LITERATURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 66

LITERATURE.

BOOK NOTICES. “The Puppet Master.” Mr Robert Nathan, with illustrations by A. W. Payne. John Lane, The Boaley Head (Ltd.). “The Puppet Master” is a little piece of life’s philosophy hidden in the trappings of motley and wire-work. By studying the characters an idea of this may be gained. Papa Jonas is the puppet master, an old man who has finished with experience and the active part of life, and through the medium of his wire-worked figures gives an explanation of life as he sees it reflected in the human beings around him and in his own thoughts. He is the voice of Wisdom, who directs the stage. He explains all that he exhibits, and with his broad, new views is an embodiment of Truth. His explanations of love and life are modern and sane. The other “humans ” in the cast are the Rev. Ur Twine, the orthodox parson, who affords a fine contrast to Papa donas, and by iiis argument encourages many of the latter s views to be voiced; Christopher Lane, Mrs Holly, and Amy May Holly. Christopher Lane is a poet, and incidentally the assistant of Papa Jonas. His mind is filled with dreams that will never materialise because of their vagueness, and with ambitions that he will never realise because of his lack of force. Mrs Holly, a young journalist, is longing for somebody to love her and satisfy the yearnings in her heart. She and Christopher naturally drift together, each seeing ill the other the realisation of his or her desires. It may be remarked that they wiil not find happiness. Mrs Holly, but for the longings that come upon her with the spring, is a practical person, demanding practical things to satisfy her; and Christopher, essentially a dreamer, will never be able to give them to her or be happy in the giving. Amy May, Mrs Holly’s daughter, is a pure delight. Influenced oy the teachings of Amelia Adams, the laundress, who is a stern Christian Scientist, she expresses in her childish language some strange views. She is keen, trusting, and lovable, the sort of little girl that one sees and is fond of every day in the week. She represents blind Fate, who through clumsy love and thoughtlessness works out the destinies of the toy figures by whom Papa Jonas moralises. The puppets are most interesting characters. Mr Aristotle, the little clown, who beneath his garb of motley cherishes the heart of a sage, is made to represent a wise man conquered by Nature, at whom he scoffs. Cynical and learned, he leads a solitary life of meditation. But he is the victim of circumstances. Annabelle Lee, the doll of Amy May Holly, marries him. She represents woman as the coquette and the vampire. By her wiles she woos Mr Aristotle from his learning, makiug him at last as desirous and eager for her as any vulgar mortal, and showing him to be only the clown in spite of his name and his knowledge. Besides these two are Mr Moses, the sensualist, who envies Mr Aristotle his position with Annabelle Lee; and Jane Demonstration, the white rabbit. This latter is the innocent victim on whom Mr Aristotle wreaks liis fury when he discovers the state of his feelings for Annabelle Lee and finds that now she will not reciprocate. The story is fascinating from start to finish. Its views are most original, and are-set forth in a quaint way that is both charming and refreshing. The beauty of wording makes one rejoice in reading it: “For, after all, one did grow older; life slipped out of one’s fingers. And lilacs were out in the south; all the country round about was green and white and sunny yellow. She wanted Spring to come to her heart, too, and it came in the city: with sweeter winds and brighter skies.” Or: “He saw the new moon overhead, cold and white in the green sky, the quiet, early stars, and the gloom below, among the houses, shadows tumbled upon shadows, black and solid, broken with yellow lights like yellow flowers.” It is a book that will be read lightly, but which will leave memories over which one will ponder long after it has been put away.

