The Library Corner

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19846, 21 May 1927, Page 13 (Supplement)

The Library Corner

By

“Bibliophile”

“Sene boelce are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and eome few to be chewed and digested.”—Bacon.

“A MANUAL OF MODERN COOKERY.” (By JESSIE LINDSAY and V. H. MOTTRAM. University of London Press, London, per W. S. Smart, Sydney.) Tn this up-to-date ami scientifically written and compiled cookery book, almost every conceivable type of dish and method of preparation is dealt with, afid its comprehensive nature is shown by the fact that 854 recipes are given covering all phases of the culinary art. But equally valuable, if not more so, is the introduction on the principles of diet and cooking, which gives scientific, yet popularly written and easily understandable information — right up to date, too —on the essentials of food and food values, information which, in these days of so-called “refined” foods, the public stands much in need of. Miss Jessie Lindsay, it should be mentioned, is head of the household arts department of King’s College, London, while Mr Mottram is professor of physiology in the University of London. It will thus be seen that they arc well qualified to write with authority on this subject. While the book is primarily intended for use in schools and colleges where domestic or household science is taught, it is equally valuable —one might say, invaluable—to the woman who wishes to maintain her housewifely reputation and who values her family’s health. “ONE TOUCH OF NATURE.” (Arranged by F W. TICKNER, D. Lit., B. Sc. University of London Press, London, per W. S. Smart, (Sydney.) “One Touch of Nature” is a quite charming literary, nature-study reader for boys and girls, compiled by one who is on familiar terms with his subject. There are short biographical sketches of such great nature students as Gilbert White (of Seibourne), Jean Henri Fabre, and others, ail of which introduce results of their observations in various highways and byways. The information given, more particularly in respect of certain everyday things, is something no boy or girl should be without, or, for that matter, no adult either, and even in regard to what, for the purpose, may be styled non-essen-tials, it is full of interest, and charm. Teachers in schools, ami colleges, in particular, will find this book a most useful addition to their libraries. “STEPSONS OF FRANCE.” (By P. C. WREN. John Murray. London.) In “Stepsons of Franco,” the author of “Beau Geste ” gives us an acceptable collection of short stories of the French Foreign Legion. Some criticism has of late bedn levelled at books dealing with this subject on the ground that some conditions are alleged which have no substance in fact, and that others which did exist many years ago do not obtain to-day. Bo that as it may, and making due allowance for it, the stories, told in this book nevertheless make good reading. Ono recognises some of them as rather melodramatic, "but they contain a quality of interest and excitement which holds tho reader in the same manner as do all tho stories which come from P. C. Wren’s hand. ‘‘PULLING THE STRINGS.” (By F. E. PENNY. Hodder and Stoughton, London, per W S. Smart, Sydney.) It is not the famous stage character, “Bunty,” who “pulls the strings” in this instance, but the house-servant of the Anglo-Indian. “Pulling the Strings” is a welcome addition to the now lengthy list of stories of India, the more so as Simla, the Ganges, and tho Frontier and other places which figure in so many such tales, have nothing to do with it. The scene Is ?aict in the South, which has already been proved by other stories, as a good locale for a talc well told. The book tells of Alec Longfield, a young police officer and his love for a woman who already has a husband. But they play the straight game, and fate finally makes a clear path for them. Fate, in this instance, however, is Longfield’s head ‘ 1 boy, ’’ by name Abboze, who manages his master’s destiny in many ways without the latter suspecting it. “European masters and mistresses in India,” says tho authoress, “imagine that they are exercising their free will when they are only following lines laid down by their subordinates.” Ample proof of this is given by a writer who plainly knows the Indian “domestic,” and this trait of the latter is interestingly and, in some eases, amusingly told. It is a very satisfactory and satisfying story. “VIVANTI.” (By SYDNEY HORLER. Hodder and Stoughton, London, per W S. Smart. Sydney.) “Paul Vivanti, the ‘devil doctor’ of Hailey Street, has taken the field again,” says the publisher’s note to “Vivanti.” And Mr Horler makes him take it to some effect.. The story is one of the “dope” trade, in which Vivanti and his remarkably obnoxious associates are concerned. A young, member of tho Secret Service is given the task of uncovering the business which, with the aid of a male friend and a very interesting girl, he finally does, though at great risk to life and limb. Indeed, he barely escapes alive. But he does, and. tho end, so far as he and tho girl are concerned, is satisfactory in all respect. Several of ihe villains in the piece get their deserts, hut Vivanti escapes justice. Let it be hoped that he only docs so to “fight another day,” in other words to form the

