NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 20, 24 May 1923, Page 30

NOTES

A Novelist of Promise

Francis Brett Young has written some novels which are considerably above the average standard of English fiction of the present day. Critics have imagined that they have found in his books inspirations from such different sources as Conrad and Arnold Bennett, but he has sufficient individuality to stand on his own feet without seeking any such props. Among his works up to date may be named Underr/rowth, Deep Sea, The Dark Tower, The Iron Ape, and The Crescent if non. He can create atmosphere, he can infuse character into his heroes, and he can write : three things in which he is superior to most of his rivals. Of his versatility his novels are proof, and additional proof is evident in a volume of poems which are perhaps as good as most things presented to us in a set of volumes published under the name of Georgian Poetry, mostly not worth reading. Our readers, however, may expect to find in a novel by Francis Brett Young not only romance and vision but also mastery of the art of writing. On the whole he is likely to take a high place among the modern story-tellers, which, after all, is no more than saying that he is among the best of a rather poor lot.

All Overrated Novelist Even Protestant critics confess that when one takes up a novel by a Catholic he will find a clean, wholesome book. There are exceptions, but as a general rule Catholic writers art clean, which is much to say in their favor in our day. This can certainly be said of the novels of Isabel Clarke, who is considerably advertised and much read nowadays. If she is not helpful she is harmless, and her books pass an idle hour as profitably as would betting on a race of raindrops s on the window or trying to blow rings of smoke from cigarettes—we exclude the masculine pipe, because we imagine her admirers are of the gentle sex. On the whole, it would not be honest on our part to- say anything better of her novels. They .are full of sentimentality; they follow well-beaten tracks; they mix up interesting scenery with a mere or less passably told story. But they have neither distinction of style nor genius nor poetry nor romance to recommend them. We tried several of them because we were told to read them; but we have made a mental note to' avoid any new book which bears her name on the cover. But at the same time, we would advise people who like that sort of sentimentality and that sort of story to give her the preference over -Catholic authors of the same standard. As we said before, her books are clean : the ethers are not always that. She is not to be compared with such Catholic novelists as Leslie Moore, Monsignor Benson, Joseph Conrad, Rene Bazin (who is translated from the French nowadays), Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, and our latest important convert. G. K. Chesterton. And to these you may also add, if we may go back a little time, Rcsa Mulhclland and Canon Sheehan and Canon Barry.

Lapses An unkind critic has been running down French writers to prove that thev can be just "as slipshod as even the best English authors. Among his finds are the following: Gustavo Drnz: "I felt a tear mounting to my throat." Edmond About: "Victorine continued to read while closing her eyes." Charles Merowvel; "This woman had a svelte and supple waist that a man's hand could have clasped in his ten fingers.". Alphonse Danclet: "Four thousand Arabs were running barefoot, gesticulating, laughing wildly, and.causing to shine, in the sun six hundred thousand white teeth." tea d<> Gonconrt: "On the box, the coachman's back was astonished to hear such . loud weeping." Henri de Murger: "In the depths cf her breast, floating in an ocean of tears, her heart, assasfinated by suffering, struggled while crying for help."

A Doyle Story Do not be afraid we are going to introduce the Doyle man's spooks. When we want spooks we will ring up the fine old gentlemanly Irish specimens for which every decent Celt has a warm corner in his heart. Far be it from us to have anything to do with the ectoplastic-makiug, astro-spherical, light-hating spirits cf Sir Conan, which are as different from a " decent Beansidhe (Banshee) as American Prohibition whisky is from a "dhrop o' ten-year-ould Jameson." No, this story is of a cabman who evidently admired the spooky Sir Conan in his common-sense days, when he was able to sit down and take his pen and tell a good story for, boys and be paid for it in good money too. Here it is, anyhow: . On his arrival in Boston Doyle told us that he had noticed a dog-eared but familiar volume peeping out of his cabman's pocket. ' "You may drive me to Young's or the Parker House," he said. "Pardon me," returned cabbie, "you will find Major Pond waiting for you at the Parker House." As they parted, the cabman asked for a pass to the lecture instead of a fee, and Doyle said: "Now, see here, lam not usually beaten at my own game. How did you know who I am ?" "Well", sir, of course all members of the Cabmen's Literary Guild knew you were coming on this train, and I noticed, sir, if you will excuse me, that your hair has the cut of a Quakerish, Philadelphia barber; your hat shows on the brim in front where you tightly grasped it at a Chicago literary luncheon your right overshoe has on it what is plainly a big block of Buffalo mud ; and there are crumbs of a doughnut, which must have been bought at the Springfield station, on the top of your bag. And then, sir,' to make assurance doubly sure, I happened to see stencilled in plain lettering on the end of the bag the name Conan Doyle."

