BOOKS AND WRITERS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20495, 11 May 1938, Page 10

BOOKS AND WRITERS

COMMENTS AND EXTRACTS “ The world is as yet only comparatively insane.”—Robert Lynd.

PUBLIC READING TASTE BOOKS OF SOCIOLOGY POPULAR DEMAND FOR NON-FICTION “The reading taste of the public has altered considerably in the past few years and there is not the same demand for books of pleasant essays and what might be termed passive reading," said Miss A. M. Blackett, librarian at the Wanganui Public Library, in her annual report. Miss Blackett stated that of the increase in the number of books at tlie library during the year only twothirds were Action; good non-flction . works were always in demand. “Books of travel have always come next to Action in popularity, and the many changes in world affairs have led "to a larger number of books in the sociology section being published and read," the report stated. RUSSIAN NOVELIST TOLSTOY CLAIMED AS AINU NEW JAPANESE THEORY Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian novelist, is described as a "typical Ainu" in the report of a Japanese scientiAc commission which has been j occupied in a medical and biological study of the Ainu race over a period of five years. The Ainus are a fast vanishing race of primitive aborigines who are now to be found only in Hokkaido, the northern-most of Japan’s four large islands. Their number is estimated at about 16,000; and there is an Increasing mixture of Japanese blood in the Ainu race, since the Ainus themselves are often childless. Many centuries ago the Ainus were a formidable lighting people, and the settlement of the north-eastern part of Honshu, Japan's main island, was carried out in a process of constant struggle with them. Animism Their Religion In contrast to the Japanese, the Ainus are forest dwellers, rather than agriculturists, and prefer meat to rice and vegetables. Their religion is a kind of animism, centring around the bear, an animal which is both a god and also their favourite kind of meat. According to the researches of the commission, the Ainus show traces of Mongolian influence, while a study of their Anger-prints shows an affinity with the white races. The commission notes that among the Russians Ainu physical features

are often found, and suggests that the Ainus originally came to Japan from Europe by a. northern route.

ALLEGED DISGRACEFUL BOOK “IT MUST BE STOPPED” LONDON PAPER REFUSES REVIEW We have received for review from Messrs George Routledge and Sons an advance copy of a book, “To Beg I Am Ashamed,” which, unless it is withdrawn before the date of publication, will bring grave disrepute upon this well-known London publishing house, writes the editor of the London Daily Mail. “To Beg I Am Ashamed” bears on the title page the name “Sheila Cousins.” The publishers state that j this name, like those of other characters mentioned, is fictitious, j The Daily Mail will not review this l book, holding that it is a sordid work which should never have been accepted for publication. BARRIE’S BOOKS £560 FOR MANUSCRIPT SUCCESSFUL SALE IN LONDON When Sotheby's auctioneer, Mr FW. Warre, called the name of Dr. Gabriel Wells as the winner, at £560, of Barrie's autograph manuscript of “Peter Pan and Wendy,” expectations were fulfilled that the chief prize in the sale would go to America. For some time Dr. Wells has been “cornering” Barrie manuscripts, and it is now known that some years ago he acquired the manuscript of “Peter Pan,” which the author had given to Miss Maude Adams, who played the part in America. Dr. Wells said that it would never do to mention this in Barrie's lifetime, as he would have been much distressed that the lady had been compelled to part with the precious gift. Next in importance came the original 77 pages of the comedy “Quality Street,” styled originally “Phoebe’s Garden." Mr W. T. Shaw, M.P., bought this for £3OO, and it may go to the Barrie Memorial House which is being projected on the lines of the Burns Museum at Alloway. Lady Cynthia Asquith frequently competed, and bought the Barrie manuscript of “Shall We Join the Lad.es?” for £75, but the Chinese translation of this, with the printed version, also in Chinese, brought only £3 ss.