COSY CORNER CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 3831, 16 August 1927, Page 67

COSY CORNER CLUB.

FOURTH MEETING. FIRST INSTALMENT OF PAPERS. « THE MOST INTERESTING BOOK I HAVE LATELY READ.” Dear Comrades of the Cosy.Corner,—This month’s topic is a popular one, and I am gure that the accounts contributors send of books that have lately given them pleasure will be read with interest and appreciation. I am glad that some writers have gone outride the field of fiction, though it is only to be expected that when such a scheme is proposed novels will be chosen more frequently than any other class of book. Now J will open the meeting with Josephine's account of a book that deals imaginatively With famous characters and events. ESTHER. * * * “ THE DIVINE LADY.” Dear Esther, —"Without hesitation I cau jay that the book I have most enjoyed of late is “ The Divine Lady," which is really the life of Lady Hamilton. It is a most fascinating book, for the writer—Barrington by name —has a charm which is given to few. In the most interesting manner the authoress has intermingled history and romance, and we see Lady Hamilton in every phase of her varied life. I had previously read much that was not complimentary of this famous lady ; her “ attitudes ” and her lovers, and her influence over Nelson, but I found this story of her life of wonderful •charm and interest. One gets an insight into the life of the artist Romney, who loved her as a father, and to whom she brought much happiness; and we also get a most vivid picture of the social life in Naples at that time. One thing I did not realise before is the fact that Lady Hamilton did wonderful work for England, and it was her splendid loyalty and assistance that inspired Nelson’s love for her. Some say that Nelson and his own wife were somewhat estranged before he came under the spell of Lady Hamilton. I have read that she was such a cold woman by nature that Nelson was really heart-starved. Certainly the denouncement was one of the most extraordinary to be found in the history of any public man. Anyone interested in English history should read this story, and anyone who loves the old Motherland will agree that much should be forgiven for the sake of what she did for England. Miss Barrington is a Canadian woman, and she has written several books in which the leading characters are well-known people. “ The Glorious Apollo,” tells the story of Byron’s life; and ‘‘ The Exquisite Perdita,” the life of Mrs Robinson, an actress in the reign of George 111. I have heard it said that these two books do not compare favourably with “ The Divine Lady.” JOSEPHINE. The book must be a most interesting one, Josephine. In judging Lady Hamilton wc should make allowances for the unfortunate circumstances of her early life.—-Esther.

* ■» * DIKE'S SCHOOL.

Dear Easter, —I will try and condense down to our space limit “ The University of Hard Knocks,” by Ralph Parlctte. The greatest school is the University of Hard Knocks. Its books are bumps; every bump is a lesson. If we learn the lesson with one bump we do not get that bump again. We do not need it, we have travelled past it, so get promoted to the next bump. The tuition in the University of Hard Knocks is not free. Experience Is the dearest teacher in the world. We matriculate in the cradle; wo never graduate. When we stop learning we arc due for another bump. There are-'' two colleges—the College of Needless Knocks, the other of Needful Knocks. We attend both colleges. The voice of wisdom says to each of us : “ Child of humanity, do right, you will be wiser and happier.” But we are not compelled to walk in the right path, we wander off; it is so easy to go downward. Anything that goes downward will run itself. Going down the wrong path we get bumped harder and harder until we listen. We arc lucky when we learn the lesson with one bump. Down the great white way of the world go the million prodigals, seeking happiness where nobody ever found it. Every time we do wrong we get a needless knock. The tuition ii. the College of Needless Knocks is very high indeed. But occasionally all of us get bumps that we do not bump into. They run into us, and are the guideboard knocks that point us to the higher pathway. We all must learn that these blow;s are lessons in the College of Needful Knocks. We are raw material, so must have the needful knock to make us more useful and valuable. There is no gold that has not been refined in the fire. There is no backward step in life. Whatever experiences come to us are truly new chapters of our education if we are willing to learn them. We grew more in lean years than in fat years. In fat years we put it in our pocket, | in lean years we put it in our hearts. All the people of the world are in the great barrel of life on the way to the market place of the future. It is a corduroy road, and the barrel shakes all the time sending small people down and great people up. Greatness is measured in spiritual terms; it is life expansion. We go up by- our own personal efforts, sacrifice, and struggle. We cannot be born great: “ Whosoever will be great among you let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief among you let him be your servant.” Get the best tools you can, but remember diplomas arc not an education, they are merely preparations. When we are through with the books we are having a commencement, not an endrnent. Go out with your fine equipment from your commencements into the school of service, and write your education in the only book you ever can know —the book of experience. We come into this world like the fiddle comes from the factory. We have no strings, we have no bow, yet. When the human fiddles go through the primary schools and up through the grammar grades there comes the coinmmencement, and the violin comes forth with the E, A, D, and G strings all in place. All the book and college can do is to give the strings; after that the violin must go into the great tuning school of life. Here the pegs are turned and the strings are put in tune. And you are going to learn the wonderful lesson through the years, the bumps and the tears, that all these things somehow are necessary to promote our education. These bumps and tragedies and Waterloos draw the strings of the soul tighter and tighter to God’s great concert pitch, where the discords fade from our lives, and where the music divine, and harmonies celestial come from the same strings that had . een sending forth noise and discord. Thus we know that our education is progressing, as the evil and unworthy go out of lives, peace and harmony come in. That is getting in tune, that is growing up. We are not growing old, we are going up to eternal life.

