The Bookshelf.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 20, 13 November 1912, Page 45

The Bookshelf.

By

DELTA,

feuiixeton. Some Fisher Unwin New Publications. THOUGH many books have been issued dealing with the public social life of the Second Empire, there is none that we can remember that gives us such pleasant glimpses of the private life of the Emperor and Empress as are shown in Dr. Barthez’s hook, which is entitled “'The Empress Eugenie and Her Circle,’’ and of wh’eh an English translation has been made by 3lr. Bernard Miall, for Mr. T. Fisher Unwin, who has issued it at 10/6 net. The work takes the form of a collection of letters, written only for intimate reading. by Dr. Barthez, who was physician to the Prince Imperial. Too many memoirs of the Second Empire fatigue us with the cheap pomposity and artificial itv of that sterile period; but Dr. Bariliez —who writes from Saint-Cloud and Biarritz —was fortunate in seeing the natural, spontaneous, and human side of the Imperial couple. His professional duties were somewhat superogatory, the Prince being entirely in the hands of a masterful English nurse. When he is not required, or when the house party grows too boisterous for his taste, he slips upstairs to write to his “dear and good Octavie.” The doctor gives us a. singular picture of the holiday Court, yet a. pleasanter one than that left by most writers of the time: the Emperor, a little heavy and obstinate, but simple, kindly, actively benevolent, and evidently lovable; the Empress, high-spirited 'and prejudiced, with the manners of a rompiim schoolgirl: both always on the point of falling victims to ennui, and to escape it throwing themselves into the ordinary amusements of the uncultivated; excursion after excursion, picnic after picnic, and in the evening, games, mostly of a kind that involves active “rugging,” or the discussion of such subjects as magnetism, table-turning, etc., etc. Onlv towards the end of the book do we find men of the calibre of Merimee commandeered to amuse the Imperial circle. The book should be read as giving a picture of two historical figures in their unaffected moments. Christmas: In Ritual and T.'adition,.Christian and Pagan. Mr. Clement A. Miles has written, and Mr. T. Fisher Unwin has published, a volume bearing the title of our headline, which throws an exceedingly interesting light on the ritual observed in Christmas festivities. That much of the ritual observed in religious and other festivals are survivals of Paganism many people are aware, but how Christian and Pagan custom and festivity became blended into one is a matter that is known only to those who have made a serious study of ti : subject. In Mr. Miles’ work an attempt has been made to give some idea of tlie manner in which Christmas is. and has been, celebrated in various parts of Europe, and to separate' as far as possible. the Pagan and Christian elements, showing, however, how one has influenced the other, many heathen practices having taken on a Christian form, while the Church’s celebration 'has gained in warmth and humanity by contact with cirlier festal customs. The first part of the book is devoted to studies of the < liristian aspects of the festival as reileetcd in poetry, ritual and drama, while ni the second part are described, and when possible explained, numerous Pagan t'Ustoius and superstitions belonging to Christinas and its neighbouring festivals. Care has been taken by Mr. Miles to preserve the charm and picturesqueness proper to these festivals, and at the same tune make his work of value to serious students. Marriage. A new novel by Mr. H. G. Wells is always an event in the literary world; indeed one might suy a startling event of late, so candidly does he write on social ,n atters sex. His new novel Marriage,’’ however, contains nothing to shock readers, though the subject in Mr.

Wells’ hands might easily have been made taboo to fastidious readers. It is about a marriage that at first promised badly, but ended happily. As usual. Mr. Wells has used the book as a vehicle to convey to the world at large, for he has undoubtedly a large and intellectual audience, his ideas on politics, socialism, woman's suffrage, philanthropic fads, and, in short, on almost every popular movement going. But however we may differ with Mr. Wells, he is an author who is always worth reading. though it is grievous to think of the great moral and social mentor he might have been had he not run amok on the sex problem. Banned Books. Air. Clement Shorter, who is the editor of, and who contributes every week a most delightful literary letter to the ‘‘Sphere,” has been delivering himself of a protest against the banning by the Circulating Libraries’ Association of “The