'‘Deer-stalking in Scotland.” By Alexander Inkson M'Connochie, F.Z.S. (author of “The Deer and Deer Forests of Scotland,” etc.), with introduction by his Grace the Duke of Atholl, K.T. (H. F. and G. Witherby, London.) This is a good-sized volume, with several illustrations of sportsmen and hunting scenes, price 10s 6d net. It will appeal to New Zealand deer-stalkers and other sport-lovers. The Duke of Athol], in a brief introduction, discusses the social aspect of deer-preserving in Scotland. Much fanatical and ill-informed attack has been directed against deer-preserving, he says; but in his opinion it will be an ill day for the Highlands and the manhood of a large section of the people if the sport is sacrificed either to ignorant prejudice or to the selfishness of those who desire an easier form of deer-shooting nearer their own doors. Deer forests should be maintained only on land unfitted for pasturing domestic animals, or at best capable only of feeding a few sheep in summer, and of this there are large areas in the Highlands. Ground fitted for crofters’ farms should be scheduled against deer. Sometimes both deer and crofters have been cleared away to make room for sheep-grazing, which in some of these places proved unprofitable, eo that the land reverted to deer. The influx of sporting visitors is an important source of profit to the Highlands. Mr M'Connochie gives an animated description of the delights of deer-stalking, and many detailed accounts of expeditions are included in the book. He defends the sport from the charge of cruelty,

but true animal lovers will remain unconvinced. Indeed, what Mr M’Connoehie says of the sympathy of deer for their wounded comrades will strengthen their antipathy to- the pursuit and killing of animals by way of sport. Deer, he says, have their special friends and companions. A couple of stags will chum together, and if one is shot the other will often return to see what evil lias befallen his friend, which kindly action is rewarded by the second barrel. “Perhaps the feeling of friendship is keener in the female than in the male. Could any stalker resist the opportunity of a shot when he sees a hind smelling at the body of her friend that he had to leave on the hill overnight?” Mr M'Oonnc-chie tells of two hinds sighted by his shooting party. One was bit, and after running a short distance stood still. The other, which had run further, halted for her friend, and step by step drew her on till both disappeared over the summit of the hill—the wounded one probably to perish of her hurt. In his lately-published novel “The Dream’’ IT. G. Wells directs some pungent satire against the sporting proclivities of English gentry. certain seasons of the year the great majority of the gentlemen of England, who were supposed to be the leaders and intelligence of the land, who were understood to guide its destinies and control its future, went out into the woods or on the moors to massacre birds of various sorts with guns —birds bred specially at great expense for the purpose of this slaughter. . . . The men of this class were in truth at just that level above imbecility where the banging of a gun and the thrill of seeing a- bird swirl and drop is inexhaustibly amusing. When Lord Bramble was not killing pheasants or grouse, he shot in the South of France at perplexed pigeons with clipped wings just let out of traps. Or be hunted—not real animal hunting, not a fair fight with bear or tiger or elephant in a jungle, but the chasing of foxes, small, stinking, red animals about the size of spaniels, -which were sedulously kept from extinction for this purpjse of hunting.” Mr Wells might concede that the sport of deer stalking brings into play more endurance and hardihood than those he selects for satire. The author of this book says that as a rule sportsmen kill only when the flesh of the deer will be utilised as venison. He speaks, too, of the enjoyment of Nature and the opportunities for Naturestudy open to the deer-stalker. But why not seek these more refined delights without the slaughter of Nature’s creatures as the main motive? To Mr Wells and many more people the question which cannot be answered satisfactorily is : Why at this stage of human progress should men, who have enjoyed all advantages of wealth and education, having open to them all the pleasures of art, literature, and travel, and a thousand forms of amusement, find their highest pleasure in the pursuit and slaughter of sentient creatures? The answer can only be that they are still very imperfectly civilised. The volume contains some account of deer-hunting in Otago, quoted from Captain T. E. Donne, C.M.G. CLASSIC REPRINTS. To hand are four more of the Bodlev Head quartos—reprints of classics, middleEnglish literature, in their original form. They are William Shakespeare’s “Tragicall Histone of Hamlet. Prince of Denmarke” (1603) ; Thomas Dekker’s “Vvonderfull Yeare. 1603, wherein is shewed a picture of London lying sicke of the Plague”; King James' the First’s “Daemonologie” (1597): and “Newes from Scotland, declaring the damnable life of Doctor Fian. a notable Sorcerer, who was burned at Edenbrough in lanuarie last” (1591); Robert Greene’s “Blacke Bookes Messenger” (1592) ; and “Cuthbert C ornv Catcher-—The Defence of Conny Catching” (1592). Facing the introduction in these books is a note telling where the original of the text is to be found and to what extent the reprint has been altered. Generally the- -original text is given word for word. The introduction gives a resume of the work and its author, with notes of reference to other books connected with t-he work. These quartos well minted and attractively produced, should be treasured possessions of the student of Elizabethan literature who aims to gain a concise understanding of the classics as they appeared in the speech and spelling of the period. Auction Bridge for Beeinners.” By A. B. C. (Stanley Paul and Co , Ltd.) This book is most lucid for a person desirous of playing well the game that is so popular to-day. Proceeding from an explanation of the most elementary terms to a discussion of the very intricate elements in the game, the book covers the whole ground of bridge as far as is necesBary for the average player, who is at the same time master of his hand. It will be a great help in card circles of to-day. SOME LIGHT FTCTION. The two novels now noticed—both from the firm of John Long—are fair specimens of contemporary light fiction. Both are rather short, and have conventional plots, with heroines of perfect loveliness and aristocratic surroundings, one of whom is in danger of being driven into a mercenary marriage, while the other marries the wrong man, who, after the heroine has suffered enough to supply interest for a sufficient number of chapters, very obligingly breaks his neck when hunting. I.—“ His Lady Secretary.” By John L. Garter. This story has more freshness and fewer improbabilities than the following one. Mr Carter is a very successful writer of light fiction: his stories are cheerful all through ; not unduly sentimental, and he writes with brightness and humour. His two last stories—“ Putting Mary Off ” and “Come Day, Go Day,” both particu-