You have given an excellent summary of valuable and inspiring teaching, Fay. Still, I don’t think life’s plan is so simple as your author represents. It is hard to see how the sufferer can learn and profit from some of the worse ills of life. Unfortunately it is most certainly not true that "every time we do wrong we get a needless knock. Payment is often deferred, and the wrong doer may never be conscious of making it. Esther. * * * •• IN A SHANTUNG GARDEN.” Dear Esther, —While the wind whistles round the corners, and the rain beats on the panes, I’ll write my contribution to this meeting. I am fond of reading, and will try to tell something of a Chinese story 1

read lately—■“ In a Shantung Garden,” by Louise Miln. Tom Gale, a young American, is sent to China to attend to his father's business affairs. He wonders if he will meet a Chinese youth he had befriended at college. He eventually goes to stay at a monastery in Shantung, and while chasing a butterfly, follows it into the grounds of a Chinese noble, termed sash-wearer. Here he meets a Chinese girl in Western garb, who instantly recognises him as the friend of her brother. He has wandered into the garden of the Yo’s. His Chinese friend was Yo Ki. In China the surname is first, Christian name last. In fact most of their customs are just the opposite of ours. He is taken to meet the rest of the Yo’s, where he is treated royally. In China the grandmother is head of the house, and is termed the Honourable Old One. He is fed by her, and afterwards taken to his home with all honour in a palanquin, and followed by a large cavalcade. This visit is returned in the morning a few days later, when Madame Yo accompanies her son. Later the Yo’s give a garden party, where everything is on a most lavish scale. One morning the eldest daughter takes Gale to the Yo burial ground. Here instead of placing flowers she places rice and fowl, and lights prayer papers. On the way home she tells him of Yo Ki’s dead marriage ; he had died at college. His dead body had been married to the dead daughter of a nobleman of the same rank, and a living son adopted. Marriage and motherhood are two of the main things in China. A Chinese loves first his mother, then his wife after she bears him a son. On a trip to the Tomb of the Sage Gale finds that a bomb is placed to destroy it. This desecration he stops by dropping the bomb in a deep waterhole. This is supposed to have been the work of the hated Nipponese. One of these has played on the feelings of the youngest daughter of the Yo’s, and forces her to spy on her father and his friends. They are the owners of a wonderful gold mine. Yo is of Young China, and his daughters have their freedom. The youngest is kidnapped by this son of Nippon, and is saved by Gale and his friends. I enjoyed reading this book, as it is a story charmingly told, and to me, very interesting in its description of Chinese customs. A romance runs through the book, but it would be just as interesting, I am sure, without. The description of the province and the numerous humourous pieces also makes it good reading. SHENAC.

