who loves to dwell on common life, in its work and its romance, its littleness as well as its greatness—above all, on its common, human relationships jib seen by tho light of pity and understanding.

"An Australian Wooing." By Sophie Osmond. Letch worth: Garden City I'rcsa. (Cloth, 3s 6d.)

This clever and original story, the work of one who spent her youth in New Zealand, and is now employed as a journalist in London, will be read with great interest. It is the story of a son of the Southern Cross, who went to London to introduce and exploit a 'wonderful new " marine fabrio" obtainable from Antipodean seashores, which possesses most of the qualities of cotton, and can bo used in scores of different ways—from paper to army blankets, from cordago to mercerised linen. The trade part of the tale is a romance in itself which will appeal to every true patriot. Tho red-tape opposition, the intrigues of rival firms, the exposure of German ante-bellum trade manoeuvres would alone provide the intelligent reader with excellent pabulum. When to this are added a spirited love story, several mysterious psychic experiences, the discomfiture of a lady adventuress of tho worst type who boomerangs her enemy in Richmond Park, it must be confessed that the list of attractions is as varied as could be desired. Miss Osmond's story shows colonial push and keenness in strong contrast to the proverbial conservatism of the British trader and Government alike; and in one powerful sceno she introduces that " great little man" whose memory is enshrined in all heartsimmortal "Bob?," through whose intelligent, clear-s,ightcd influence the "marine fabric" largely comes to its own. The patriotic note 'is firmly struck throughout, and reaches its climax when the sea-born fibre is wedded to t.hc picric acid obtained from Yacoa gum, forming a powerful explosive, which the Australians present to the Mother Country in her hour of need.

"Tho Key of the "World." By Dorin Craig. London: John Long. (3s 6rl, 2s 6d.)

This is a story of North Devon and the moors. It is full of Nature, of bracing outdoor life and work, of the ploughing of "tho six-acre," the exquisite promise of tho spring, the sincere joys of farm and country life in one of the most bracing climates, that fills the eve with wide distances and tho veins with the exhilaration of champagne. It is a real love story, and the heroine is worthy of her setting. To gratify a thirst for vengeance, aroused by tho schoolboy punishment due to a sneak, Liston Crawley a pettifogging attorney, introduces a false heir to the noble family of Carno, in tho person of Garth Rerrv, a poor man "without a name," adopted by n moor farmer. Garth, by sheer force of character, defeats tho lawyer's evil scheme, and wins the respect and esteem of all men. It is long since we read so sincere and charming a love tale.

" Tho War Wedding" By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. London: Methuen and Co. (2s 6:1, 2s net.)

The theme of this story—very different from tho usual motor ear adventures boloyed of its authors —is one of deep pathos and self-sacrifice. It deals with the drama that, may result from the false report of a soldier's death, and tells how the man. given Up by clever surgeons, comes bnek—after eight months and a major operation—to tho body whieh had lain unconscious all that time. He slowly returns to a modicum of health, to find that his bride of an hour had married .another man ; and nothing re-ni-vns to him hut to efface his own identity and change his name. What happens to him during til" months of unconsciousness is hinted at rather than told. To himself it seemed as if he had crossed the Dark River and discovered by personal experience that " there is no death." for he had seen young men of both sides, friends and enemies. meeting and talking to eaclj other, saying "Ts this all? ft this the worst that, death can do to us?" Suddenly roKa.yv] spirits. "surprised and happy." seeing for the first time the Great Reality behind what, we call death. The soldier wlm has had tlrs revelation never loses it. Tt alters his whole outlook on life nncl on death. It. is given to him to heln manv —among others, his own " supposed " widow. TTis message is to all. "Listen to vour hopes, nud you can know wlfho'it wailing. beennse hope ie th" vo'ee of intuitive knowledsre. and soul-intuition is born with us." This is a b«ni'tif"l .and helpful book. Many a stricken heart will find comfort in it.

"Tbe Neapolitan Lovers." By Alexandre Dumas : translated, with introduction, bv ■R. S. Garnet). London : Stanley Paul and Go. (3s M. 2s fid.) This hook, hitherto unfamiliar to Kngli c h readers, is one of Dumaa's best and most

characteristic pieces of work, it lias all his faithful adherence to historical fact, his grip ol European politics, and his marvclk»u» nnu,jj:,»l,iOii, which makes every character a Uving personage playing a. distinct part in tho wonderful, complicated drama of life. 'J'ho period in that episode ill tho life of Nelson when, after ho had won tho battle of tho Nile and blocked up Napoleon and his army m Egypt, ho returned to Naples to recruit and relit. Ferdinand IV, King of tho 'I wo Sicilies, and his Queen, Maria Caroline, riiste.r of Marie Antoinette (the recently murdered Queen of France), the British AlinLster (Sir William IluinilUjii) and his beautiful and famous wife, together with other members of the Court, erubark in a splendid galley to meet and welcomo Nelson. The action of tho story begins with this meeting and ends three months later, when on a wild and stormy night Nelson in his own ship conveyed tho King, the Royal family, and their courtiers to Palermo, in torrilied ilighl, from tho approaching anny of the French Republic. Much history has been made in those three months. The Neapolitan troops under General Alack had been defeated; the Queen's crimes and intrigues had incurred the rage of the Neapolitan people ; and Emma Hamilton's chains had been riveted on Nelson. King Ferdinand was so anxious to obliterate all record of this disastrous period that he ordered every manuscript bearing upon it to be destroyed, keeping only ono copy in tho secret archives. When Garibaldi entered Naples in triumph this copy fell into his hands, and he passed it on to Dumas. It forms the basis of tho present story.

Wo liavo received from Messrs Thomas Nelson and Sons, in their admirable ninepenny series of reprints, " Tho Red Cockade.," by Stanley Weyman, and " Tho Shadowsof the Rope." by E. W. Hornung ; and from Messrs Plodder and Stoughton, in their shilling series, " Glengarry Days," by Ralph Connor, and " Tho lied Mouse," by William Hamilton Osborne. From John Long (Ltd) we have received a fresh edition of Nat Gould'a " Tho Wizard of tho Turf."