motive of another book as good as this. The story is breathlessly exciting. The action begins almost in the first line and continues at top speed throughout. No one should begin this book if he has only five minutes to spare. It is one of those which lures you on from page to page, so tense is its interest, and no one will grudge, either the buying or the reading of it, “THE BLACK ABBOT.” (By EDGAR WALLACE. Hodder and Stoughton, London, per W. S. Smart, Sydney.) This week’s reviews include still another thriller, “The Black Abbot.” The author is Edgar Wallace, whose name is sufficient guarantee that, nothing shall be wanting to hold the reader down. Ancestral treasure supplies the motif, and the hunt for it provides the action. The lawful owner is a neurotic, aristocratic invalid who is affianced to a girl far too nice to waste on him. She is really in Jove with his half-brother, who is the hero of the, story. Her brother, a spendthrift lawyer. with a penchant for appropriating his clients’ money is another of those concerned, and several others of more or loss respectability—some of them very much loss —have also an idea that the finder of the treasure should keep it. The invalid aristocrat finally becomes insane, and endangers the lives of the hero and heroine in consequence, 1 but some of the others also prove unsafe to be allowed at. large. Eventually all is satisfactorily concluded, but not before the reader is tensely gripped l»y a stirring 'recital of events told in Edgar Wallace’s best style. “MORLEY’S ‘LIFE OF GLADSTONE.’ ” Abridged and edited by C. F. G. MA3TERMAN. Hodder and Stoughton, London, per W. S. Smart, Sydney.) There must be many admirers of W. L. Gladstone, and probably not a few others who. while political opponents, recognised him as a great figure, who must’ have wished for an opportunity to read Morley’s “Life of Gladstone. ” But that monumental work is one rather for the man of some leisure than for him who is busy with affairs. Therefore a warm welcome will be given to a popular edition, abridged ami edited by Mr C. F. G. Masterman, who has performed his task most admirably. Mr Masterman’s well-known literary ability alone would have qualified him for this, but in the result he shows something more: A sympathy with his subject and a skill in the, selection of essentials which makes this popular edition just, what it is intended to be —a complete outline of the G.O.M.’s life and career in small compass, yet without the sacrifice- of anything which helps us to appraise his life and character. It deals with the career of the groat Liberal statesman from his early boyhood to his end, and shows us how he really and truly was part and parcel of that stirring period of British history to which he belonged. Not the least valuable feature to the intelligent reader is the light it sheds on the remarkable changes, political, commercial, and social which took place in Britain during the Victorian period, changes which, though suggested rather than described, are nevortholss very vividly brought home to one.’ The book is well illustrated With portraits, cartoons,-and •facsimile reproductions of pages from Gladstone’s own diary. Altogether, it is a most valuable work, and one to be wannly recommended to all students of political and economic affairs, no n atter to what party they may belong. THE MAGAZINES. Nineteenth Century.—Professor Spenser Wilkinson is seriously perturbed about the acceptance by the British Government of President Coolidge’s invitation to a conferenc on naval disarmament. Writing in the current number of the “Nineteenth Century and After” on the subject of “Security,” ho declares that the acceptance seems*to involve the abandonment, if not the reversal, of the policy pursued by Great Britain for more than 300 yc-sis. He is very wary of the United States, whose policy seems to him to suggest a purpose, perhaps an unconscious purpose, to dominate both hemispheres. An overbearing attitude on tho part of the States, he says, must sooner er later meet with its appropriate answer from the united States of Europe, from the united States of South America, and from the federated Slates of Ihe Pacific. Mr Hilaire Belloc. reiterates his argument that tho party funds should be audited, as a means of purging public life of the many evils which he declares it to conta:n; while Sir Henry Slesser in an article on the politics of a Labour member confidently suggests that the heart of England “is turning to that party which so essentially represents the common sense and the common demand for justice which characterises the English people.” The. Labour party, he says, is not revolutionary; it is restorative. Mr Meredith Atkinson (tiscmscs the Soviet’s war . against Great. Britain, while the Rev. Ivan D Ross insists that an understanding of the teaching of Dr Sun Yatsen is necessary if the outlook of the Chinese is to bo appreciated. Dr William Cramer's article on cancer will bring a ray of comfort tp those who fear that dread diseases. Mr Davidson Cook, discussing some unpublished letters of Scott, shows that tho mysterious contributor whom Scott introduced to the “Quarterly” was the Rev. William Greenfield, once Moderator of th General Assmbly of the Church of Scotland, who fled his country.