China is a particularly interesting country at the present time, Shenac, and one is glad to know about well-written books that help us to understand it.—Esther. * * * ••THE MISTRESS OF SHENSTONE. Dear Esther, —There is one book that I have read many times, “ The Mistress of Shenstone,” by Florence L. Barclay. It is a heart to heart book, full of the emotions and problems of life, and in such a book (as in my dream house) I can live, love,

suffer, and enjoy just as if it were my own particular life story. In Mrs Barclay's books, as in Mrs Diver’s, one is continually coming across old friends and acquaintances, and in “ The Mistress of Slienstone ” we meet Sir Deryck Brand, the famous nerve specialist, and Mrs Dalmain (nee the Hon. Jane Champian), plain of face, and wearing starched collars, big boots, and tailor-mades, the heroine of "The Rosary,” who went through the fire herself in those old days, but solved the great problem of her life, ami is now a happy wife and mother, and a tower of strength to all in need, as also is Sir Deryck Brand, whose patients are all his friends, ami whose friends sometimes become bis patients. The story commences with Myra. Lady Ingleby, as heroine, deploring to Sir Deryck Brand her shortcomings, or what she thinks arc her shortcomings, as a fit mate for Lord Ingleby, the thinker, inventor, scholar, and saint. To Lady Ingleby, little Peter, her husband's toy dog, was nearer to his heart than she, his wife, although he was patience, kindness, and toleration itself. He had married Myra to free her from the tyranny of her home. But she. during those 10 years of her married life, remained outside the citadel of his inner self At this juncture, news conies from the war office that Michael Ingleby- has been killed by the blunder of a comrade, while trying out one of his inventions. Little Peter had sensed the catastrophe that ended his master's life, and had moped and refused food for 24 hours before the news came through, and was dead the next morning in an old coat of his master’s. Such was the bond between man and dog. The name of the man who committed the blunder was suppressed, and Myra declined to hear it. Seven months later, after a nervous breakdown, Dr Brand orders her to drop her identity completely, leaving all cares behind her, and go to a little Hage (Tregarth), on the Cornish coast for a rest cure. So Myra takes the name of her maid, Mrs O’Mara, who also lost her husband in the same siege, and goes away incognito. Staying at the little inn among others is Jim Airth, one of nature’s gentlemen, a noble soul, whose own past has been a very unhappy one but who is now free. One of the most beautiful events of the story occurs when Jim Airth rescues Myra from the danger of drowning by cutting holes in the cliff and climbing to a ledge until the tide goes out. Here they both come to know that each through the other is at last to partake of the best. Just imagine those two noble souls with all those years behind them, to meet and blend at last. But, alas, for the awakening. Upon going back to their ordinary walks of life Jim Airth seeks an interview with the widow of Lord Ingleby. When Myra reveals her real identity Jim Airth rushes away, asking for time to think, and returns later; but in the meantime it is made known to Myra that the one who had blundered at the siege, causing Lord Ingleby's death, is Jim Airth, and Jim, returning in a fit of foolish pride, leaves Myra, refusing to marry her just because of that accident, although Myra, with a true sense of justice, is broken-hearted at his action. Time goes on, and Jim at last sees things in a right light, and decides to tell Myra so, when he receives a wire from her to come at once. She has a cable that Michael, her husband, is still alive, and coming home. She is overjoyed at being able to tell Jim that he is not guilty of the error laid at his door, Howe-er. Jim does not rejoice at the good news, and in an uncontrolled moment avows that Myra belongs to him. and will go with him instead of being Lord Ingleby’s wife. Then Myra's high ideal of what love should be, being outraged, she drives Jim away in anger and bitter scorn, for Mvra is loyal and good to the core, aspiring to the very highest. Here Jane Dalmain comes in, and reasons with Myra; Jane, who understands human nature as few do, pleads with her to give Jim another chance and test him, and if he fails then to let him go. Then another cable arrives announcing that Lord Ingleby is really dead, and that a former valet of his had been arrested for impersonating his master as a means of obtaining a large sum of money. So when Myra consents to see Jim and forgive him (as he thinks), she clings to him saying she will never leave him again. In agony of soul ’iir thinks he has pulled her down in the mud, and in remorse he seeks to flee, but Myra still clings and shows him the latest cable. So the story ends. RUNNING WATER. I have read " The Rosary,” but not its successor, " Running Water?’ Of course one cannot judge a book fairly without reading it, but the way the author winds up her story seems to me weak and artificial. Jim is shown as a poor, unbalanced character.— Esther.

* * * •• POWER TO SUCCEED.”

