THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3332, 23 January 1918, Page 55

THE WEEK.

Australian affairs have been very much, to the fore of late, and not altogether to the credit of Australia. I must confess that I take a good deal of interest in tho possible future of that country, and often ■wonder what the Australians are going to make of themselves as a nation. Present indications make one speculate as to whether the national pride of which I spoke last week will be justified; but anyway,, the speculation lends an interest to things Australian, and this week I have in mind to write of an Australian novel that I read the other day" and enjoyed more than I have enjoyed a novel for a long time. It is "Paul Strange," by Louise Brown. I don't know who Louise Brown may be, but she can write. She can tell an arresting story, she can make her characters seem real flesh-and-blood, and there is a spico of wit and humour in some of the conversation which make them very good reading. I do not like the hero's Christian name —there are so many "Pauls" in novels nowadays—nor the haunting feeling that one had met him before somewhere, due to his family resemblance to other heroes who rise from obscurity to a position of dazzling prominence In political life, and I also cannot help thinking that to have actually two heroines of such surpassing beauty as Philippa and Barbara to play with was too much for any young man; .but barring these little details I found the book extremely interesting. I think this 'was partly owing to the scene being laid in Melbourne, which is fairly new ground for Australian writers. We have had plenty of Sydney, and of the nevernever country, but in Paul Strange, we are introduced to the social and political life of Melbourne, which, be it remembered, is the political centre not only of a State but of the Commonwealth. The book does not begin there,_ though. It begins over in South Australia, where Paul, a boy, lives on the farm called "Donovan's"' with his father, an English "remittance-man," and Ms Australian-born mother. Mary Strange is one of the finest characters that any novelist has created, but no finer than many real women. It is she. with some help from Paul, who does the entire work of the little farm —buying and selling stock, ploughing and sowing and reaping—neither asking for nor accepting any assistance from the well-born and highly educated, but otherwise worthless, man whom she took an odd pride in being able to call husband. Paul owed much to her besides the few hundred pounds which, sovereign by sovereign, she had accumulated for his education when he grew older. Under the guidance of Professor Trent, when chance led far afield from Melbourne to the coast iiear "Donovan's" for his annual camping. holiday, the money is well spent, and after an interval we find Paul well established in Melbourne, a rising young barrister at thirty, having chosen that profession principally as a stepping-stone to politics. The Trcnts are perfectly delightful, both the absent-minded professor and Elizabeth, his wife. The Professor is only absent-minded in some things. Although "his hats varied with visits that he paid and received," he had a better memory for friends, and he never forgot a face nor a name, nor the right words to say to anyono who needed help and sympathy. Elizabeth helps him with theselatter things, sets right any mistakes, and makes his home as comforiable as man could desire. With them lives Bar* bara Wentworth, their ward and niece.

The other heroine is Philippa Maifcland, luilf-sistor to Eric Winthrop, who is i>y way of being villain of the pieca Barbara, Paul h*s known from the day when, a banned find ragged hi tie chap or 14, lie discovers the camping party on the shore. Philippa, beautiful, artistic, and at the time heartless, bursts upon him suddenly, just when his fortunes were rising well. The two women appeal to different sides of his nature, and the struggle between their m opposing forces makes a story so dramatic in its intensity that at times it only just escapes being melo-dramatic. It is, indeed, the principal theme of the book—that of . Paul's first essay in political life. The glimpse we get behind tho scenes of Australian State politics is Suite interesting, though one is sorry for r 10 disillusionment that eventually comes to Paul. He is of the younger generation, full of ideals and aspirations for the betterment of humanity, and ho joins the party that ho thinks also possesses those

ideals and aspirations, only to find that its members, like other political parties, have their own ends to gain, and are not particular about the means. One of those big strikes which are so costly to the trade and industry of Australia is a feature of the tale, and has an important bearing both on Paul's political career and on his love affairs. I should like to tell you the end of the story, but I won't, in case any of you may wish to read it for yourselves. I should certainly advise you to do so if you like a weft-told tale about very human men and women, and if you want to learn something of the spirit and soul of Australia. ELIZABETH. To remove iron-mould from linen, make a solution of salts of lemon and warm water. After applying this mixture to the stain the article should be well rinsed in cold water and left to dry.