larly sprightly and humorous—have had a run of popularity. The present story is more on the lines of the popular midVictorian love story, but the heroine, Lady Jar et Morgan, aged 19, refuses to be cajoled by her mother into marrying an uncongenial suitoi with £20,000 a year. She has allowed herself to become engaged to him, but when he issues an ultimatum that unless she consents to marry him within a fortnight he will break off the engagement, she runs away from home, and seeks to earn her living by clerical work. At her Bloomsbury boarding house she becomes acquainted with the secretary of her favourite novelist, Roger Cremorne, a 'best seller, slighted or disdainfully patronised by literary critics, but beloved by Janet and thousands of unsophisticated leaders. The secretary, who possesses the undistinguished name of Smith, is himself —unknown to his employer—an author, and. one of more power than Cremorne, and meeting with success he resigns, his position, and puts Janet in the way of becoming his successor. Of course the sequel is clear. But there is an obstacle —a standing engagement between Cremorne and his counsin Laura, a beautiful and charming young woman, who, nevertheless does not charm him. And she has long been worshipped by his late secretary. There are other complications, but the story ends with two pairs of lovers made happy. A bright, pleasant tale, which aims at nothing more than pleasing, and will be sure to please very many readers. 2.—“ Null and Void.” By Mina Holt. Mina Holt is known by “The Governor’s Romance,” “ Hounds, Women, and Wine,” and one or more previous novels. Her plots are of the conventional romantic order, and some of her stories display her experiences of the hunting field, as do the latter chapters of this one. The first scenes are laid on the Mediterranean coast of I ranee, in an old chateau in Roussillon, near the Pyrenees, with the snowclad peak of Canigou in full view. The heroine’s married home is in Somerset. As Inga Saint-Chely in I* ranee she meets John Harford, a man nearly double her age, w'ho falls passionately in love with her, and his friend, Sir brands Oliver, who also falls in love with her, and forestalls Harford in asking her in marriage. A beautiful widow' comes upon the scene, a professional singer, who is bent on marrying John Harford, and actuated by this motive schemes to get Inga married to Oliver, though aware of strong reasons against the marriage, bne reveals lverself to Inga as her mother, who heartlessly deserted husband and infant child. ‘ Inga’s adoptive mother, Madame Saint-Chely, on learning all the facts about Oliver—who suffers with a bullet in his brain, —and the trickery in connection with the marriage, says it is “ null and void,” and should be legally annulled. But, as said above, a convenient fatality enables the true lovers to be united" We are accustomed to find novelists performing strange feats with figures; nevertheless Mrs Alleyne’s statement when revealing to Inga the history of her parentage strikes (me as remarkable. “I am but 18 years older than you. I became your mother at 20.”