laughters of Ishmael,” by Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman; “The Hussey,” by Mr. dames Lancaster; and Strindberg's “Confessions of a Fool” (English translation). Mr. Shorter, while he sees nothing to object to in any of these books, and who praises highly i'ho Kauffman’s collaboration as “aT work of the highest moral value,” sees clearly’, as all sensible people must see, that this banning is the finest advertisement these books could have. Now, that there are many social evils that require removing is plain. And a united public protest is imperative to put down this particular evil, for social evils, such as are dealt with in the Kauffman’s book, would become instantly non-existent in the light of publicity. Concerning this question of immoral books, it has always seemed to us that a book is made moral or immoral according to the design of the writer. For the designedly immoral book we have the deepest and the most execrable contempt. But a greater dis-

crimination should be shown in prohibiting. as in th? ease of ‘‘The Daughters of Ishmael.’’ and certainly youth should not be allowed access to them. Eugenics and Love. The science of eugenics as taught by the majority of its teachers would seem to bar sentiment in the choo»in<* of mates. Sir J. Crichton Brown's views on the marriage problem, and hi> interesting reference the other dav to “Love at First Sight." has caused a good deal of discussion. In the course of the paper which he read at the conference of the sanitary inspectors in Sheffield, he said: “1 am a believer in a love match not only from a romantic but from the eugenic point of view.*’ Apropos of this deliverance. it is interesting to note that the Putnams have published a little book by the great Norwegian feminist, Ellen Kley, entitled “Love and Ethics,” in which the author applies the theories of eugenics to those intimate questions which concern every man and woman Gift Book for Boys. A few weeks and the gift season will be upon us. and parents, teachers and guardians will be grappling with the question of which book is most suitable to give their own boy or girl. A book for

boys which we specially recommend tu any donor who does not think 7/6 too much to pay for their Christmas gift, id Bayard Taylor’s “Boys of Other Countries” (Putnams). Th? book is profusely illustrated, and the coloured frontispiece quit? a work of art. A Holiday Companion. Readers of “Punch’’ who are acquainted with “The Rabbits" and also those readers who remember that delightful melange. “The Day's Play,” will be tielighted to hear that Mr. Milne, the “A.A.M.” of “Plinth,” has another book coming out with the Methuen's, entitled “The Holiday Round.” As in “The Day's Play,” it is a collection of sketches and dialogues that have already appeared in that leading humorous journal. There is no need to dilate on the many excellencies of Mr. Milne’s yvork. The fact that he is a regular and a valued contributor to “Punch’’ i» sufficient voucher.

REVIEWS. The Turnstile : By A. E. \\ . Masoir. (London: Hodder and Stoughton. Auckland : Wildman and Arey.) That the world is a very circum scribed place, and that some marriages are indeed arranged by the powers that be will be strongly realised by the reader long before he reaches the end of Mr. Mason's very sterling romance, which relates how an unknown girl in South America sends a cable message, on the eve of his journey, to an Arctic explorer about to essay the discovery of the South Pole, and expressive of her heart felt wishes for a triumphant return, a mes sage which he never troubles to read, so concentrated are his thoughts on his projected task. Years after he meets this girl in London and marries her, still unaware that he was the hero of her girlhood. and in almost as great ignorance oi her real character as he was of the contents of her cabled message. Mr. Mason is better known in this Dominion we think, as a writer than as a very able member of the House of Commons, where he is looked upon as a no inconsiderable authority on Indian matters. What he thinks of Western education for Indian Princes is vigorously told in his superbly written “Broken Road." As representative of an important industrial constituency .Mr. Mason takes himself seriously. But not too seriously, as will be seen “The Turnstile” which, while it is eminently a novel of characterisation, is also largely a novel of high politics. Vocation would seem to be the point on which thh story turns. For Mr. Mason argues clearly that whatever deviations a man may make from his true vocation during his career he will always be found at its most momentous turns, grappling with despair ami regret for not hiving followed the path ordained for him by fate, or what you will. Captain Raines, the hero of this story, was ordained for explora tion, but turned aside to enter the parliamentary arena for which he had no vocation. Tie marries a girl who was prepared to love him “ for the dangers he had passed.” because she had money, and could help him in his political career. But he learns to love her for her line qualities and in the light of that love learn-- the bis duty lies in following his true vocation of exploration. Much as we appreciate what may be termed as the sentimental part of Mr. Mason’s line story, “The Turnstile” is most interesting to us as an expression of his views on the English Land Bill, and the qualities he. thinks necessary that the aspirant to parliamentary representation should have. Character, Air Mason stoutly asseverates, is the only thing that really counts in the House of Commons. And we cordially agree with him. It is the only thing that really counts in any walk of life. Our readers on no account must miss “ The Turnstile.” Mrs. Lancelot : A Comedy of Assumptions : By Maurice Hewlett. (London: Macmillan and Co. Auckland: Wildman and Arey.) Hewlett has in “ Mrs. Lancelot chosen as his period that of the reign of William IV. during the days when the passing of the Reform Bill was the most important measure of the day. Mrs Lancelot was the very young wife of Charles Lancelot, a clerk in the foreign office who w-u thoroughly imbued with the conviction that a great career was before him. To be sure, his present position, though he was a man of good family who had influential connections, was a lowly one. but it had been said more than on. o that Lord Monthermer, a persona grata at Court, and a rising star in the political world, had his eye on him. But though Lancelot saw’ his Marquis become a Duke, and the Prime Minister of England, he still remained a clerk, till that red letter day when the Prime Minister’s eye fell upon Airs. Lancelot at Mrs. Mayduke's, who was upon this auspicious occasion the Duke's hostess. Though the Duke was married and had grown-up sons he had still a great reputation for gallantry and a great liking for Mrs. Lancelot grew up in him. which society perceiving, and though it had barely condescended to recognise Mrs. Lancelot's existence before, now poured upon her favours and invitations by the score. Now. thought Lancelot is my chance with the Duke. And as l>ancelot thought so it. fell out and h( had the satisfaction of being appointed secretary to the Duke which involved the residing in a suite of apartments in the ducal house. A trial of Mrs laiitceiot’s virtue proved to the Duke that she was honest and henceforward, though his love for