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

The choir and congregation of St. Joseph's Cathedral wore delighted on Sunday last to hear Mrs. Lynch, of Tiniaru, a former valued member of the choir, whose voice stiff retains the sweetness and vigor so well-remembered here. Mrs. Lynch participated in the rendering of the music at the 11 o’clock Mass, and at the evening devotions sang with exquisite artistry Gounod’s “Ave Maria.” Three exquisitely worked altar cloths have been presented to St. Joseph’s Cathedral by Mrs. J. McGuire. One of rose design (because of its exceptional beauty) intended for the altar during the month, of May. men valuable gifts must undoubtedly be most acceptable offerinfeSThere was Solemn High Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday last, Feast of Pentecost. Rev. Father Mo.kane was celebrant; Rev. Father Marlow, deacon Rev. .T. Lenihan, subdeacon; and Rev. Father Foley, Adm., master of ceremonies. A sermon on the subject of the day’s f< ast was preached by Father Foley. In the evening, after vespers, there was Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. . .

The local,Christian Brothers’ community received cable, news from Brother Bowler, that he and the boys arrived safe and well in, Sydney, after a rough voyage across the Tasman. ' . Rev. Brother Goggins arrived in Dunedin by the Moeraki from the Melbourne on Tuesday to join the teaching staff of the local Christian Brothers’ School." At a recent meeting of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Sodality of the Children of Mary, a beautiful picture of the Sacred Heart was presented to Miss A. Holden, who was about to enter the married state. Rev. Father Fenton, in making the presentation, assured the recipient of the prayers and good-wishes of the whole sodality for her future happiness. A Retreat for the Cathedral Sodality of the Children of Mary will commence on Monday, May 28. All members, and any young ladies desirious of joining the sodality, are cordially invited to the Retreat, which will be conducted bv Rev. Father Mitchell, C.SS.R.

On Sunday (Feast of Pentecost) a pleasing spectacle n% witnessed in St. Patrick's parish, South Dunedin, when the annual processional ceremony in connection with the May devotions in honor of Our Blessed Lady, was held. The altar boys of the Basilica headed the procession, and were followed by th/S Children of Mary in their blue cloaks and veils, the members of the Children's Eucharistic League in their cardinal mantles, and the Children of the Holy Angels' Sodality. The statue of the Blessed Virgin under a tastefully arranged canopy of white flowers was borne

by four of the socialists —Misses A. McAuley, M. Gibb, It. Kelliher, and L. Chronican. Beautiful weather favored the occasion, and at three o’clock, the procession, under the direction of Rev. Father Uelany, Adm.- of South Dunedin, left the sodality room and wended its way through the convent and orphanage grounds. During the course of its progress the Rosary and the Litany of "the Blessed Virgin were given out by the Rev. Director and responded to by the procossionalists. On leaving the orphanage grounds the procession returned to the Basilica where the function wds brought to a close by Benediction of the Most Holy' Sacrament. At evening devotions a ceremony of consecration took place, when ten members of the sodality had the happiness of being raised to the rank of Children of Mary. .Twenty others received the blue badge of aspirant and about twenty-six young girls were the recipients of the white ribbon of membership. Rev. Father Campbell, C.SS.R., assisted by Rev. Father Delany (spiritual, director of the sodality) officiated, and also preached the occasional sermon to a large congregation.

NORTH-EAST VALLEY BAZAAR.

A social in connection with the city stall of the above bazaar is to be held on next Tuesday evening, the 29th inst., in the George Street School Hall. Encouraged by the success attending the recent card tournament held at Mrs. Thompson’s tea rooms (opposite the Botanical Gardens), another similar function will be held there this (Thursday) evening. Mesdames Thompson and Smith (of the refreshment stall) will again be in charge of the arrangements, and will cordially welcome all wellwishers of the bazaar.