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LITERARY GOSSIP

I hear, writes a London correspondent, that Mr George Buckle, the conclusion of whose life of Disraeli is, in the opinion of good judges, the finest* piece of solid biographical work accomplished in the England of our time, has accumulated a great mass of material for his forthcoming life of Queen Victoria. The whole of her vast correspondence has been put at his disposal by King George, and it is to bo hoped that the first volume of what should be by far the most valuable contribution to both the personal and the political history of nineteenth century Europe yet written, will be published before the figure of "the Queen," as so man»- people still call King George's grandmother, has receded into a nebu* lous past.

Two months ago, a correspondent writes to the "Bookman," I spoke of the discovery of a "lost" work by Charles Lamb. At that time I had not seen tho book, and I was unawaro that E. V. Lucas questioned its authenticity. 1 learn now that Mr Lueas is still unconvinced that this book is by Lamb. From every other source, moreover, although I have had no opportunity of examining the book for myself, I hoar that there is no trace whatever of Lamb's hand in the production. I think some reference to these facts is due, because, as far as I can tell, Mr Shorter, the literary sponsor of the book, stands somewhat alone in attributing it to Lamb. It is still bcliovcd by several exports, including T. J. Wise, that Lamb wrote such a book, but the now book of "Banks and Dignities" will not oust "The King and Queen of Hearts" as prima authentic find among missing Lamb treasures.

Whon I first heard of T. W. H. Crosland, a well-known critic said, the other day, he' was making "Tho Outlook" the most startlingly candid critical review in London. This must be something like twenty-two or three yearß ago. Crosland used to be the literary editor of "The Outlook," and he used to write a "First Glance at New Books" similar in scope to that which appears each week in "The Times Literary Supplement." Crosland's glance, however, was quite different from the glanoe of any other literary journalist 'of whom I over heard. It was a glanco that took the skin, off a book. It blistered more books than it blessed. It was penetrating, and it was savage. "The Outlook" at that time had the habit of circulating this first glance to ,the booksellers, in a single sheet, Booksellers exhibited the sheet issued by "Tho Outlook," and it was a good advertisement for hooks, the books destroyed and the books maimed and the books extolled were made by Crosland's process part of a live literature. If Crosland criticised, it was proof that there was something to criticise, He also showed that there was a mind engaged upon current literature which was alert, well-informed, and merciless.

Mr Shaw once declared that the-rea-son the Elizabethans wrote in blank verse was that blank verse was easier to write than prose. Ido not think this (writes Simon Fore in the Hew York "Bookman"}, I think they wrote blank verse because it is easier to memorise than prose. In days when performances had to be given without much rehearsal it was desirable" that the actors should have evety aid. Miss Terry, the other day, in ' replying to i congratulations on thte. award ,of ."J?ainV' gave colour to; this "suggestion by saying that Shakespeare "is the easiest poet to remember." She added that she could still,* in spite' of failing memory, 'repeat the whole of one" of Shakespeare's plays. ■ She < went on to say some further most interesting things; "Shaw, too, I always found easy, bat Barrie was ever a teaser. I remember, I learned my part in 'Captain Brassbpund's Conversion' in a few days; but how I had to struggle over 'Alice be very interesting to know what it is that makes one: author easy to memorise and another author difficult.

A correspondent writes to flay that the first of the three Limericks which appeared in this column last week is- included among' those sting by a wellknown gramophone- artist. The record to which it belongs is, he says, the longest four-minute vocal reproduction he has ever heard, and he suggests that the LimerieK - itself is a forgotten favourite now again re-established in popular estimation.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19250424.2.82

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 17

Word count
Tapeke kupu
739

LITERARY GOSSIP Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 17

LITERARY GOSSIP Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 17

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