her daily increased he treated her as a W ell-beloved daughter. Now from the first J-aueelot's love for his wife was of the vapid sort, and her's such poor stuff that it had dried as a result of his indifference when their child was born dead. So Mrs. Lancelot had still to be awakened to real passion. Who. and how she was awakened is the theme on which Mr. Hewlett has dilated with his usual human understanding and felicity of narration. The moral of Mr. Hewlett's storv is plain. Love and political ambition cannot reside in the same tenement. Irrespective of the love interest, and the introduction of real ami well-known historic personages into the action of the storv. the book presents a highly finished and realistic picture of the high life of that period which will be keenly relished bv the student of history. Less glamorous than is the usual run of Mr. Hewlett's romance •’Mrs. Lancelot” is bound to interest the reader by sheer artistic merit ami the novelty of its main theme. Yet we could have wished that Mrs. Lancelot had sent her lover away. I'vr we cannot help thinking that hers was a "'wingless victory. Hut the story would have been dubbed un-Hewlettian. Mrs. Ames: By G. F. Benson. (London : Hodder and Stoughton. Auckland : Wildman and Arey.) Mr Benson we feel sure must have revelled in the writing of the first part of th:.- .-lory, which depicts as only Mr. Benson could, the life of the upper class society of a small country town which boasts a gentlemen's club, a golf links, and whose upper class inhabitants being more or less connected with ••'county,'' outrival the real county people in foolish struggle for social precedence. But. midway. Mr Benson's farcical comedy gravitate* towards tragedy, tragedy that persists to the end. But Mr. Benson's i>ook must be read. Those readers who have a liking for the farcical side of life will simply fevel in the author's description of the Shakesperean Fancy Dress Ba'! given by the but newly arrived Mrs. Evans, who by virtue of her better looks and her relationship to a local titled bigwig. had more than once made an attempt to oust Mrs. Ames from the position of social leader in Itise'bdrough society, which she had maintained so long and so unquestioned : a fancy dress ball at which no fewer than three elderly Anthony’s, and four elderly Cleopatra's, who hail each imagined themselves the only representative of that famous or infamous Shakesperean character. And when we add that the most personable Anthony had assumed the character unknown to his wife (who had in iter turn a—timed the role of the famous Egyptian Circe, to give her husband a pleasant surprise i. in order to play to the most personable Cleopatra of the affair, the reader will guess that jealousy and Mrs Grundy were never more realists.dly represented than on this occasion. nile those readers who . love to have t i er feelings harrowed, and who firmly beh've. like the late Charles Kingsley, teat " the wages of sin is death ” will follow with feverish attention poor Mrs. Am. -' tragedy. How some suffragettes - made may be glimpsed also in Mr Benson's story. Mrs Ames is almost >n original creation. She holds our in-"-1. respect and admiration from first last. In short, and as is usual with li'is author, there is something of in--1 | -t and entertainment for nearly every vl-.i-s of l>ct readers.

