BRIEF MENTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 4

BRIEF MENTION.

1. —MODERN POETRY. The merit of much of modern poetry affords matter for discussion, and evokes a considerable difference of opinion. In one of the latest additions to Herbert Jenkins’s “ To-day Library ” (2s 6d net), Mr 1010 A. Williams discusses “ Poetry Today,” in conversational fashion, displaying in the process the prejudices and preferences inseparable from any such individual attempt. Mr Williams gives a fairly accurate and comprehensive account of the movement in poetry in the twentieth century, reviewing the work of the decadents of the Yellow Book school, and linking them up with the Georgian poetry books, the war poetry, and the subsequent work of living poets. He gives due place to the poetry of Mr Walter de da Mare and Mr W. H. Davies. Unlike many contemporary critics, he prophesies immortality for the work of Rupert Brooke, and expresses admiration for the work j of J. C. Squire, and even that of Squire’s henchman, Edward Shanks. On the whole, Mr Williams has done well, and the book may be commended as a sincere attempt to estimate the place and the prospects of modern poetry. It ends on a hopeful note. Mr Williams says. The present time is one at which poets as a whole set themselves honest and manly standards in their art. They do not seek after strange vices .or foreign lands to celebrate their verses, but turn, with a love increased perhaps by the years of war through which most of them passed, to what Engl anti has to offer them, especially to the inex-

haustible inspiration of the English countryside. They are learning to write with an honest technique, without that loftiness of diction which was the curse of the minor Victorian poets; and it is, perhaps, for that reason that though we have no one great figure we have a score of poets who have often written well, upon a constantly increasing variety of themes, and in varying moods. England has surely cause to be proud of her poets to-day and to feel that the art which they practise is one in which she is in no immediate danger of losing her established eminence. 2.—MODERN SCIENCE. “ What is the world likely to bo in another thousand years? What in a million years? What in a hundred million years? ” These ara some of the questions which Mr Joseph M’Cabe attempts to answer in another volume in Herbert JenIdns’s “To-day Library,” entitled “ Science Yesterday, To-day, and To-morrow ” (2s 6d not). Mr M‘Onbe. who is a prolific writer on a variety of topics, is one of those who loolc to science for everything, to the neglect of religion of any kind whatever. Re is not a scientist, but he absorbs all that has been written on the subject by scientists, and he has a knack of stating the conclusions arrived at in an arresting manner. He traces the development of study from the days of the old alchemists to the achievements of the creative chemist, and shows to what a tremendous extent science has increased man’s mastery over the universe. He dwells especially upon the conquest of pain by scientific research, and opens up a wonderful prospect of a new universe. The things in store for the human race are glowingly dwelt upon:— Under the guidance of science the race has at last got into its stride. It is evolving self-consciously. It has n feeling of mastery which no previous generation had. In a few years the population will be stationary in every civilised country. The new wealth created will not have to be lost in part by increased cost of distribution. Transport improvement and wireless will decentralise the congested towns. Organisation of some sort will tone down the waste of working capacity and the clothing of wealth. A regenerated race will laugh at its residual problems, the last portion of the legacy from barbarism, and what we now speak of as “science,” as a thing apart, will have become synonymous with intelligence. 3. JOHN BUNYAN. The fact that the tercentenary of the birth of John Bunyan falls due towards the end of the present year is responsible for a flood of literature in regard to the life and work of the author of “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” Mr R. H. Coates, lecturer in English literature at Birmingham University, has published through the Student Christian Movement a capital little han< book on John Bunyan (4s net), in which a comprehensive account is given of the salient points in the career of the famous brazier of Bedford. He is successively dealt with under the headings of “ Wrestler with God,” “ Pastor and Preacher,” " Dreamer of Dreams,” and “ Writer of Books.” In a final chapter Mr Coates endeavours to imagine what John Bunyan, were he still living, would think of the England of today. The conclusions reached are that Bunyan would be gratified at the extent to which the principles for which he fought had held their ground. He would probabl- be greatly perturbed oy the apparent decay amongst us of the sense of sin. He would be alarmed at the lack of concern for personal religion. Another strange thing, in Bunyan’s eyes, would be the modern rebound from “other worldliness ” to “ this-worldliness.” Bunyan would be greatly perplexed by our modern attitudie to the Bible. Finally, Bunyan could not but feel deep misgivings and searchings of heart if confronted by certain modern conceptions of Jesus Christ. Mr Coates says:— Perhaps after discussion our differences regarding Christ would appear to be less than might be supposed. It is certainly true that theologically speaking things have changed. The doctrinal framework of “ Grace Abounding” is largely obsolete to-day. But so is that of Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” written at the same time. It is a remarkable fact that whereas the theological lanctaarks of “ The Pilgrim’s Progress ” have become altered almost beyond recognition, since Bunyan’s time, both by the slow erosion of more than two centuries and also (since Darwin) by the violent upheaval of a new conception of the universe, its spiritual and imaginative landmarks remain practically unchanged. . . Surely we may learn from Bunyan the importance of the imagination in the religious life. 4. SCOTLAND FOR EVER. “ The Scots Year Book, 1927-28" (Angus and Robertson; Is 3d) is of interest to every Scotsman wherever found. It aims at cultivating Scottish sentiment and traditions throughout the British Empire, and thus bring encouragement and support to the many Scottish societies dotted all over the habitable globe, no fewer than 1225 of such societies being listed in its pages. The Scottish Calendar contains a fund of information concerning Scotland and Scotsmen, in addition to which there are special articles on Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, John Brown of Haddington, and the Old Scoteh Psalms. Many other items of useful information are given in the Year Book, a copy of which should adorn every Scotsman’s home. The book is admirably edited and well produced. 5. PHYSICAL EDUCATION. “In taking teachers’ classes, ‘ summer school ’ work, and in the training of students, I have felt the need for some further statement of principles as a background to the practical side of physical training, games, and athletics.” , Thus writes Miss M. B. Davies in a preface to a book entitled “ Physical Training, Games, and Athletics in Elementary Schools” (George Allen and Unwin; 7s 6d net). This manual has been prepared as a text-book for training college students, and has been expressly framed to meet the needs of the primary or elementary school. In addition to physical exercises proper, consideration is given to playgrounds and apparatus, the organisation of games, sports, dancing, swimming, and the hundred and one items which come well within the compass of physical education. The book is intensely practical, the work of an evident enthusiast, and well suited for adaptation to Dominion needs. A list of reference books adds to the value of the manual. 6. NEW YORK. “ Whoso shall read this book ” —“ New York,” by Quex (Stanley Paul; 3s 6d net) —“will, I venture to affirm, learn more of the wonders of New York, its strange atmosphere, and the psychology of things American, than if he had journeyed thither himself.” This is Mr Jeffery Farnol’s tribute to George Nichols’s chatty book of impressions of the city of New York, a book whose keynote is its frank sincerity. There arc pictures of New York by night and by day, respectable New York and disreputable New York, a', 1 served up with a sauce of personal observation. It is a racy chronicle and readable throughout, being well sprinkled with amusing anecdotes. Any book by “ Quex ” is sure of a good hearing.