In the Bookman s Corner

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 5, Issue 1, 1 July 1926, Page 46

In the Bookman s Corner

<IA Treasury Of CNjew Zealand Verse ' I } hough New Zealand is the young- .-*• est of the larger Dominions of the British Empire, with a population numbering about one-fifth of that of London, and with less than a century of literary life, she can boast of quite a number of gifted songsters, and can justly claim to possess the beginnings of a noble national literature. It is true that her pioneer poets were chiefly immigrants, but two or three successive generations have now been reared on her soil, and the inspiration that the younger poets have drawn from their beautiful environment affords a rich treasury of pleasing verse that augers well for the literary future of the young nation, and will be a goodly heritage for generations yet to come. Many years ago the Sir Walter Scott Publishing Company issued a small volume called "A Treasury of New Zealand Verse." This, however, has been long out of print, and it is gratifying to see that Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs have thought it of sufficient value to republish. W. F. Alexander and A. E. Currie are the joint editors of the new edition and, needless to say, have made considerable changes to the original selection of New Zealand's representative poets. Many of the older poems have been dropped, and much from the pens of a younger generation added. In the case of an anthology, selection is a difficult business, but in this instance we think the editors have done their work wisely and well. This "Treasury of Verse" is indeed a welcome volume, and one every lover of New Zealand will add to his or her collection.—Our copy from the publishers. i Indigestion is such a widespread complaint of humanity one would imagine that really good textbooks of remedial treatment should be assured a wide sale. One of the best books we have read dealing with the subject 'is a little volume by Arthur L. Holland, M.D., entitled "Indigestion: what it is, and how to prevent it." In plain technical style this book gives all facts concerning treatment and methods of prevention. Special attention is given to hygiene, and the curative exercises outlined should be of considerable help to all sufferers. Published by D. Appleton. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. ; I *hat business is not the prosaic A thing it seems on the surface, is evidenced by delving into the pages of an extremely interesting book. "The Romance of Great Businesses," by William Henry Beable (Heath Cranton, Ltd.). There is much glamour in the stories Mr. Beable tells of the beginnings and the rise to prosperity of great firms such as Cadbury's, W. H. Smith's, Lyons, the great catering firm, Colman's, of mustard fame, and others whose names have become world-famous.

John Galsworthy, novelist and dramatist. Made his first hit with "The Man of Property," in 1906, after he had been writing for eight years. His plays, "The Silver Box," "Strife." and "Justice" are among the few of our time which are genuine works of literature. His best-known novels are "The Country House," "Fraternity." "The Island Pharisees," and "The Patrician," "The Forsythe Saga," published in 1923, and "Captures," in 1924. "The White Monkey" and "Caravan," a collection of his shorter stories, were published in 1925. A note regarding his new novel appears elsewhere on this page.

::;: U';;;;M";ii.!::i!:i;i;;;M;:';j;;;:::;-:':;i:;ii;:T;:!!iv;;:i;;--![;;!;ii: ; ;:i;;:;';:;;.;;:;::i.:: ■i':::!:;';:i:!:.::;.!:i::i:;i!i::!;::!:!:!!:n!::!!:;:v!i:ra' Most of the great firms now dominating their particular spheres of business had very humble beginnings, and only attained prominence after many years of struggle, and in some cases many resurrections from apparent failure to ultimate glittering success. The book is a most interesting exposition of the value of grit and perseverance in triumphing over the difficulties attendant on the building of great enterprises. Our copy through Whitcombc and Tombs Limited. Ravels Worth Treading A writer of Western stories, W. ■*■*• C. Tuttle, has a wide public in America, though little known to English or Colonial readers. In introducing this author to our reading public, Collins Brothers, in a prefatory • note to "Ghost Trails" remark they believe that Mr. Tuttle has a great future, and is undoubtedly certain of a wide following when we become better acquainted with his virile novels. "Ghost Trails" is a typical Western novel of quick action, with plenty of thrills. The heroes are two humorous, though on occasion deadly enough, cowboys, who are requisitioned by a millionaire ranch-owner to locate and suppress a mysterious gang of rustlers who are depleting the Circle Cross range of'live stock. Their adventures before final success make a most exciting and readable tale. Through Whitcombe and Tombs, Limited.

; I Svo novels from'Cassell and Co. -*- make interesting reading. The first, "The Misleading Lady," by S. Andrew Wood, has a fascinating heroine named Bobby, a much-too-interesting and pretty girl to be wasted as secretary to a Madame Gloria, private enquiry agent and blackmailer. She throws up her situation, incidentally locking her employer in a cupboard. Nemesis counters this by placing Bobby in compromising circumstances, beside David Garside, whose wealthy match-making aunt, Grizel Garside, sends to the newspapers an announcement conveying the impression that the couple are married. The amusing and exciting story which grows out of this setting proceeds to a climax that brings to most of the people concerned in it, just what the reader would wish them to get. "Unresting Year," by Alice Massie, takes us back to early Victorian days at the time of the Crimean War. It is a delightful story of family life of the period; the characters are strongly drawn, and move in their Victorian surroundings with the dignity and circumstances befitting the times. We are made to realise the "respectable" reticence that then prevailed on all matters of sex and passion; but at the same time it is evident that in those days youthful hearts beat much the same as they do now, that Love quickened and dominated, and often operated beyond the strict lines of "Propriety" which were laid down for the maidens of the days of frills and flounces.—Through Whitcombe and Tombs, Limited. A new book by John Galsworthy **• is something of an event in the literary world, especially when it is a continuation of the "Forsyte Saga." The new volume is entitled "The Silver Spoon," and is the story of Fleur and Michael Mont, and of those of the Forsyte family who appeared or reappeared in "The White Monkey." It will form the second part of his second Forsyte triology—a triology which represents modern England and the London of to-day. "The Silver Spoon" is due shortly in New Zealand, tpor some time past Mr. H. G. A Wells has been engaged on a monumental novel, which he has titled "The World of William Clissold." The publishers, Messrs. Ernest Benn, announce that it will very shortly be off the press. The first edition will be limited to five hundred copies, specially bound in six volumes, in each of which William Clissold surveys his world from a different angle. Mr. Wells will sign the first volume of each set in this edition. The ordinary edition will be issued in two long volumes. A pocket edition of Mr. Wells' works in uniform volumes is also in course of preparation by the same publishers. "TTTThen the Devil was Sick" VV is the hectic title of a rather exciting novel. One Trumbull is ordered by his doctor to take a sea trip, but Trumbull,

whose interests are centered on a yoting lady in the Adirondack Mountains, does not want to go. He induces Trask, an old classmate, to take his place. And so begins this mad masquerade. Trask does noithing by halves. If he was to impersonate a sick man, he'd; really be 'sick. He'd fool doctors and nurses alike. Nothing less than total disability for Trask! And off he is carried aboard the steamship "Gulf Stream." The day comes when Trask gets tired of the sham. He wants to get well. He wants to walk the decks with a certain goddess. He wants to dance with the adventure girl. But hovering over him is the brawny might of his male nurse, the ex-prize fighter, Keeler. Keeler is gentle, but Keeler is firm. Imagine all the humorous situations that might arise in such a case, and you won't imagine half that E. J. Rath has put into this story. There's a wreck, and a derelict, and —but that is telling; you should read it yourself.—G. H. Watt: through Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. !in;iiiiiiiii!!B:!iiiiiii!i!i!:ii:ii:!ii:i!i! imuiiuiiiinimiiuininiiiuiiiiiiiinEEiiiiiinuiutiiiuiuiiiiminiiiiiHitEiiiiniii!