The Dream Girl : By Gertrude Hart. Mellioiirne : George Robertson and Auckland: Wildman and Arey.> Ihe Dream Girl’* is the sweetest, '•aiiithM love-story imaginable. liesides '"‘‘“g of uncommon design. Following .dnio*t disused fashion the author ’vudw ea<-h letter, for the hero and hero :!l tell the *tory by the interchange of ‘ x • ding| \ roiicUe an<l delight fully clever with a poetical quotation, which ’•licily yet comprehensively indicates it» ' »id.*nt>. Mis. Browning's beautiful lines: I lived with visions for my company bi*tea«| of men and women years ago.’’ J | - supplied the author with the motif, ,; "l the action of this charming comedy •akes place in a boardinghouse in Mel*u,,rin*, where Max Herrick and Mollie Wol. its hero and heroine, temporarily Herrick is a writer of independent means. Mollie i» aty piste, who,

iu addition to typing Herrick’s work, Itfcomes his keenest eritie and valued aS viser. In this way the two become good comrades, though neither imagine themselves in love with the other. Then front Mollie comes the suggestion that Herrick shall enter into a correspondence with a reputed country friend of hers whom she designates the ‘"Dream Girl.” ' Max agrees. With the result that as the “ Dream Girl ” unfolds her mind through the medium of the spirited correspondence which ensues, Herrick glimpses in the writer a beautiful and unselfish personality and, as might be expected, falls in love with it and insists upon the dream girl disclosing her real identity. To Mollie's secret dismay, for being in receipt of Herrick's replies and having read in one that he was “not in love with Mollie." it discovers to her that she is in love with Herrick and she fears that when the deception is laid bare that she will lose him lioth as lover and comrade. But we shall leave the reader to discover the denouement of as fresh and as charming a romance as ever emanated from the pen of an Australian writer. The dainty format, anil the very attractive illustrations of this little volume, which are by that clever artist Mr. Tom Shield, make ■'The Dream Girl" peculiarly suitable as a gift book. Indeed, but for the possibly wider market Australian writers might (?) secure for their literary wares by publishing at “ Home,” it would be impossible to imagine either as to text, illustration, or general appearance any more creditable agents than the firm of George Hobertson aud Co.

The Mystery Queen : By Fe:pis Hume. (Melbourne : Ward, laick and Co. Auckland : Wildman and A ivy 3 Mr. Fergus Hume’s new story, " The Mystery Queen.” assuredly exceeds in thrills, sensations. gruesomeness, exciting incident and perilous adventure. any story of his we have ever read before. The plot revolves round the persons of a millionaire baronet, his daughter. her lover, and a ban of villains, composed of both sexes, who call themselves the “ Society of Flies.” and whose avowed mission is to stab, poison, otherwise murder any rich person, any moiety of whos • wealth could be diverted into the coffers. The head of this nefarious gang is a woman, whose villainous and murderous schemes certainly put to the blush any masculine villainy we have encounted in fiction. Here is an outline of the plot. Sir ( harles Moon, a wealthy millionaire, is found murdered in his library, an hour or two after he has refused to let his daughter marry a worthy, but penniless airman. His brother and successor. Sir John Moon, also refuses hi> consent to the marriage, on the rmgrounds. but is magnanimous enough to promise that if the airman can bring to justice his brother’s murderer, or murder ers, his reward shall be the heiress’s baud. The ingenuity shown by Mr. Hume in the concoction and unravelling of this very intricate plot is almost uncanny. But a writer of Mr. Hume’s skill and experience in the management of plots knows just how far he may impose with credit on reader's credulity. And his highly sensational denouement, which consists of blowing up by dynamite the whole of the members of the Society of Flies satisfies those readers who believe in the punishment of vice, while those who like to see virtue triumphant are consoled by the happy mating of the hen, and heroine. BITS FROM THE NEW BOOKS. Women: By One of Them. “The queer thing about women is that they are made so much younger in their heads than in their bodies that nothing will induce them to accept the inevitabkhiess of just nature. A wife of fifty will cry lor the lover her husband was to her at twenty." ‘•After a young wife passes out of the wedding-ring glamour of the first year of her marriage she is more than apt to Be in the state of a chicken with the head otT. Her wings keep on moving, but her mind does not." “Eve’s Second Husband," by Cora Harris. Le Qneux on Love. “Yes. 1 had loved her from the very first moment when we bad met at the house of a friend a year ago. “By Jove! ... 1 loved her entirely and devotedly ... 1 loved her—ay, loved her as only a young ami enthusiastic man can love—better than my own life itself. . . . As we stood there in the autumn twilight in that line room. I clasped her to my heart and rained kisses upon her fair face. hot. passionate kisses, my arm about her slim waist, my hand brushing back the dark hair from her white brow. The blinds had not been drawn, and from where we stood we could command a fine view over the myriad lights of the town, ami the flashing masthead lights of the warships signalling in Torbay. “‘My darling!' I murmurmed. ‘My own sweet darling!'"—“W ithout Trace,” by William Lc Quex. Slow Suicide. “The entirely self-centred man is always a man slowly killing himself.