Dear Esther, —I suppose everybody desires to make a success of life. The tramp has this object in view when he strives to exist without work, ancT so has the busy man, who, by the utilisation of modern methods and machinery, endeavours to do a week’s

work in a day. Artists and' writers, tradesmen and professional men, all concentrate more or less on the attainments of success. And because the desire to succeed is so widespread, I have no hesitation in bringing to your notice a booklet entitled “ Power to Succeed,” by H. T. Hamblin. To this booklet J. R. Todd has written an introduction, in which he says : “ Whenever I think of the life story of Henry Thomas Hamblin—the author of this booklet—l am reminded of a certain figure to be encountered in every chapter of the story of our race. This figure is the pathfinder. . . The author of this booklet has touched success at more than one point. Let me indicate one phase in particular. With a scanty education, no influence, feeble health, and amidst the fierce competition of modern life, he achieved a substantial business success. Yet he came to see that a successful business, with its concomitant, the making of money, was not really complete success for him. By thinking, seeking and suffering, by pursuing a long, lonely trail, Henry Thomas Hamblin found that success for him was something greater and more solid than a prosperous career, and the accumulation of money. It was revealed to him at last that true success is a spiritual, undying, eternal thing—a something that belongs not to one phase or department of life, but “ to all that is meant by life itself.” Wise words, these, for they clearly show why success, when based on vain and selfish aims, is really not worth, striving for, and that if one would make a true success of life one must aim considerably higher. Mr Hamblin reduces the essentials of success to three things, namely, faith, vision, and service. He says: “If a man has no faith in himself he is indeed in a poor way, and no success can come to him. All who would be successful in their calling must have faith in their power to succeed. They must be so convinced of this that no failure or setback can ever shake their confidence. One who would succeed must have such faith in his power to success that, even though the whole world be against him, he will remain undaunted.” Such faith gives continuity of action along a given line, and this is one of the secrets of achievement, and the first essential of success. Mr Hamblin says in regard to the next essential; “ Achievement of anything not only demands faith, it also requires vision. Other things being equal, the man of greatest achievement is the man of largest vision. ‘ First in the unseen then in the seen ’ is a law of the universe." About service the author says : “If a man’s occupation is of no service to the community it languishes and dies out. When a person’s methods become obsolete he ceases to serve effectively, consequently he is superseded by competitors who are more efficient, and serve the community better.” " Whatso-

ever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” if not in one way then in another. This is a condemnation; it is also a glorious promise. We sho'Td therefore see that our aim in life is ever a noble one. ORLANDO.

You have chosen a book of practical value, Orlando. The writer evidently does not undervalue business success, but shows that it is only a part of success in life.— Esther. <♦ * * “ THE STRANGE FAMILY.” Dear Esther, —This month’s topic would be a most interesting one if I could decide which book I have found most interesting. Almost every story has had some interesting theme. However, as I must limit my choice to one particular book I will mention “ The Strange Family,” by E. 11. Lacon-Watson. The title is attractive, and the book does not disappoint. It is of what I think is called the “chronicle” type, beginning with the early childhood of the hero, Rudolf Strange, and of Elsie, his only and elder sister. They are motherless, and as Canon Strange, their father, is much occupied with his parish work, Rudolf is rather lonely, until the Canon brings Jonny Waring, the son of the local blacksmith, to live at the rectory. Elsie rather despises her brother, so for companionship he is thrown entirely upon Jonny. Jonny is a brilliant mathematician, and the Canon, having an idea of sending him with Rudolf to Cambridge, takes in pupils. These are o ercy Cudden and Reginald Hicks. Percy is a generous and lovable character, though rather theatrical in his i ways. He is popular with all at the rectory. Reginald, on the other hand, is detested by all except Elsie and her governess. About Elsie there was a strange charm that influenced all with whom she came into contact. How she altered the course of the careers of Jonny, Percy, and Reginald is very charmingly told. The book ends while Jonny and Rudolf are still at Cambridge, but there is a sequel, “ Rudolf Strange,” which, no doubt, will prove as interesting as the first book. For those who like a natural story, convincingly told, I would advise " The Strange Family.” LAVENDER.

