NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13336, 30 January 1909, Page 7

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

In any novel by Mr Robert Hichens we now expect, as of right, vivid description of people and scenery, and strong dramatic interest. These are all found in his latest novel, "A Spirit in Prison," although, opinions may differ as to whether it is quite on the level with "The Call of the Blood." The scene i-s chiefly laid in and around Naples- So faithfully does the author

reproduce the. atmosphere of the crowded city, with its gay arid careless population, its full pukve oi" human passion aud vitality, and its bcoutiful surroundings, that for the time being wo seem to bo living in tho very place. Th© pictnre in tho opening chapter of the boy diving for "frutti di mare" in the Bay is delightfully realistic. We are early introduced to a widow with an only daughter. Tlie former was passionately attached to her husband, and thinks all the world of him. She- is under the conviction that, ho was drowned, whereas, as a matter of fact, ho was murdered- by the father of an Italian girl, whom hohadbetravcd. Tito boy seen diving in tho Bay was his son by tho illicit union. How the truth slowly dawns on Hermiono Deiarey, the widow, the likeness of the boy to her dead husband supplying tho first clue, is very cleverly worked out. Hutckinscn and Co.. Paternoster row. Christchurch: Whitcombo and Tombs, Ltd- 2s 6d)

The history of tho United States has "lately preyed very utiraciivo to writex*. ot the more serious tyno of novels, but. it is a rather curious coincidence to find two historical tales dealing with tho time of Washington, and especially the struggle between the llopublica »:' alul li 'o Federalists, making their appearance on tho market almost simu!tii::.oitsiy. We refer to ■ Lewis Ilar.tl." b\ _Vi<wv Johnston, and "Ti'o Red City. ' by .S. Weir Mitclu-11, M.1)., LL.D. 'Iho former gives an interesting account ol the .wlitical and, inciconta.Ty, ot 'the love ""affair of a young Republican lawyer, of humble birth, rather dour of disposition but determined withal, who became, betrothed to a charming young lady. Jacqueline Churchill, belonging to'tho Federalist aristocracy. iio has a serious rival in politics as in lore in Ludwell Cary, a Federalist, but succeeds in marrying Jacqueline in spite of tvs rival and in spite, of tlie opposition of her family. Iho marriage brings her little happiness, and the roniunce rapidly changes into tragedy. The story is well told, and we get an excellent picturo of Washington. Hamilton. Joiferson, and other ~ historical characters, and their time, and tho scenes amid which they moved. (London: Archbold, Constable and Co., Ltd 1 . Christchurch: Whitcomb© and Tombs, Ltd. 3s Gd.)

Tho other historical novel to which reference has been made, "Tho Red City," deals more particularly with the French emigres, who Mere familiar figures in American social life about the time of Washington's second Ad>ministration. The young Vicomte do Courvol and- his mother came to Delaware Boy in 1702, driven out of France, the father having been murdered in tho Revolution. At that time Jefferson, who hael been Ambassador in Franco, was leader of the Republican party, then in the height of the struggle against the Federalists, under Hamilton. Another exilo who plays a prominent part in the story is a German Count, who goes under the n:yno of Schmidt, and between v 'whom and De Courval there springs up the most tender and elevoted friendship. Washington is depicted' by Dr. Weir Mitchell a.s a man tired' anel weighed down with the cares of State. Thero is a graphic description of the plague which devastated the city of Perm in fhe" summer of 1793. (London : MacmilTan and Co., Ltd. 2s Gdand 3s Gd.)

"Electrical Terms and Phrases in Pitman's Shorthand - ' gives the shorthand outlines for a number of phrases anel terms met with in the electrical and general engineering professions, written in the briefest reporting style; also a series of engineering letters in letterpress, counted for dictating purposes. (London: E. J. Rutland, 17 Edgley road, Clapliam, S.W.)

We have received a copy of the first number of the "Citizen," a fortnightly paper published in Wellington.. It owes its existence to a belief that there is "room .in New Zealand for an independent journal, taking a moro detached view of affairs than is possible in the daily papers." This v avowal is followed by some remarks on the Ministry that make the "Citizen's" political attitude pretty clear. A frequenter of tho House contributes some personal characteristics of the" now Ministers, there is an article on life in New Zealand in the fifties, one or two other original articles, and reprint matter on various subjects.