LITERATURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 62

LITERATURE.

BOOK NOTICES. "The History of the Anzacs •. An Historical Account of the Part taken by Australia and New Zealand in the Great War." Melbourne: James Ingram and Son. (Strong boards ; illustrations, maps; 4s 6d.) The object of this publication is to place before readers, especially in the southern dominions, a permanent and authentic account of the events which took place between the departure of the Australasian troops in August, 1914, and the evacuation of Gallipoli in December, 1915, and thus to record the gallant deeds of their soldier sons. It is well written, with great accuracy and care, each point being carefully made, but without exaggeration. The opening chapters show the danger to these countries involved in the German programme of " Hate " —a danger that was only slowly brought to the Australasian consciousness, and even now does not seem to be fully and universally grasped. Yet there can be no doubt that the organised teaching of violence and hate pursued for 40 years in every German university and school, and preached from every pulpit, had done its work so well that no part of the British Empire was safe; and, although we knew it not. our own fate trembled in the balance. Then, with the declaration of war and the enlightenment that followed, patriotism awoke, and the Sons of Empire claimed the right to stand beside the Motherland in her hour of danger; for they perceived that her danger was also their own, for there can be no doubt that, in case of invasion, " Belgium's fate would have been ours. Australasia would have suffered even greater horrors, were this humanly possible, than Belgium had suffered." The author then points out some of the great advantages accruing to these Dominions from a closer and ever closer connection with the Mother Country; and contrasts these advantages with German methods, not only to conquered countries, but even towards her own colonies, which are systematically exploited for the benefit of Germany herself instead of for their own evolution, while the plight of the conquered countries, Belgium, Serbia, etc., are an object-lesson to the world: Unless Germany were beaten outright, Australia-and New Zealand would never be free from the peril of invasion ; they would have to live hi continuous fear and tension, and, peace-loving though they might be, would have to turn themselves into an armed camp for several generations. An unbeaten Germany might even Teutonise Australasia without in the first instance making war: she could attempt to do so by political pressure, "peaceful penetration," and an enforced policy of emigration, until the Commonwealth fell, like an over-ripe

peach, into the hands of the conqueror

The colonial troops had indeed their work cut out not only to help the Motherland, but to protect themselves, and, in furtherance of that object, to go wherever their services seemed likely to be most valuable. Subsequent chapters tell how the colonial troops were sent, first to Egypt and thence to Gallipoli, with a detailed description of their gallant deeds in both places, of the great battles of Acha Baba, Sari Bair. Suvla Bay, etc., and of all those deeds which won for them the splendid, highly-cherished name of "Anzacs." Nor are the actual fighting men the only ones whose noble deeds are here commemorated : the chaplains, doctors, nurse.', stretcher-bearers, ambulance men, dospatch-riders, etc., all have a wellearned place in this Memorial Volume. The five maps are of great value. Four were drawn expressly for this work, and will be of interest to all future students of the Gallipoli campaign; and special attention should be drawn to the relief

map (page 52), photographed from a map belonging to the Minister of Defence, and showing more clearly than any words could do the terrible nature of the natural obstacles with which our men had to contend, the wonder being that one of f/' cnl survived the heroic undertaking. "The Rtory of the Anzacs" is an entirely Australasian publication. It has been written, printed, and bound, in the Commonwealth. The first edition is printed on paper made in Australia. The book contains a page specially arranged for the insertion of the names' of relatives and friends who have served the Empire in the Great War. Nothing is wanting to make it a very complete and valuable souvenir of a great epoch.

"The Vision Splendid."' By John Oxenham. London : Methuen and Co. (Paper, Is net.) This another of Mr John Oxenham's delightful little books of seasonable verse, uniform with "Bees in Amber," "All's Well," and "The King's Highway." The volume is aptly dedicated "To all those who are looking forward with earnest expectation and steadfast determination to the emergence from the present chaos of a cosmos worthy of God and humanity in this twentieth century of the Christian era." The trend of the verses is optimistic, but not foolishly so. They breathe a sincere conviction of the ultimate triumph of good over evil, and a humble acknowledgment of our need of purgation both as a nation and as individuals. Mr Oxenham is strong in his hope that the new life after the war will " be regulated on the broad basis of the best for each and all, and all the forces of reaction that strive .against that will

have to go. ... If this fierce flame free us from the ruinous wastage of drink, from the cancer of immorality, from the shame of our housing system, both in town and country; if it bring about a fairer apportionment of the necessaries of life—a living wage to all workers, leisure to enjoy, and opportunities to progress and possess, —our great sacrifice will have been turned to everlasting gain." Of the fighting men and their helpers Mr Oxenham has nothing but praise and encouragement, and in the name poem, "The Vision Splendid," he sets forth " The vision of a world redeemed from sin." Here—or hereafter —you shall see it ended, This mighty work to which your souls are set: If from beyond—then, with the vision splendid, You shall smile back and never knowregret. Be this your vision—through you is life transfigured, Uplift, redeemed from .its forlorn estate, Purged of the stains which once the soul disfigured, Healed and restored and wholly consecrate. O, not in vain has been your great endeavour : For, by yoiir dyingis, Life is horn again; And greater love hath no man tokened ever, Than with his life to purchase Life's high gain. In the poem entitled " What Did You See Our There, My Lad?" we catch a glimpse of the evil which stalks even the battleplain, "wiling the souls of men"; and in such poems as " The Cross Roads" we find a solemn warning of the danger of the taking of opposing roads " when the fighting is over." By the unity that is strength— We can make this Britain of ours The happiest land on earth, Where all men strive for the good of all, And none shall suffer dearth. We are here at the cross-roads—waiting: We claim of our right, fair play: Shall we work as we did in the trenches, Or win by the rough, red way? " His Mexican Wife." By Arthur Applin. London, Melbourne, etc. : Ward, Look, and Co. (Cloth, illustrated, 45.) Sir John Boddington, a wealthy baronet of good family and position, living on the'best of terms with his wife, grownup son and daughter, is threatened with the exposure of youthful follies by the appearance of a beautiful young woman, who claims to be his legitimate child by a long dead and forgotten Mexican wife, whom Boddington had carried off from a drunken father, having first silenced that gentleman's objections by a welltimed bullet. The kidnapper had insisted on marrying the girl, and had been recalled to 'England a few months later' bv the death of his father. Such was the past with which the prosperous, midcile-aged baronet was confronted by the advent of Miriam Guryado and her two stout protectors, who claimed that they had cared for her since her mother's death, and had now brought her to England, to obtain her " rights." Sir John had forgotten the Mexican epicKjde, and feels no stirrings of parental affection towards his unknown daughter, merely terror of the effects of her sudden appearance on his unsuspecting family. In this dilemma he applies for aid to a private detective, who proves a dangerously-well-informed blackmailer. The situation is further complicated by the shortcomings of George Boddington, Sir John's only son, who inveterate gambler and gentle-man-iockey. The father, .after much bleeding, * refuses to help George any more, when the young man endeavours to make off with some of the famny Jewels. He is stopped in time by the presence and voice of a mysterious, unseen woman, who murmurs, ' Put those back. It's not worth it. It s never worth it. Put them back " The boy obevs—overcomes the temptation, and sets forth in search of the woman, with no clue but the musical voice and a pervading, pungent scent like Art of "mrze blooms In early summer." The search tikes him far but is ultimately successful. At the same time his father's difficulties Tare cleared away, and the whole Boddington family restored to peace and prosperity.