Glen Eyre : By Mary Grant Bruce. (Melbourne : Ward. Lock and Co. Auckland : Wildman and Arey.) This author bids fair to outrival in ideal presentation, and popular favour the sisters Turner, whose delightful Australian stories have for so long held the interest, and melted the hearts of English youth all the world over. “Glen Eyre” is the very model of what a story for youth should be, ideally wholesome, simple in narration, yet highly instructive, interesting and entertaining, and wholly natural and sympathetic in depiction. And above all penned by a writer who thoroughly knows-and loves both her subject and the audience to whom it is presented. “ Glen Eyre ”is a story of Australian bush farm life! and its scenes are set in the hill country of Gippsland. where drought, alternated by floods, is not uncommon. where venomous snakes abound, and bush fires in summer are a common and an unappeasable foe. Angus Ogilvie, the owner of “Glen Eyre,” and father of the boy and girl with whose fortunes this narrative is principally con corned, had been twice left a widower, and Mrs. Bruce’s task of love has been to show how splendidly, because almost unaided, the three children of these two marriages acquitted themselves in the strenuous life lived by Gippsland small farmers in general, who. despite inefficient help, and insufficient capital, and the dangers aforementioned, manage to wring by unremitting toil and dauntless courage, and after many days, a generous moiety of that capricious Dame's prodigal gifts. Truly, the pioneers of a new country are worthy of canonisation, and never has their title to canonisation been made more clear than iu this story of “Glen Eyre.” For deeds of “ derring do." the world has unstinted admiration. But of the greater heroism of lives lived in strenuous and pati»nt endeavours to cope with the forces, dangers and adverse moods of nature such as are depicted iu “Glen Eyre” and similar narratives, the world takes little account. Yet these are the heroes who toil for posterity. There are heroes who have taught their fellows how to die. The greatest heroes are they who have taught them how to “ live "•—under adverse circumstances. And of these are the little personages of Mrs. Bruce's heart-stirring story. And

herein lies the moral of “Glen Eyre : A story for children—and adults —who may read it with equal profit and pleasure.

. . . "Bachelors do not usually live a» Jong as married men; yet no observer * the world would maintain that bache! really take less care of themselves. No, they are always taking care of them selves, and it- is the care that j-horien their lives.”-—“ln Gott on Wool,” by W B. Maxwell. A Dress and An Era. “A new dressmaker is a new era in a woman’s life, anJ every woman loves a new era.”—“The Modern Market Place.” t»y Coronet. None But the Bold . . “In the innermost recesses of theirheart.* there are a nuniiier of cohl women who adore a bold buccaneer.”— “Haleyone,” by Elinor Glyn. Hooked from • Tenterhooks. ’ “’rhe real IxHidoncr is a good deal of a child, and loves Punch and Judy show*, and conjuring tri k* *ymbolieally speaking—and is often dreaming of the dnuhe of meeting *orn<* spring novelty in the way of romance.” “Women like Inst a kiiiJ. c’.rver ni’.n who can always be trusted and occasion ally—if necessary deceived.” ‘renterhook*,'' bv Ada Leverson.