LIBER'S NQTE BOOK.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1842, 30 August 1913, Page 9

LIBER'S NQTE BOOK.

Stray Leaves. v Last week, under the heading "Slightly Involved," I quoted a sentence or two Jrom a very extraordinary article on Balzac, which appeared recently in tlio "Times" Literary Supplement. A Christchurch correspondent, "Anti-James," writes as follows: —"Dear 'Liber,'—-So you, too, liave been wrestling with tho article on Balzac in the 'Times' Literary Supplement. I have, also wrestled with it, assisted by a friend who knows something of literary jiu-jitsu. It is quite intelligible when you spend a week on it. I solved every sentence, although .somo of them were 'devilish deep.' My opinion is that the article was written by Henry James; I wish you would give yours. James, as you know, is competent on tho 17th century_ Frenchmen. But he must have been 'Jimmier' than 'usual when ho did this. —I am, etc., Anti-James."j . - : [When i.Tead :: t'h'b : drticle'iii 'question. I at onco put it down to Henry James.] There is always a big public for royal biographies and chroniques scandaleuses of court life, and it must be admitted that nowadays tho supply-of this class of literature is fully equal to the demand. Thus I read that Eveleigh Nash will shortly publish a biography entitled "Christina and tho Court of Sweden." Tho samo author is engaged on a comploto lifo of the venerablo Emperor Irancis Joseph of Austria. . • * * Another book, dealing with one of the greatest of tho Royal houses of Europe', will bo called "Bchin'd tho Veil at tho Russian Court." , This work will cover the long period, from tlio death of Nicholas I, in 1856, to March of the present year. The publishers stato that it will throw muoh new light on Russian policy, especially in tho matter of tho Russo-Japanese War, as well as on the personality of tho present Tsar and Tsariria . •'* * * A definitive edition of Gerliardt Hauptmann's plays—a translation, of course, is to be jysued by a new publisher, Martin Seeker, in six vohimos. German plays find an ever-increasing audience in England anH America. * ' # * Two biographies of more than usual intorest are announced by Jlr. John Murray. Ono is "Cecil Rhodes, tho' Man and His Work," by Mr. Gordon Lo Sueur, ono of tho great man's private secretaries. The other is "The Lifo of Sir Frederick Weld," by Alice, Lady Lovat-. Weld, it may be remembered, was at one timo Premier of New Zealand. » * o Those who only know John Masefiold's later' work, "Tho Everlasting Morcy," "The Widow in By© Street," and "Dauber," should note tlio appearance in new editions (3s. Gd. each) of two of Masefield's earlier works: "Salt Water Ballads" a first edition of which! Sir lamest ShackSeton carried with him in his Antarctic wanderings, and "A Mainsail Haul" a collection of proso essays and yams in descrip-tion-of sea. life. .There is some splendid stuff in both'these little , books, especially in "Salt Water Ballads." \ That grand old man of . science and philosophy, Dr. Alfred Russell Wallace, evidently maintains his old literary industry. It was (only in March last that ho published his book on "Social Environment," and already Cassells aro announcing for publication in the autumn another Work from the same pen, "Tho Revolt of Democracy." Readers of French should note the appearance of a now historical novel "Tn Double Armour," by Ciaudc Ferval (Fasquette, publisher), which deals with the life of the unfortunate Louise do la Vallierc. Tho "Times" gives a twocoliimu review of the book, which it warmly commends. Lan Hay, author of "The Right Stuff," "Pip," and other novels, which have deservedly won popularity by their 'lively and wholesomo humour, has written a new story, "Happv-go-Lucky" (Blackwood's). It deals with English public school and 'Varsity life, and is said to be as entertaining as its predecessors from the samo pen. Longman's announce a new "Life of -William Pitt, Earl of Chatham," by Basil Williams, which it will bo interesting to compare with Holland Rose's studies of the two Pitts. * * » The August number of "The Windsor" (Ward, Lock and C'o.'s, per S. and W. Mackay), includes a second instalment of Gertrude Page's new serial, "Tho Pathway," a jjowerfully written story of the Rhodcsian life of to-day, also complete stories by Halliwcll Sutcliffe, C. G. D. Roberts, Edgar Wallace, John Barnett-, and other well known authors.

Mr. J. E. Raphael hag ail excellent cricket article, and a feature of interest to musical people is a portrait gallery of famous pianists. Tho illustrations aro numerous, and include a coloured plato aftor a painting by Millais.