BOOK NOTICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17533, 27 January 1919, Page 8

BOOK NOTICES

"Art in Australia." Edited by Sydney Uro Smith, Bertram Stevens, and 0. Lloyd Jonos. Sydney: " Art in Australia."

It would bo impossible to exaggerate the merit of this, tho fifth, number of " Art In Australia," whether wo consider it from tho standpoint of the skill of artists, the excellence of the reproduction, the delicacy and precision of tho colouring, tho fineness of tho paper and clearness of the type, and tho _ value of the letterpress. It is Australian from cover- to cover, having been entirely sot up and printed in Sydney by Messrs Arthur M'Quitty and Co. Tho original paintings aro by well-known artists. Ono of tho most beautiful of all is that chosen for the A Studio Shrine," by L. Bernard Hall, in which tho richness of colour and brilliancy of reflection thrown from s a large copper plaque in the background forms an actual feast of colour. Against this is thrown a largo spray of flowering poach or cherry, sot in an antique vase and a quaint Japanese statuette; but it is the metal plaque that gives expression to tho whole composition, and its use •produces a wonderful colour reaction which is considered to bo a personal discovery of this artist, since it brings out " those silver and nacreous greys in human flesh which aro so inexpressibly beautiful." Then follows a dolightful picture, "Morning Light," by Elliot Gruner —a country landscape, in which the cool dawn light quisitely portrayed.—and two characteristic studies by Rupert Bunny, "A Quiet Evening " and " The Cliff Path," quiet and subdued in colour and depending chiejßy for effect on the skilful manipulation of light and shade. Another Bernard Hall and two Hardy Wilson's follow, and then we eomo to some of tho fine etchings of H'. Van Raalte, A.R.E., a Dutch etcher of repute now settled in West Australia. His finest Australian work is "The Monarch," showing the trunk and lower branches of a gigantio gumtreo revealed by a sudden flash of light in a storm, and exhibiting those sudden and brilliant "effects of light and shade for which this artist is distinguished. Some fine photos from the Connell collection of ancient furniture lately bequeathed to the Melbourne Art Gallery, including many almost unique specimens, practically all English, are arranged, chronologically from the Restoration period to tho early Victorian. An original lithograph by Thea Proctor, a charcoal study by Elliott Gruner, " Harbour View," by Hayley Lever; "The Cliff Shadow," by Will Ashton: two examples of E. PhiUips-Fox; a graceful pastel by Miss Cairibrae-Stewart, and a study from the brush of Hugh Ramsay (who died all too soon at the early age of 29), are other features of the volume. Tho letterpress chiefly describes the work and aims of the different artists, With occasional criticism, . and \ also includes an article, 'On Richmond Bridge," by Mr W. Hardy Wilson, and a paper on "Art and War," by Mr C. Lloyd-Jones. The other contributors are Norman and Lionel Lindsay, Bertram Stevens, Bernard Hall, and Harry Julius

"Askew's Victory." By Harold Bindloss. London: Ward, Lock, and Co. (Cloth, 65.)

Mr Harold Bindloss can write a good story, full of incident and interest. Moreover this gift never seems to fail, and his last story js. as fresh and virile as his first. Never descending to mere sensationalism on the one hand or sordid realism (so-called) on the other, he presents pictures of real men and women pursuing their vocations in the midst of daily trials and duties, somotimes winning, sometimes losing • in the great game of life, but always human and natural. Kit Askew is a fine young fellow, well-educated and intelligent, farming his own land among the fells of Cumberland. Ho is a typical dalesman, as was his father and grandfather before him— silent, reserved, staunch, and reliable, but occasionally a little dour. Mr Osborn, of Tarnside, is an extravagant laudlord of the bad, old-fashioned type; acknowledging no duty to his tenants or his land: always in debt and difficulties; raising fresh loans, and spending money in folly instead' of in necessary improvements. His only son takes after him, and he has a unfaithful and mercenary steward. His wife and daughter try to keep things straight, and exercise rigid economy in the household, Dut their efforts are unavailing. Kit proceeds to the tropical islands of the Caribbean Sea at the invitation of his father's brother, Adam Askew, often called the "Old Buccaneer" to see life and make his fortune.; and on his return to the dale, a rich man but quite alone in the world, .he comes into collision with Osborn, who is on the very verge, of ruin, for which he blames every one except himself. For the sake of Grace Osborn Kit comes to the rescue of her father when the crash comes and the unfaithful agent shows his hand and endeavours to change positions with his employer and rule in Tarnside in his stead. Kit takes all liabilities upon himself,' and Osborn is obliged to acknowledge the bloodless victory of the better man.

"Foster on Auction." By R. F. Foster New York: E. P. Dutton and Co. "Pirate Bridge." By R. F. Foster. New York: E. P. Dutton and Co.

