THE CRITIC CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 68

THE CRITIC CLUB.

A BOOK CRITICISM. The Thhee R 's, By Bot. (Illustrated by the author; 2Jd net.) This is a new book by an unknown author, for whom we predict an interesting career. In , these days of sameness it is refreshing to find' an old subject treated in such a fresh and invigorating manner. There is a certain crudeness about the opening chapters that almost tempts one to put the book down, but as the author warms to his work it develops into a remarkably brilliant tmle. Portions are unfit for the amusement of infants; there* is an unnecessary minuteness -in describing much that is sordid, but the local colouring is remarkably correct. The story can only be thoroughly appreciated by those who have plenty of time at their disposal. The etyle is a remarkable mixture of Dan Leno and Sir Walter Scott. The hero, a wild, passionate, but lovable man, liven on the shore of a lake, and fishes, hunts, and in other ways earns a picturesque liveli1 hood during the winter months. In ta§ tfiltfisi

season he sails his gaily-painted yacht to and! fro upon the lake, and the tourists who refuse to pay the exorbitant fares demanded while in deep water supply the villains with which the tale bristles. As an easy solution of the difficulty, the hero robs them and drops them overboard. He fills all beholders with terror; his mouth is always full of nails and small daggers. These are to replace the buttons, that are 1 lost in the last struggle with the tourists. The descriptions of the beautiful Wakatipu maid are particularly good, perhaps the best in the book. The number of copies sold already amounts to 2003. Three the author bought— one for himself, »ne for the Otago Witness editor, and one for Devonshire Dumpling, a young lady whose sentiments were in sympathy with his own. One the Critic Club bought for the purpose of reviewing, but sold it after reading it to a young lady who wanted something soft to stuff a cushion with. One copy was sold to the president of * mutual improvement society, who, after examining the illustrations, mistook it for a study of Maori carving. lie book was read at a meeting of the said society, and the effect was marvellous. At the humourous pieces strong men wept and choked. The tender pathos, which is the ohief characteristic of the book, sent all listeners into agonies of laughter. It was most curious. , One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven, were sold to the members of some society, who are bound by unwritten laws to stand by each, other, and to which the author belongs. It is a mutual admiration society, and is known, as the D.L.F. Society. One copy still remains unaccounted for, and a large reward has been offered to the findar of the purchaser.' . Eminent; detectives have been at work, and doctors and brain specialists eagerly scan the police notices. Little has been discovered as yet. It has bees* • suspected, however, that the purchaser was a " certain old digger who lived on the river bank. When he last returned from his 'candle was burning all night. At tfbout 8 o'clock in < the morning* was heard a violent coughing, then a yell. It is 'supposed that the poor -old! - man tried to swallow the tale, and having accomplished it, his veasott fled shrieking into the river, where the poor old digger followed " it. All who Buffer from a conscience; or 'are ' tired of this world, we advise to read this book. If taken in small doses it is not at all harmful, but proves an excellent cure f~>r insomnia. Dear Dot, — Such was Dick's criticism of , Boy's proposed book. Tom's objection to criticising a book before having read.it carried no weight. "It was often done," Dick said,^ "else many favourable criticisms would never have - been writen." TAFFY. [It was with a feeling of Telief that I cam* to Taffy's footnote, as I had begun to think I must have been quite neglected in not having received a copy of Boy's 'entertaining book. Dick has evidently a very poor opinion of reviewers'.—DOT.] D.L.F. RIDDLES. By Soap, Starch, and Candles:— "Why "ara" sentries like day and night? By a Stately Poplar Tree :— When is a candle properly vexed? By Orio:— How has England shown herself {he most economical country in Europe? By Snipe:— (l) Why are cowardly soldiers like butter? (2) If I threw a stone into the water what would it become ? By Sharpshell:— (l) What is the differenca between a watchmaker and a gaoler? (2) What sort of gaiters would you explor* the Nile with? (3) What does the potter say to the clay? (4) What men always go to the wall? ANSWERS, TO LAST WEEK'S RIDDLES. By Short Shell:'— (1) One sells watches, and the other watches cells; (2) Alligators; (3) Beware; (4) Paperhangera. By Ivyleigh:— Wei. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. Temtea. — It is very good indeed in many respects, but there are some details in it tha» your kind friends would scarcely be pleased at seeing in print. I think it would be better to put it away for a year or two, and then rewrite it, for by that time you will be able to see things in a different light. What a particularly agreeable family they must be. I should think you quite Jook forward to spending another evening with them some time. If you were to show it to your father he would point out to you the defects I allude LITTLE FOLKS' BADGES. Badges have been Bent to Eileen A. Browne, Annie Duncan, M. Munro, Carrie Wilson, Lilian Ure, Joseph Pullar, G. Hughes.

— There are to-day in Canada Bom« 3008 cheese factories, with an annual aggregate output of 18,000,0001b of oheese, or an average of about 60001b per factory. . Floeilikel-Pob ih« Tboth akd BmzATH.-. A few drops of ihe liquid "Flonline sprinkled on a wet tooth brush produces * pleasant lather, which thoroughly ; cUsjjses tt» teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardeu. the gums, prevsnts Urtar, stops decay, jit« to ths teeth a peculiar pearly-whiteasss.aii* a delightful fragrance to ths breath. ItTemores all unpleasant rdaur ansixg *°™ tdecayed teeth or tobacco smoke. "Th« Fragrant Floriline," being composed in parta of Honey and sweet herbs, ia delicioua to «h« taste, and the greatest toile* diseovszy of th« age. Of all Chemists and Fsrfumsrt. whol«» sals depot, 89 FarrißC«k« mi **■■— EmmlmmA