NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.
All who hare read Mr Alfred Austin's poems know that the Poet Laureate is above all things a lover of England, a lover of old times, and a lover oi old opinior*. These characteristics come out very strongly in his latest prose work, a delightful volume entitled 'Haunts of Ancient Peace." Ostensibly it ie the record of a driving tour in which the author has as his companions Lamia and Veronica —two charming ladies, whom we have met with in his works before—and
"the Poet." .Mr Aw>tin purposely avoids topographical details, but we shall not bo far wrong if we suggest that a good part of this delightful journey lay through Sussex. They start off with the resolve to stay nowhere except at old inns, or with old people, and give utterance to none but the very oldest and most out-of fashion ideas. They visit old buildings and out-of the world rectories, and chat with good old-fashioned clergymen by the way. The result is that we get a «t«lii/htful peep at English rural scenery m its most picturesque and peaceful aspect, and are entertained with many conversations particularly soothing and agreeable to those who detest motor cars and believe in the good old times. Ever and anon the Poet gives us a sample of his verse. We may quote a stanza./rom. " The Tl£ngs that Remain," to give Sur readers a taste of his quality: —
"Obelisk, column and dome, Arches of War and of Peace,— Where are the Soldiers of Koine, Where are the Sages of Greece? Fading and falling of leaf, Seed time and mellowing sheaf, Home and the heart's own grief, These are what never will cease. Some very artistic woodcuts by Mr Edmund H. New add to the beauty and interest, of the volume. (London: Macmillan and Co., Limited. Christchurch: Whitcomba and Tombs. 65.)
The new volume of the English ''Men of Letters " series is devoted to Samuel Richardson, who richly deserves a place m thib literary Academy, and finds an appreciative critic and able biographer in Mr Austin Dobson, who has made the eubject of English literature in the Eighteenth Century peculiarly his own. It is to be feared- that not many people read Richardson's novels nowadays, being deterred partly by their length and partly by Richardson's fondness for the epistolary form. The vogue which he attained in England during his lifetime, however, was something extraordinary. Scott said of him that lie dived so deeply into the human heart as to leave "neither head, bay nor inlet behind him until he had traced its soundings and laid it down on his chart with all its minute sinuosities, its depths and shallows." His novels were preferred even in France during his lifetime to the per- . formances of Lβ Sagie and Prevost. The German writer, Gellert, declared that Richardson's works were imperishable—they were " nature, taste and religion." Immortal as was Homer among Christians, he added; Richardson was more immortal still. Our readers will be interested to learn in what order Mr Austin Dobson places the great novelist's works. That " Clarissa" is his masterpiece, he holds there is no doubt. " Pamela "is " but an incondite production, which really ends in the second of its four volumes, while in 'Grandison,' though the manner is perfected and the method matured, the movement -of, the story for the most part advances no more than a rocking horse." (London: Macmillan and Co. Christchurch : Fountain Barber. 2s net.)
Wβ have on various occasions given a word of praise to the dainty series of works known as "The Turner House Classics." Tho latest volume ie devoted to tne " Humourous Plays of Richard Brinsley Sheridan," and when we consider its price it ie certainly the most attractive form in which the vivacious productions of the great wit have yet been presented. It is a speoial charm about Sheridan's plays that they are a» delightful to scad as they are to see enacted, and we have no doubt that many of our readers will take this opportunity of renewing their acquaintance with "The Rivals," "The School for Scandal," and "The Critic," while in some cases they may possibly seek an introduction for the first time to his less wellknown plays, "St. Patrick's Day," "The Duenna," arid "A Trip to Scarborough.' (London; H. Virtue and Co., Ltd, 13 Henrietta street, W.C. 2s net.)