I read this story some time back, Lavender, and thought it very interesting and well written. You have given a good account of it in small compass.—Esther. ' * * * “ THE STAR RIVER.” Dear Esther, —I have read no very interesting book just lately, and so must hark back to an old favourite, one of Jack London’s best, but not best-known, works, “ The Star River.” When I first read the book nearly two years ago, it captured my imagination utterly, and subsequent readings have only strengthened the first impression. It is not likely that the book would be a general favourite. More than one friend to whom I have lent it objected to the “ horrors " of it, others have found it frankly uninteresting. The central theme, the slow but unremitting torture of a life-prisoner in the " solitary ” dungeons of the California prison of San Quentin, is indeed terrible —past all expression, but on this gloomy thread are strung some half-dozen episodes, glowing jewels of colour and imagination, splendours that banish the shadows of Darrell Standing’s prison hell. The book, one can scarcely call it a novel, takes the form of an autobiography, wherein the writer details his experiences as a “ lifer ” in solitary confinement at the prison of San Quentin ; experiences rendered the more horrible because of a mistaken idea, entertained by the prison authorities, that he, Darrell Standing, is concealing dynamite with which to wreck the prison. The dynamite has no existence except in the imagination of the prison warden, and he has been deceived by the story of a cowardly “ stool,” or informer, who has invented the “ dynamite ” tale to further his own ends. On the one side are the authorities brutal and rendered doubly vindictive by fear ; .the other the prisoner, helpless in body but invincible in spirit, cursed by all and sundry because he will not reveal the hiding place of the dynamite, which he well knows is not and never was in existence. Even his fellow-prisoners in “ solitary,” with whom he learns to communicate by tapping on the cell walls, believe in the dynamite, and applaud his courage in defying the warden’s threats and execution of the most horrible punishments. The worst of all is the “ jacket,” an infernal contrivance for constricting the whole body unbearably, a punishment much used for refractory prisoners, although forbidden by the law. Standing finds the pain of the “ jacket,” to which he is sentenced for days at a time, wellnigh unbearable until one of his fellow-prisoners teaches him the trick of the “little death,” a-species of selfhypnotism that puts the body into a trance while the spirit or consciousness is at liberty to roam where time and space are non-existent. “ All my life,” says Standing, “ I have had an awareness of other times and places. I have been aware of other persons in me.” In his childhood vague dreams of other times and places come over him, in the torture of his manhood the memory of his many former lives gate him respite from the present. Truly, with such power as his, stone walls did not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage. The cruel warder was astounded and exasperated that long periods in the '‘jacket,” which

were intended to crush all life and resistance out of the prisoner, should make comparatively little impression upon him. The suspended animation of the “little death ” freed Standing from almost all suffering, so that he was able to endure longer and longer periods of punishment. Of the isolated incidents of his former lives I could give an account that would far exceed the space allowed. The end comes abruptly, when, after five years of solitary confinement, he attempts to escape, and, but the ghost of his former self, is overcome by his fear of open spaces. He is caught and thrust back into his cell, but in the scuffle attendant in his recapture, the warder’s nose bleeds, so the wretched prisoner is made guilty of a technical assault on pn officer of the prison, and on that count is condemned to death. The story closes immediately before the execution, but on an exultant note, for the man who has consciously relived so many previous lives docs not fear an experience that is to him yet another gate opening into the beyond. COROMA.

