In An Easy Chair.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13904, 15 May 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

In An Easy Chair.

BOOKS AND THEIR WRITERS. -It is a frequent experience for authors to find that titles they have chosen for their books must be altered, because the same wording has been used before. Sir Nathaniel Nathan intended to call his ''Economic Heresies," which Constable recently published. "Things as They Are," a Kipling phrase. He was apprised at the last moment that it had been used by Miss Carmichael for her book of missionary experiences in China.

What part of England is the traditional home of the " Babes in the Wood" ? How many of us could, offhand, give an answer to that question? And yet the locality is the south-west corner of Norfolk, popularly known as the "Breckland." Mr Charles Kent is the author of a book which Messrs Jarrold announce on this "Land of the Babes in the Wood." It identifies Old Griston Hall as the Wicked Uncle's House of the ballad, and Wayland Wood as the place where the babes were left to die.

Mrs Closser Hale, a leading American actress, is the author of a novel ■which Messrs Constable announce. It is called "The Actress," and is, the American reviewers say, a fine, wholesome story of theatrical life. Mostly of it is a love story—the pission of

New York broker, large, clean-shaven —why do all Americans shave their faces hare? —and clear-headed, for an actress who, as she thinks, is bound for ever to her art. Mrs. Hale brings her heroine to London, where she has a great theatrical success.

Mr John Foster Fraser appears to Jtave taken a rest from his lightning hooks. Anyhow, a new one which he has appearing through Messrs Cassell is in the nature of a travel survey rather than a narrative of a flying journey. It is entitled " Quaint Subjects of the King." and it, tells of these, their ways of life, their superstitions and customs, how they make love, fight, hunt, and are buried. The book will have nearly a hundred illustrations from photographs.

'" Through Uganda to Mount Elgon " is a book by the Rev. J. B. Purvis which Mr Fisher Unwin announces. The author takes the reader through almost the whole of our East African Empire, giving him glimpses of countries and people known and unknown. Problems of race and colour, civil and military questions, commercial and missionary enterprise are dealt with -in a way which will enable the busiest man to understand how things are in British' East Africa and Uganda. We are assured which is good news that the book is comprehensive without being ponderous.

A book oF travel by Mr G. P. Tate, of the Indian Surveys, is nearly ready with. Messrs Witherby. Under the title "the Frontiers of Baluchistan" he describes his adventures during long and arduous journeyings in that weird but interesting region which lies on the borders of India, Persia, and Afghanistan. Mr Tate's intimate knowledge of this land enables him to give a vivid picture of its stern, wild aspect, its vast ruined cities, its past and present inhabitants, with their stirring tales and strange- legends. An introdnction is contributed by Sir Henry MacMahon.

Though so much has been written about art by writers and professed critics, what" artists themselves have paid about it has never been collected. Yet these thoughts and savings are often more pregnant and illuminating than, volumes of criticism by critics. Mrs. Laurence Binyon is compiling a volume, "The Mind .of the Artist." which Messrs Chatto will pnblish in due course. "Without neclecting such famous writings as those by Leonardo. Heynolds, and Fromentin. her chief aim has been to collect the more intimate sayings, confessions, and criticisms which are to be found scattered among the letters and memoirs of artists who were not writing for publication.

In "Chateau Royal" tlic author has a really good plot, which lewis itself to treatment at once dramatic and telling. "Unfortunately, he has chosen a method of does not allow him to make best of his material. There are long monologues which do not interest the reader, nor do they develop the story to any material extent. On the other hand, they dissipate the reader's attention, - and leave him in a state of bordering on irritation. It says mnch for the real worth of the story when one can say, S¥id with perfect honesty, that it has been enjoyed despite these obvious blemishes. Dick Stewart sees the heroine in a London church, and straightway falls in love with her. With a brief telegram giving a briefer address as a clue, he sets off in pursuit, and after a series of mild adventures, over-long in the telling, finds her in a remote French, chateau. Here the heroine's father, some time Mr Kuibb. diamond dealer in Batten Garden, 'who lielioves himself to be the lineal descendant of the exiled kirns? of France, and heir to its throne, keeps royal state. Stewart is himself received as one of the royal nons© of Scotland, and learns that his lady is not wholly indifferent to his advances: Of course, he has a rival, M. le Conite, a relative of M. de Grandmaison, whose person and charms are the object of much scorn on the part of Stewart. M. le Com to tries to slander Madame R.. and, whilst attacked by the irate father, dies. Stewart takes on Ids shoulders the onus of the Comte's death, and is imprisoned. But in the Abbe he has a staunch friend, and his suit prospers. The curtain falls ou a happy couple, despite the discarding of royal claims on both sides. Mr Yoxall will be a fortunate novelist if he finds so good a plot awaiting him for his next venture. If fortune favours him. and he uses his opportunity worthily, it will be a book upon which he may Ftake his reputation. "Chateau Royal " is certainly worth readiiur. but it does not add to the author's fame.

There nrr very feu- more conscientious workers than Mr Fletcher. In "The Harvest Moon" we have a fine example of the class of hook one who puts unlimited labour into his writing will produce. There is nothing scamped, no ranged edges to irritate, no obvious mistakes . which surest the writer was too hasty or idle to correct. Indeed, one can affirm that this most enjoyable novel will rank as one of Mr Fletcher's best bits of work. BuH whether anv woman, treated as Linda van do Lind" was treated bv Adrian Darrcll, would act as she acted is a question which readers must settle for themselves. "We find it difficult t<> liclievc Linda is the handsome daughter of :i farmer ot Dutch descent settled in the Fen country. To their nicturesque farmstead comes the wandering artist, Darrell, and thus these, two are brought- together. Linda, is hot-raved and deserted bv DarreM. and her father passes away within the same week. Her s-ncrefc i* discovered hv a local doctor, John Oarr°ndon. and with liis assistance she hides herself in Bni"bes. Twelve vear.s afterwards 7>er bov, V'»tje. meets a charming stranger., who

admires the lad's painting. It is the Marchese del' Albaccina. of Rome, himself an artist, and he asks by letter that P-ietje may be allowed to visit- Rome for the purpose of study. Pietje and his tutor depart, and are follewed by Linda and her friend. Hiss Garrendon. There the tragedy of the book takes place, and over the dead bodv of her boy Linda sees the man of her youth, love for whom she had nursed in* her heart for all the years. In a London slum Linda lives "her kindlv life, but craving the satisfaction of her heart's desires. At last, when the cloud fell upon her life happiness comes to her, and is welcomed bv her. Without a word of explanation or apology or resrefc she takes the marquis into her life again, and the past is buried. Is it probable 9 We have enjoyed the story from first to last, and have nothing but praise to offer, despite the fact that we are moved to criticise its central idea.

"An Actor's Story." by Bransby Williams entitles a book which Messrs Chapman will publish for him in a few davs: In it- Mr Williams gives an account of his early days as an actor, before he hit upon the idea of impersonating characters from Dickens and Shakespeare on the music-hall stage. His book naturally deals at some length with Dickens, but it has much in it on acting and actors of the day. and \k full of interesting and ljvely stories concerning them.