One of the many notable features by which the South African war will be remembered is the number of vivid and picturesque writers whom it brought into prominence. .Among these the author of "On the Heck of De Wet," who contributed hie sketches to "Blackwood's Magazine" under the " norn de guerre of " The Intelligence Officer," holds » high place. He is trenchant in his criticism of the weaknesses both of officers and the military system, displaying a courage in this respect which borders on the heroic when we bear in mind how thin is the disguise which he assumes. His writing is throughout of I'aScinating interest, owing to the vividness with which he brings scenes and incidents before his readers. £>ome the revelations made are a little (striking. Take tor example the story told by a brigadier as to what happened in the early days of the Boer war to a, Boer spy—an *x-Pretoria detective—discovered in the British ranke. A Yankee corporal who himself an excellent soldier tendered come advice. "You prove him a spy, colonel, and then turn him over to ue; you won't nave any more spies after that." The rest of the story had better be told in the Brigadier's own words: —"I had the suspect up. There was not a shadow of doubt about his identity, co I just eaid to the sergeant-major, 'This man ie your property—the fair name of the corps is in your keeping; a convenient donga over there!' I never saw the man again,, nor did I ask what happened to him; but this I do know, that -on the self-same evening five men came to me and asked to be allowed to resign. They came with faces as white as the coat of that mare over there. 'Yes,' I said, as I looked at them, 'you may go. You leave for the good of all concerned, yourselves included.' And since that day I was never troubled by the enlisting of Dutch agents." (Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons. Ghrwtchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs. 2s 6d.)
The author of that powerful novel "Red Pottage ,, —i Mary Cholmondeley—has just published a collection of three stories— "Moth and Rust," '"Geoffrey's Wife," and '•The l-iuall." These give" the idea that the H writer has sesn more of life and made a closer study of human nature than when sho wrote her first book. This is particularly the case'with '"The Pitfall," whic-h is
;: modern society story. "Moth and Rust," r!;e longest of the three, is in some respects r.ithtr a pathetic narrative, which shows 1 112 consequences of not heedingjbe warning"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal/ In "Geoffrey's Wife' , the author fibows great originality in the horrifying and gruesome ending to a very pretty sketch of a honeymoon spent by a couple in Paris during the Exhibition. (London.- John Murray's Imperial Library. Chrietchurch .- Fountain Barber. 3s 6d"and 2s 6d.)
If a journalist or anyone who desires to keep himself posted up with accurate information on .current affairs were restricted to on- book of reference there is not the Jeaou doubt; be would choose " Whitaker's Almanac." Each year shows an increase in its size and utility. That for 1903—the 35th annual volume—contains 792 pages—an increase of 425 pages since ita foundation. It include* the promotions and appointments gazetted during the year on account of war service, and in connection with the Coronation, in addition to those contained in the Birthday List of 10th November. Among new features may be mentioned articles on the Education Bill (including amendments ao-
cepted by the House at the time of going to press,' "An Aspect of the Temperance Problem," "The Great Siberian Railway," etc. In addition to being invaluable for reference, it contains a good deal of really interesting reading. (London:„, Joseph Wbitaker, 12 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row. 2s 6d net.)
Another interesting and valuable work of reference issued by the same publisher b Whitaker's Peerage for 1903. It not only contains a list of all titled persons (including baronets and knights), together with brief biographical and historical details, but gives a mass of interesting information regarding the Royal family. the Peerage, and its degrees, etc. In the account of the Soveieign a full description of the Coronation w inserted. The little niceties of address so piyzluii' to foreigners, and even many Englishmen, are lucidly explained. The editor has gone to a good deal of trouble to settle the question as to whether all Bishops should be styled '"Lord Bishop." The conclusion arrived at is that "in the probably universal usage of High Churchmen, and the very extensive usage of others also, all Bishops of the Anglican Church still in office have come to be styled
' Lord Bishops.'" He includes the missionary Bishops in spit* of the fact that one of this order has expressly answered his enquiry with "No, this style is happily not customary." An interesting fact brought out is that year by year a number ml persons are claiming the style of baronet without any real right to the title. (London: Joseph Whitaker and Sons, Ltd., 12 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row. 3s 6d.)
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Press, Volume LX, Issue 11496, 31 January 1903, Page 8
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1,597NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS. Press, Volume LX, Issue 11496, 31 January 1903, Page 8
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