BOOK NOTICES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17126, 30 October 1917, Page 6

BOOK NOTICES.

.' fThe Glugs of Gosh," by C J. Dennis (Angus and Hobertsoii, Ltd., per A. D. Willis, Ltd.) Mere we have tile author of "Tn c .Sentimental Bioke" working a new claim, so to speak, and striking it rich. "YVnether tiae reader is a lover of poetry or not, this wininsieal sawre m verse must surely appeal even to the dullest sense of numour. It is really a take-oft" of the weaknesses and toibles of our human nature, presented with remarkable power and rhythm. A Glug typtfies "ourselves as others see us," and Gosh signihes a community of Glugs—such a community, for instance, as our own, or any other within the wide bounds of the Mnipire. Dennis's personification ot pompous authority is "the Lord High Stodge," his Government officials are the "Swanks", and the "Ogs of Podge" are the Huns who, with crafty dodge,

To trade with the Glugs came the Ogs to Gosh, And they said in seductive tones: "We'll seli you planners and pickles and spanners, For seventeen shiploads of stones— Smooth 'uns or nobbly 'uns, Firm 'uns or wobbly 'uns, All that we ask is stones."

And the King said "What?" and the Queen said "Why, That is awiuliy cheap to the things 1 buy! For that grocer of ours in the light brown hat , Asks two and eleven for pickles like that!" ■■ But a Glug stood up with a wart on his nose, And cried: " Your Majesties! Ogs is foes!" But the Glugs cried "Peace! will you hold your jaw I How did our grandpas fashion the law?"

Said tlie Knight. Sir Stodge, as he opetvsd his book, " When the goods were cheap then the goods they took." So they fined the Glug with the wart on his nose, For wearing a wart with his everyday clothes; And the goods were bought through a Glug named Ghones; And the Ogs went home with their load of stones, Which tjhey landed with glee in the Land of Podge. Do you notice the dodge? Nor yet did the Glugs, nor the Knight, Sir Stodge.

The story of the Glugs runs through a series of thirteen poems, all beautifully illustrated/ and from first to last there dances the sprightly spirit of Fun, pausing noi infrequently to be cleverly, though not unpleasantly satirical. An altogether delightful 'book.

"Songs of a Campaign," by Leon bellert; third edition, with 25 additional poems, and 16 pictures by Norman Lindsay. (Angus and Robertson, Ltd-, Sydney; through A. D. Willis and Co., Wanganui). Poetry indeed real and true, strong in the splendid simplicity of its expression and throbbing with the vital things of life as they present themselves to the mental vision of the soldier on .active service. Gellert wrote these tine verses while on active service, and they seem to cover, with wonderful realism every aspect of the soldier's life and 'experience. These poems of Gellert's are dcs, tined to be numbered among Austral ha's choicest classics.

Three charming booklets specially published for the Christinas season also emanate from the same publishing house*. In the first, C. J. Dennis carries the story of "Doreen" a little further, and it contains four new "Sentimental Bloke" poems, with coloured and other illustrations by Hal Gye and it marks a new era in Australian publishing. It sihows that Australia ■can produce literature, pictures and printing equal to the best, and as there will be so few imported booklets this season, Doreen will certainly be a great success. If Mr Dennis can give us work of this kind each year, there is no reason why his Christmas books should not be looked for and appreciated, as were those of Charles Dickena No mor© delightful Christmas greeting be found for posting abroad! It is original, artistic and inexpensive and is enclosed in an envelope ready for posting. The other two—" Gum-Blossom Babies" and "Gum-Nut Babies"—are ihe delightful work of Miss May Gibbs. Ihe charm of the chubby pink baby figures among the gum-leaves is irresistible, and the quaint doings of these mythical bush folk make their appeal to our humanity. Each of the booklets contains a dozen or more pictures several of which are in colour, interspersed with just enough reading mat. ter to give full vahie to the drawings.