In the Bookman's Corner

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 4, Issue 10, 1 April 1926, Page 71

In the Bookman's Corner

Our NJYCountain Tdfigion A /TISS B. E. Baughan is undoubtedly one of the best-known writers of literature descriptive of New Zealand’s scenic beauties. Her latest book, “Arthur’s Pass and the Otira Gorge,” gives ample scope for her fine powers of picturesque description and keen observation. Snow-capped mountains, rushing torrents, mountain flora and fauna all serve their purpose in the thread of a most interesting and informative description of this mountainous district. The region described, through the Otira and over Arthur’s Pass to Westland, contains some of the most rugged and inspiring scenery in the Dominion, and Miss Baughan’s facile pen has done full justice to its many beauties. It is a little book that all lovers of our land should possess. The book contains a number of fine illustrations. The publishers are Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. On household NhCamigment A NEW cookery book compiled ■hhA. by E. Putter, and entitled “Home Cookery for New Zealand,” has been issued by Whitcombe and Tombs. There arc some thousands of modern recipes, all compiled with an eye to economy. A unique and handy feature for those who entertain is the section dealing with the preparation of liquers and cocktails. Special sections are devoted to jam, biscuit and confectionery-mak-ing. A selection of extremely handy general household recipes round off this admirable publication. zA Cjreat Journalist 'C'ROM the pen of Frederick White -*■ comes a most comprehensive and instructive biography, “The Life of W. T. Stead” (Jonathan Cape; 2 vols.). Stead was undoubtedly one of the outstanding personalities of his time. He was a great publicist and wielded an enormous influence in the moulding of public opinion. His journalistic career commenced early and at 21 we find him editor of The Darlington Echo. Some few years afterwards he was invited to join the staff of The Pall Mall Gazette as assistant to Lord Morley, and on Morley’s retirement, in 1880, Stead assumed the editorial chair, conducting the Pall Mall Gazette until 1890 when he founded The Review of Rezhezvs. On Morley’s retirement Stead instituted a complete change in the policy of the paper, and introduced what became known as The New Journalism. He conducted vigorous campaigns, drawing public attention to many of the blots existent in the social fabric, one of his earliest being his famous “Maiden Tribute to Modern Babylon.” For his outspokenness Stead was prosecuted and served a period of imprisonment in Holloway Goal. However, various changes in the Criminal Law were the outcome of his disclosures. Stead’s activities were astounding. He maintained a remarkable correspondence, receiving

and exchanging opinions with kings and statesmen, with ecclesiastical dignitaries, explorers, artists and artisans. His friendships extended from the highest to the lowest, not only in England, but throughout the world. He was an ardent imperialist, believing that England should not further extend her Dominion, but should devote her attention to the development of her existing territories. He did not approve of our war with the Boers, and gained for himself, during this period, the stigma of pro-Boerism. He was intensely religious, and as the son of a Non-conformist Minister, his early

upbringing in a typical Victorian religious atmosphere was strict in the extreme. In the early years his outlook on life was certainly narrow, but broadened considerably as time passed. His interest in spiritualism and the famous “Julia” did not commence until late in life. His new faith aroused much hostility and criticism amongst his friends, but he strongly clung to his beliefs right up to the time of his tragic death in the great Titanic disaster. In writing the biography. Mr. White has performed a difficult task in admirable fashion. The book is not only the life of an outstanding personality, but is a most interesting review of events between the years 1880-1905. TTARVEY H. COOK, a New -*• Zealander born and educated in Christchurch, is responsible for

a really good novel, depicting life in this country. "Far Flung" (John Long Ltd.) is a fine study of outback life in the little town of Mawanui and the surrounding country. The author's characterisation is good (Mr. McConchie, the erratic and delightful tailor, is a masterpiece of fiction character creation), and the descriptions of scenery and country life are true to nature. His one fault is that he is apt to amplify dialogue at the expense of the action of the story. Particularly good is the awe-inspiring description of the great bush fire which brings devastation to Mawanui. The hero

of the story is Silas Bond, an uneducated but strong personality, determined to carve a fortune from the saw-milling industry. His meeting with Millicent Hastings, the school-teacher, and ■ their subsequent romance, is the thread on which hangs the rest of this entertaining story. We are looking forward to more from the pen of this gifted author. (Through Whitcombe and Tombs.) " A CABINET Secret and Other Stories” is the title of a collection of short stories from the pen of E. R. Wheeler, another New Zealand writer. While not possessing any great outstanding literary merit, the stories are well told, and •should provide entertainment in whiling away an odd hour or so. Our copy through the publishers, Whitcombe and Tombs.

"TTELEN," by Edward Lucas *- ■*■ White, is the story of the romance of Helen of Troy and her three husbands, Menelaus of Sparta, Paris of Troy, and Deiphobus of Troy; told in seven tales, the seven crises of her life. In the author's words, "the tales are the outcome of years of pondering on the possible historical events out of which grew the legends of the Homeric tale of Troy." Here we have the heroes of the ancient world stripped of the supernatural aid of gods and goddesses, living, thinking and fighting as just ordinary mortals. Helen stands out the most womanly of all women, with all the inconsequentialities of her sex delightfully portrayed and held up for our criticism. It is a daring experiment to so tamper with Homer, but Mr. White succeeds delightfully. Our copy from Whitcombe and Tombs Limited.