BOOKS AND BOOKMEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XIII, 1 April 1899, Page 401

BOOKS AND BOOKMEN.

THE GOSPEL WRIT IN STEEL. Here w ( . have a book written in a forcible, homely style, full of excellencies of various kinds and suggestively inculcating a wholesome philosophy throughout its length and in the character of John Burletson. stimulative lessons of noble unselfishness. Mr Paterson writes interestingly very interestingly and never fails to imbue the homeliest of his characters with a personality defined and well-eoloured. He can draw pictures of war. which, while strongly breathing sentiments of courage and patriotism, show us those sides of l>oth victory ami defeat which novel-writers, as a rule, are inclined to gloss over. There are plenty of stirring incidents to b e met wi’th in -The Gospel Writ in Steel,’ and they are handled with a skill and knowledge of the subject that impresses them on the reader’s mind. Mr Paterson clearly has a strong belief in the better side of human nature, and he makes the various types of character he deals with happily and naturally justify his belief. BISMILLAH. The scenes and people we are introduced to in ‘Bismillah’ present a striking contrast to those we. met with in the preceding- novel. The scenes are laid in Morocco, ‘the country of blood, sunshine and apathetically endured tyranny,’ and the scenes and tin* wavs of thinking and living of the folks who people the scenes have, for the most part, the charm of novelty for the general reader. The story would certainly have been improved by some judicious cutting down, as it is rather overgrown in length and moves slowly and a trifle heavily at times, but. on the whole, it is well and interestingly written by one who knows intimately, not only the Morocco of Tangier, but districts of the country which come little within the ken of the ordinarv English traveller.

THE ADVENTURES OF FRANCOIS. A very readable book this. That, it should not lack plenty of stirring interest may be readily guessed by an enumeration of the roles the hero filled during the terrible, exciting times of the great. French Revolution —for Francois, the foundling, saw life then as thief, juggler, and fencing master. But though, through some queer twist in his mind, Francois could never understand the sacredness of a man’s right to his own personal property the poor thief’s kind heart, large mindedness, nimble, wit, and never-failing mirth, make what would render another man abhorrent to honest folks, a merely adventitious blot on his otherwise lovable character. The tale of Francois’ adventures is told graph ieally and crisply, and clearly outlined: vividly-painted little pictures of life, as it went on in Paris and France, during the nation's attack of frenzied convulsions, are thrown in, as it were, by the way. here and there throughout the book with capital effect. For instance, a few casual words suffice to bring before us the. picture of Marie Antoinette sitting in the cart on her way to the guillotine as Francois saw her. but the picture leaves an indelible impression on one’s mind. TWO MEN O’ MEN I>ll’. A simple rustie folk, speaking the Somersetshire dialect and leading a simple rustie life, chequered with the homeliest of joys and sorrows it is among these that this story leads the reader, and the latter would scarcely expect to find, running- through a story in such a setting, a strain of blood and passion that ends in a tragedy of the deepest pathos. Mr Raymond has the power of making- his

characters interesting. We admire and like proud, sturdy, simple John Winterhead, and regretfully see his lapse from his own standard of rightdoing with the eonseqlienees that follow Io himself and others. The love story of ill-fated little Patty Winterhead and her unhappy lover, Giles Slanderwick, is told from beginning- to end with a delicacy and skill that enlists our closest sympathy with both the unfortunate young people, even I hough we know the dark secret that Giles holds in his breast. The culminating tragedy is related swiftly and quietly. The author lays a restraining hand on his pen and intensifies the elements of tragic pathos which envelop the close of the story by not

dwelling- upon them. It is wise sometimes to put confidence in the reader's powers of imagination and sympathy. IN lIIS STEPS. This is a work that deserves a thcsipl.tful leading. It is ealled a sermon storx, and begins by telling how the chief men and women of a certain church. headed by their clergyman, bind themselves for a year to do, in all their private and business relations, what they think Jesus Christ would do were he in their places. It then goes on to show how t’rs touchstone of conduct acts witii each of them—how vividly it reveals to them their sins of omission and commission, shows them duties undreamed of before, brings them face to face with difficulties hard to overcome. The reader follows with strong interest the recital of their difficulties, discouragements, consolations, eneoi.i agements. and successes. The book is written ably and earnestly, ami, if eaicfully read, is not likely to let itself in laid aside without inducing much profitable reflection on the part of the careful reader sis to how far it might be possible, even in this complex modern world of our-, to make the rules and the example which Christ gave us the real and not the merely nominal guide of conduct among the Christian peoples.

To the ‘Pall Mall Magazine’ of February Sir Clmries Dilke contributes a paper on N- w foundland, which should help to clarity the British public's views on the question of the difficulties which have arisen between France and Great Biitain in Newfoundland. Sir Hugh Gough gives us some more of his stirring reminiscences, ami an illustrated article on European military balloonig is likely to prove interesting to a large number of readers. Messrs Marriott-Watson, Clark Russell, ami S. IL Crocket continue their respective serial contributions; and there ate two or three short stories, the best of which is ‘The Wooing of \minta. The illustrations are up to the ‘Pali Mall's' usual high mark of excellence in this department.

I have received from Macmillan and Co. Part :•() of F. Ratzel's carefully written and bountifully illustrated ‘History of Mankind.’ The two large coloured piates contained in this number are beautifully executed.

I have received from G. Ricordi and Co., 2G5, Regent-street, London, a new song by Napoleone Zardo with charming- words by Percy Pinkerton. The song, whirl/ is entiled ‘The Star of Hope,' has a delicate melody, and presents few difficulties of execution to either singer or accompanist. It is published in three keys —in A flat, in F, and in E Hat.

1 am glad to see that a song, published by J. 11. Kingsley, of New Plymouth, which was favourably reviewed in the ‘Graphic’ some time ago, now appears in its second edition. It is called ‘At Last,’ and is a pretty little thing that deserves the success it has ail a i ltd. The music is by Geo. Garry, ami the words by Edith Grace Levy. It is published, with violin obligato, in the key of 1).

Mr Kingsley also sends me a copy of Mr Garry's arrangement for the pianoforte of the well-known and popular American schottisehe ‘I want yer, ma honey.' It is the only one published in the colony.

The Gospel Writ in Steel,’ ny Atlhur Paterson: Macmillan and Co.—Chainptaloup and Cooper. •Hi'smillah,’ by A. J. Dawson: Macmillan an<l <'o.—Champtaloup and Cooper. ■The Adventures of Francois,' by S. Weir Mitchell, M.D.: Macmillan and Co.— Champtaloup and Cooper. ■Two men o'Mendlp,’ by Walter Haymond: Longmans, Green and Co. ■ln His Steps,' by Chas. M. Sheldon: Ward. Lock and Co.—R. Spreckley.