It seems strange that any one should find such .a book uninteresting, Coroma; very painful it must be, but, I should think, of absorbing interest. I am sorry I had to omit the tale of the prisoner’s trance experiences.—Esther * * * “ THE ROUGH ROAD.” Dear Esther, —The book I would have liked to write about was “ Scaramouche,” but on trying to concentrate I find that I cannot reproduce the atmosphere, and it is that, to my mind, that makes the book’s great charm. It is a marvellous study of a very clever character. However, I’ve just reread another character study by W. J. Locke, “ The Rough Road,” and those who have read any of that author's books will understand that it has been a keen delight. The chief character, Marmaduke James Trevor, is a study of invironment, and heredity, born and reared in an atmosphere of ultra-refinement and effeminacy with artistic and musical tastes, fostered to help in producing and finishing off the desired end. One day, a cousin of Marmaduke —all his relations are connected with the church—in a fit of mischievous sport and scorn, nicknames Marmaduke “ Doggie.” In a moment he is up in arms. This cousin, detested and despised before, now becomes an object of terror, and in truth he is somewhat of the bully. Marmaduke's mother, a widow, refused to place him in a public school. His first tutor tries to break him of some of the very feminine traits that he has cultivated, and to give him an insight into manly sports. The result is instant dismissal. The second tutor is a Scotchman with high degrees, and with a “very good idea of hanging on to a very easy billet. He very carefully submits to the enervating atmosphere, but to keep his “ mental balance ” is a secret drinker, and at intervals, unknown to the inmates, indulges in no small degree. Boyhood passes, and just as he enters into manhood Marmaduke’s mother dies, quite satisfied with her carefully reared boy, now sole owner of a beautiful house and large income. His tutor consents tb stay on. but, alas, one day his weakness is found out, and Marmaduke is so disgusted that he is dismissed. In a very mild kind of a way an engagement is entered into between Marmaduke and a cousin Peggy. This is in June, 1914. Then August comes, and the war. Oliver is among the first to go. Marmaduke really imagines he is too delicate to be of any use, but does his best in every othe capacity, till one day he receives a “ white feather.” Peggy, instead of sympathising with him, pursuades Tiim to be medlcallj examined, and when he passes, a commission is secured for him. And now tragedy is very near. Disaster is the onlv result such a proceeding. Pluck he has in plenty ; but it is the pluck of an inner nature, not of the body—helpless, ignorant of the common ways and thoughts of his fellow-creatures, his attempt to command a number of men is utter mockery—it ends in his being asked to resign. In utter despair and contempt for himself he refuses to see any of his former acquaintances, and tries to lose himself in London. There bis old tutor finds him, and advises him to enlist as a private, and it is in his experiences as a private in training and on the field that 'he real nature of the man comes out. One of his first actions was to discard the name of Marmaduke, and the once hated “ Doggie ” becomes his pet name. After months of bitterness and miserable failures a French irl gives him the answer to all his questionings, " he is trying to find his soul.” Through all his experiences his erstwhile tutor stands a firm rock. Once “ Doggie ” upbraided him for the way he allowed him to be reared, and Phineas now takes it on himself to help undo the mischief. Peggy and Oliver are married, and ‘ Doggie is much relieved at finding that he is free he cannot bear the thought of any of his old life about him. In the mud and horrors of the trenches, and among the " common clay of humanity,” he finds the real self. ELSIE. Locke writes delightful stories, Elsie, and this is a very good one. —Esther.

I have had many messages from Cosy Corner contributors expressing pleasure at the large number of new members, and sending greetings and good wishes. Hinekupango, who has been prevented by illhealth from contributing, says in a private letter ■ “ Vvhat a nice number of new members you have, and what interesting papers. I quite enjoyed reading them.” Eve, writing in reference to the June meeting, says: ’ It was pleasant to see such a large gathering of old friends this month and so many newcorners. To the latter Gabrielle and I extend a very hearty welcome, and hope that they will become regular contributors. We were especially pleased to see both Oscar and Elsie present.” Others write similarly. The club is in a flourishing condition now, and I hope it will continue to provide much interest and pleasure to its members, and pleasant reading to outsiders. I thank my contributors for their support and hope that all with any interest in music will send papers to next month's meeting. The response has been so good at this meeting that I am again compelled to divide the papers, and-the second ins alment will appear next week. ESTHER

SEPTEMBER MEETING. •• A MUSICAL GATHERING.” This topic affords room for much variety of treatment. Probably nearly all contributors have some love for music, though they may have little musical knowledge and not be able to perform on any musical instrument. Let such say something about the instrumental music and the songs they are fond of. Those with musical knowledge will have no difficulty in findi g something interesting to write of. Some ways of treating the subject would be to comment on modern musical developments; to compare popular music and songs f to-day with those of Victorian days, and to discuss the place of music in education and in life. The influence on musical culture of the pianola, the gramophone, ad broadcasted music might be discussed, and something might be said of the music of non-European countries — extracts from books of travel might be used here. Last date for sending in papers, September 12. OCTOBER MEETINC. •• CAREERS FOR WOMEN.” This is a subject of much importance today. Members are invited to discuss various callings from the point of view of their suitability for women. Opportunities to rise and make provision for the future should be considered, and also means of social influence afforded by the occupation. Last date for sending in papers, October 10.