Books and Their Writers

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16850, 28 September 1922, Page 3

Books and Their Writers

MASKS ACCORDING TO MOSELEY. ” High Courts of Justice. Moseley v. Paul. An injunction was obtained by the author, pending trial, restraining publisher from issuing this wrapper, which is now defaced by agreement." This information conveyed on a four-inch hy three-inch slip gummed to the front oi' the folder of Mr Sydney .\. Moseley’s “The -Much Chosen Race.” The slip is intended to hiTfe a picture of a Jew peddler bearing a striking resemblance to some of the caricatures of a well-known Australian politician - one speaks from memory—the resemblance however is prolfebly not the reason for the defacing. Mr Moseley has already treated of the Ciidsen people in several hooks, the subject has a fascination for him ; whether the results of that fascination" as here printed will fascinate the members of the race whom he announces his intention of “ criticising, heckling and if needs be. hooting" is another matter.* There is no lack of writers who have considered the Jew a fit subject for their pens; some, for example Zangwill—who by the way is the reverse of persona grata with Mr Moseley—“ He lisps like the three-hatted Jew of the stage and lias as much generosity us a bilious .Scot” is one of the complimentary references —some display an extensive acquaintance with the ancient race, some are like the average tourist who rushes into print after a scamper through new country There is no doubt about the extent to which the Jew has entered into the making of history any more than about the fact that the “ unchoseri ” have always taken very great interest generally hostile in him and his doings. I Those who trace a deal of the trouble in the world to the international Jew will accept Mr Moseley’s description as erring in the direction of leniency but the average reader will perhaps 1 hardly think so. By the wey it is curious to note that in his preface Mr Moseley says he thought of using a title something on the lines of “ The Unspeakable Scot” and Mr Crosland himself has just produced a book on Jews. “There is more esprit de corps among apes than among Jews” says Mr Moseley “ The trouble about the Jews and Palestine is that every Jew is desirous of sending every other Jew there .. . The superstitious Jew obeys the Law to the letter. That he does not obey it in the spirit is very evident from the numerous stories, usually told by Jews themselves, of the crafty manner in which the Law has been circumvented. The Jew s method of getting on would m> more withstand the searchlight of public enquiry than would the machinations of the average speculator and .business man. Like most subject races the Jew fearful of his opponent, is suspicious and jealous of his kindred ... the too-cl ever-bv-f ar race. “While disclosing the Jew’s faults Mr Moseley defends him against the attacks oi the anti-Semite; he pleads for more attention to robustness and less to dreaming and the synagogue. A “ Jew s Who ” chapter gave a list of import-

Notes by " The Reviewer

one won Id not have guessed from their runner to belong: to the much-chosen. He N treats of the Jew in Polities, in Journalism in Law and in many other spheres. There are scathing comments on Jewish wedding customs. some characterised as “ intensely vulgar.'*’ AYhv Jews have long noses, Judaism and Bolshevism—“ the Jews in the mass are Socialists.' ’ Kosher. the practice of circumcision— ’ monstrous and wicked. Trotsky arc discussed. Air Mosc/cy defends his book “A Singular People ” against the charge brought by Jews that it ridiculed the race. He complains that .lewis'll gentlemen, of whom he says lie has met “ not a few.” efface themselves when they should be in the forefront of matters Jewish's he “ would trust the destinies of the world, much less one race or country, in his hands. And provided one can keep the pseudo •‘British” Jew from yapping at him—as he undoubtedly would—l am prepared to back him in re-establishing the prestige of the ancient race. in Palestine.” Each of Mr Moseley's readers must decide for himself how tho information here conversationally •riven affects that reader’s opinion of the .Tow ; there is certainly a- good deal of information and Mr Moseley assorts that “ There is no vindictiveness, no bad blood, and I trust no bad grammar,” in his criticisms. '(London: Stanley, Paul and (To.) A MILD GAT HARVESTING. “ Cecil Challoner was twenty-one, when he first came to London, in. search of pleasure a)1( l ’what he called life. Well born and well bred, he was the only son of a country gentleman in the North, whose ancestors could be traced back, for hundreds of years .... one of the best public schools and thence to an university. His education finished ... to London to join some of his university friends, live in an expensive flat, run a. car. and generally have a good time.” So Avhen the hero of Miss (or Mrs) Emmeline Morrison’s “The Measure of Youth” suggested by Kipling’s “ Gentlemen Bankers ” is left penniless at twenty-four, he is vpry admirably unsuited to earn his own living. But he is remarkably good-looking and with the aid of his friend Lord Lennox he secures a small 1 part in a musical comedy. The women of course spoil him and he falls into wavs that are vain. The result is illness and one of his friend© suggests that the only way out for him is to marry a woman with money. One particular heiress, unknown except by name, is mentioned and Cecil accepts an offered bet that he cannot marry her. Whether he does or does nor, those who care for a very human story interestingly told may discover from tho book itself. Even if you do not particularly respect tho hero and fee. ant loved at Helen and emphatically dislike Dr Thorn you will like Dr Reay and Burton: you may even find something attractive in Lennox. The authoress was the winner of Mr Long’s £ooo First Novel competition last year with “ Good Grain;” her latest effort deals with wild oats in full measure.