LITERATURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 62

LITERATURE.

• BOOK NOTICES. " The Uprooters." By J. A. T. Lloyd. London : Stanley Paul and Co. (Cloth; 65.)

The clash between the past and the •present, the old and the new, the narrow autocracy and the widespreading democracy, seen in various types and under various circumstances, is the theme of this book; and, of course, "the Uprooters," as they are called, play a large part in it. They are not always of the blatantly aggressive type advertising their objects in capital letters. Sometimes they hardly know themselves what they are doing, yet they are steadily loosening the soil around the great roots of capitalism, privilege, monopoly, and feudalism, and sometimes —it seems to be inevitable —they root up with them the beautiful, delicate plants of home life and home happiness. Our author gives us examples of both kinds, first in order being the boisterous German-American, Schwartz, with his reputation as a millionaire, his fierce peace propaganda, his luxurious white touring cai'i and his army of well-paid assistants scouring the whole of Europe spreading the dangerous literature of untrammelled revolt. Then comes Sonia Evors, the Russian woman with the English name, whose aims are pure and passionate, tinged with, the fury of the nihilist, 'the lofty patriotism, the strange religious fervour, the deep pessimism, the eternal hope, and the uncalculating self-sacrifice, which is Russia. Then we have the Irish girl, who burns to arouse her countrymen from their age-long indifference, even if it be but to the extent of preaching better housing and the value of intensive cultivation. These and a few minor personages are the more ostensible " Uprooters," while Vera Elton, the young wife of. Major Elton, a middle-aged soldier retired from active service, and deeply occupied 'in preparing an important book on the defences of the Empire, and Alys Ormsby, the major's voluntary secretary, head the list of the less unconscious iconolasts. Vera is full, of the modern unrest and search for personal happiness, clear-sighted and introspective, questioning her own motives and those of others, unwilling or unable to take anything on trust. She has a bad heredity on both sides, and has suffered a good deal before marriage from the petty persecutions of her guardian's wife. When introduced to the reader in a Paris hotel Vera and her husband are on their way to settle down at Elton Woods, his large estate in the West of Ireland, where his two unmarried sisters await them. The El tons are returning from a lon<* three years' honeymoon spent in different parts of the Empire in collecting materials for the monumental book. Vera has had a "good time" and constant variety. Already the shadow of coming isolation and loneliness is upon her, and she is beginning to dread the ancestral home of which she has heard so much, and in which she knows she will be " cooped up" and smothered by the conventional feudalism of the Elton traditions. In Paris they become acquainted with Claude Ormsby and his sister. Claude is an artist, with more than the conventional temperament. He has fallen under the influence of Sonia Evors, and the Misses Elton, who are deeply interested in the young man, implore their brother and his wife to separate him from Sonia and induce him to go back to Ireland. This proves a fatal error, as Claude soon transfers his erratic affection from Sonia to Vera, and later on, in the isolation of Elton Woods, the lonely young wife finds a certain amount of diversion in this dangerous flirtation. The story wrought from these materials is unusual and intensely interesting. The plot is full of pathetic and romantic incidents, and the characters are strongly individualised. Vera, too much alone, with no legitimate occupation, since she does not like to take her place as mistress in her own house, lest it should vex her sisters-in-law, becomes moody, suspicious, and finally jealous, while her husband, intensely occupied with his work and the danger to the Empire which he forsees, shuts himself up during the greater part of the day with his " invaluable" secretary, who becomes more and more indispensable to him. He is not in love with her. To him she is no more than a useful machine, but Vera's jealousy is aroused, and in a passion of despair she leaves the house and becomes a lonely " femme seule" in Paris. Schwartz tries to- enlist her among his army of avowed "Uprooters," but she is proof against the temptation. Then comes the war, the final reunion of husband and wife, and the conclusion.: " Home and children—that is the best, as Ulysses said long ago." " Every woman knows that, but, of course, it sounds wise from a man." "Dick." By Mary Grant Bruce. London, Melbourne, Toronto, etc.: Ward,Lock, and Co. (Cloth, illustrated, 55.) Dick Lester is an Australian boy brought up in the mingled solitude and bustle of a big out-back station. _ His mother is young enough to share in his occupations" and amusements, and they are most excellent pals. His father is in England on business, which threatens to detain him much longer than he expected, and he therefore writes home suggesting that Dick should go to a big boys' school in Melbourne and learn to hold his own among other young people of his own age and standing. This is a blow to both mother and sonj but they see that it is Avise and iust, and make up their minds to make 'the best of it. Dick is just 12; strong, capable, and self-reliant, as are most°colonial boys; and to make the most of his short remaining holiday he and his mother go for some delightful excursions, among which they pay a visit to some caves whose situation is known but which have never been fully explored. Here they have a series of thrilling adventures; lose their way for a time, and Dick, while looking for an falls headlong

through a crevasse and is at once hidden from his mother's view, and apparently buried alive. She calls and listens eagerly, but can hear no sound, and then sets to work to try and remove the stones, which defy her feeble efforts, and only wound and lacerate her poor hands. Suddenly she hears the boy's voice. He has found another way of escape; and deeply thankful, but much bruised and shaken, they find their way back to the homestead just as a search party is being organised for the rescue. They go to Melbourne, where Dick is taken to the theatre and other amusements. Then follow his entrance into the new world of school, his relations with boys and masters, his wise and unwise friendships, some acts of tyranny, a false accusation and triumphant acquittal, and many other incidents, which will be read with great interest by many young people of both sexes, who rejoice in a tale of adventure, especially when the locality is brought near to them and apparently just within their reach. "Dick" is an excellent picture of one phase of colonial life —that of the well-placed, wealthy runholder. It is as gQgd as anything which the talented author has yet given to the public, and will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome from her many friends and admirers. "Dawn Asper." By Rhoda Reynolds. " When Nuggets Glistened." By Arthur Wright. Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co. (Paper, picture cover, Is each.) The last two additions to this popular series are in every way worthy of their predecessors. Miss Reynolds's heroine is the daughter of a melancholy farmer, whose whole conduct towards his neighbours from the day when he suddenly appears among them suggests that some crime or heavy trouble is weighing upon him. He 'tries to isolate himself from all society, and brings up his little daughter to help him on the farm, dressing her as a boy. A kindly neighbour takes compassion on the" lonely girl, taking her to a few dances and other amusements. Dawn soon makes friends and lovers. One day her father disappears mysteriously, and leaves her to her fa'te, and she has some thrilling adventures before she discovers his hiding place, and learns his terrible secret. Mr Wright's story is a tale of adventure, pure and simple, in the early good-digging days. Every chapter is full of incident. It opens with a fatal card party and an abduction ; there is a shipwreck with hairraising episodes among the castaways; some stories of the early days at Ballarat, and other thrilling episodes. The reader who likes a story with plenty of go and action will find both of these very satisfactory.