While pirate bridge is >played to some extent in Australia, it is as yet practically unknown in New Zealand. It is, however, exceedingly popular with card players in the United States, _ and it is claimed by its devotees that it is immensely superior to "auction," of which game it is, of course, a development. Its main advantages consist in the quickness of the play, and in the fact tßat the accident of misfit hands, so common in bridge or auction bridge, should be eliminated through the opportunity which is afforded for the selection of partners. Mr Foster explains the theory of the game very lucidly, and illustrates the practice of _it by a number of specimen = hands. Pirate bridge is a new game, having been first introduced in America only about two years ago, and it seems probable, therefore, that its possibilities have as yet been only imperfectly explored. Mr Foster's book on " Auction" is most informative and suggestive. Its value consists largely in the fact that it furnishes the analysis of a large number of hands that were actually played, the majority of them in important duplicate matches in which they -were overplayed at seven, eight, nine, and sometimes 12 tables. The outcome of this- analysis has been, Mr Foster contends, to show that the theories upon which the bids at. "auction" are based are a trifle vague, and often misleading, and that the reason of the failure of contracts— the statistics showing that eight contracts fail for every 18 that succeed—is that players do not know how to value their cards. The explanation which Mr Foster gives of the play in the 130 specimen hands that are discussed in the book cannot fail to be of great interest to those who have a weakness for "auction." Nor isihe value of the suggestions that are offered by Mr Foster really affected by the fact that the laws of the game, as set out in his book, are those which have been adopted in America, and which differ in some respects from those that are accepted as authorita- ; tivo in British countries.

/'The Island Mystery." By George Birmingham. London: Mcthuen and Co (Oloth, 65.) Daisy Donovan, daughter of an IrishAmerican millionaire, desires to be a queen and her father, who indulges her in every fancy, does his best to gratify her whim, There happens to be at this time in London a disreputable and impecunious kinglet Konrad Karl II of Megafia (somewhere in the Near East which furnished Zenda and other kingdoms to the imagination of the pre-war novelist), bordering on the Oyrenian Sea. Donovan would gladly have purchased this little kingdom,. but Konrad KarL with the fear of the Emjjeror' before his eyes, daro not sell. He is willing, however, to dispose of a small romantic island off the coast, and there is nothing to prevent Miss Daisy calling herself Queen of Salissa if she is thus disposed. Donovan pays a fancy price for it, loads, up a steamer with supplies of all kinds, and takes possession. Salissa proves all that was expected. It is a beautiful, : . mountainous island undermined by numerous caves of various sizes. There are a few inhabitants speaking a kind of patois which no one on board the steamer can understand except Edward Smith, acting steward and general factotum on board the Ida, who afterwards takes servico with the Queen and Donovan. The island is a place of mystery. Prom the moment of landing something uncanny pervades the air. In the palace, supposed to have been shut up for years, part of an envelope with a recent postmark is discovered, and in a great cave are' found a number of huge sempty cisterns, tho use of which is not apparent. The conduct also of Smith is peculiar, and gives rise to many suspicions, though the man's behaviour' is outwardly irreproachable. All ishis occurs early in 1914. Daisy is delighted with her kingdom, and tho mystery fascinates her. The next thing is that the Emperor disapproves of tho sale of Salissa, and commands Konrad Karl to buy it back again. This he cannot do, beoause ho has already dissipated most of the money.. Thereforo the autocrat commands Konrad to marry Uliss Donovan. . This also is impossible, because the youth has already formed other ties which ho is not willing or able to break. Bat Tshy doe* tha .. Emperor coneexn. Jainx-

self with such a trifling matter? Why does ho trouble himself about the loss of an unimportant littlo island off n barren coast in a littlo used sea? In the reply to this question, or questions, lies the crux of the mystery. Tho reader probably guesses it before tho solution dawns on tho newcomers. At any rate tho secret is well kept, and tho evolution of the mystery is most dramatic. "Present-day Application of Psychology; with special reference to Industry, Education, and Nervous Breakdown." By Charles S. Myers, M.A., M.D., So.D., F.R.S. (Director of tho Psychological Laboratory, Cambridge). . London: Methuen and Co. (Paper, Is net.)

ThiG little book, tho value of which must not be gauged by its size, contains the text of two lectures delivered by Dr Myers at tho Royal Institution, of Great Britain. It is a highly condensed epitome of what modern psychology has done, and is doing, for tho world in the domain of industry and education, and in that of nervous breakdown, with special reference to wounded soldiers and their treatment. Tho first few pages contrast tho standpoints of the physiologist and tho psychologist, the former investigating sensory experiences as if no were dealing with the measurement of pure sensation, and the latter considering in ad dition the mental phenomena of individual experience as shown in fatigue, education, interpretation, eto. This loads to the direct application of psychology to educational problems, such as memorisirg, and the difference in "'fatigue - * between one school subject and another, which, of course, has a direct hearing on < industrial efficiency based on individual difference. By many examples it is shown how "a mental work curve" is obtained, and how in the recurrent periods of work and recovery, undue fatigue may often be averted by a proper disposition of material, etc. "This principle has been applied practically in the case of shovellers, platelayers, bricklayers, and many similar trades, where m every case fatigue, and therefore time, and therefore money, has been saved. It thus shows why more work can be done in less time when the hours of rest and labour are properly adjusted. So great is the heed for the intelligent study of individual differ ences in the fitness for, and consequent choice of, industrial and other avocations that the author advocates the. establishment of vocational advice bureaux in various and the keeping in every school of each rhild's "dossier," in which tho special characteristics, of the pupil are entered, with a view to a guide in deciding the life work. The author passes on to tho psychology of feeling, and to the consideration of nervous breakdown arid tho establishment of special hospitals under the control of trained medical psychologists to undertake the treatment of such cases from a mental rather than a physical standpoint. The conclusion is that psychology in its modern form, as the study by "observation ajid experience of the normal and abnormal mind is bound to play an ever-increasing part alike m industry, education, aesthetics, and medicine, thus appealing to the active, enlightened .sympathy of the general public.