NEW BOOKS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 3 June 1919, Page 5

NEW BOOKS.

The Secret City. -By Hugh Walpole, author of ‘'The Green Mirror,” etc. London; Macmillan and Co.* Ltd.

In this novel Mr. Walpole attempts to enlighten his readers as to the character of the Russian people, not an easy task, tor it is a character of such wonderful complexity as to he very difficult to understand. His principal characters are Nicolai Mnrkovitch and .his wile Vera, and her sister Nina, Boi is Grogoff, au international Socialist, Alexei Semyonov, .undo of Vera ami Nina, Henry Bohan, sent to assist lac British Embassy at Petrograd hi the work of British propaganda, Jerry Laurence, sent to Petrograd for tne saine purpose, and “Dardles,” or Durwarci, who tells the story. And a very fascinating story it is, set in Petrograd about the time of the revolution which threw the Czar, from his throne. I here is a great diversity of character among the chief actors, the most extraordinary being Markovitcli and Semyonov, aim latter, after living the life of a libertine, has conceived a great passion for .Banc Ivanovna, whom Durward also loved when they were both with the Russian Red Cross on the Polish and Galician fronts. Mario was killed and Semyonov loses all desire to live. So much so that he sets himself to goad .Markovitcli to kill him, which lie eventually docs, immediately afterwards shooting himself. This is but an incident iu a- stoiy which is full of tragedy, but whose main object is. as stated, to endeavour to describe the Russian character, a mixture of mysticism, fatalism, and more lovable finalities.

Clirlstoplioi* and Columbus. By the author of “Elizabeth and HerGorman Garden.'* London : .Macmillan and

Two orphans, daughters of a German father and an English mother', born and brought up in Germany .and taken to England after the war broke out to live with a. married aunt, find themselves rather in the way on account of their nationality, and at 17 years of ago are sent to America- with letters to some, friends. On setting out upon their voyage of adventure they call themselves Christopher and Columbus. On uc steamer an American gentleman befriends and on arrival at New ork undertakes to see them safely into the hands of their friends. The latter do not meet the steamer and ho takes them to his own house, where his mother “eute up rough,’’ a scene occurs, and he leaves lii.s home never to return, taking his charges with him. Their friends for one reason or another are unable to receive them, and lie decides to set them, np in a tea-house outside Acapulco, hiring a widow lady to be their chaperone. Gossip, however, becomes busy, and the tea-house is boycotted by Americans because of the girls’ nationality, and in tile end lUr. Turst, the self-ap-pointed guardian, marries Christopher, wiiilo Columbus marries a young soldier. It is an amusing story, but it Christopher and Columbus arc true types of German girts-of education anti reliuemeni, preserve us from the type.

Agriculture for Now Zealand Headers, t Gy it. L'. Connell, -U.A., and J. 'A . liadfield, Instructors in Agriculture to the Auckland Education .Guard and the ,S«ddon Jiemorial Technical College respectively. Christchurch; \i hiteomoe and Tombs, Ltd.

This is intended as a text-book lor students ol the science of agriculture, which is now given a prowmeiit place in our school curriculum. Jt provides in a compact form much at least of the hodj - of essential information obtainable only by reference to many sources which arc not always readily accessible. Many practical exercises have been introduced in connection with the subject matter, and it is designed to eliminate the drudgery of extensive note-taking which at present often occupies time that might bo used with more profit in other ways. The authors know just what is required in the courses of agriculture of the secondary schools, and have produced a. text-hook which should suffice students not only to pass the examinations, but also to acquire a thoroughly practical knowledge of the subject. The book is freely illustrated and is admirably printed.

The Outlaw’s Daughter. By Arthur Wright, Sydney; Xew South (Vales Bookstall Co-operative, Ltd.

Mr. Arthur Wright, author of a dozen or so Australian novels, mostly with n sporting interest, and which have had a huge sale, shows no sign of abating his literary output. “The Outlaw’s Daughter” is a hush adventure novel, a swiftmoving story packed with thrills and interest incident. The story concerns the career of “Devil” Devine, bushranger, and his abandoned infant daughter. When they moot in after years neither knows the relationship, and Devine falls in love with his own daughter and forces her into marriage at pistol point at a shearers’ bail, lint the police suddenly arrive and he disappears. Later the girl becomes the wife of Trooper Carton, who docs not know the story. Ho follows Devine’s trail for months and is suddenly confronted with the startling information that the bushranger ho is pursuing was married to his wife! Mr. Wright docs not fail to make the most of tho unusual situation, and the story is skilfully developed .