LIBER'S NOTEBOOK.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2187, 27 June 1914, Page 11

LIBER'S NOTEBOOK.

""■ The list of titles in that excellent series, "The Nation's ..Library" (Collins Bros, and' Co.) continues, to expand. Two recent additions are "The State and tho Poor," by Geoffrey Drage, M.A., and "The Star World, ,, by A. C. de la Croinrnelin. IPrinianly of interest to Jiiiglish readers, Mr. Drago's book, the work of a gentleman who for somo j-eare has specialised in the study of social problems, sets forth many interesting and valuable' facts and figures. which could be profitably studied by New Zealandors and Australians. For although local conditions oil wages and environment are- far different in these countries to thoso prevailing in the Motherland, 'no careful and earnest student of the problem of poverty and its treatment by tho State can reasonably doubt that in 'course- of time, perhaps much sooner than some of us may imagine, New Zoalarid may have to cope with the same evils, in a less aggravated but still serious form, which seriously engage the attention of British sociologists and reformers. In successivo. chapters Mr. Drage deals with vagrancy; the mentally defective; the aged poor; tho adult poor (and that , chiof cause of pauperism, casual employment) ; irith the economic position of women, workers; with tho relation of tho State to the children of thepoor; his final chapter discussing questions of administration. A thoughtful and useful little book. In Mr. do Crommelm s book, "Tho Star World," the author provides an excellent introduction to the study of astronomy, in which full advantage is taken of tho most recent discoveries of the leading astronomical authorities. The language employed is as free as is possible from soientific technicalities. To both Mr. Drage's and Mr. de Crommelin's books is appended a useful bibliography. (Price per volumo, fitteen•pence.) Several of Jack London's earlier books, some not hitherto published in England, are now being issued in a handy shilling edition (New Zealand price, Is. 3d.), by Messrs. Mills and Boon, who send me, per Whitcombe and Tombs, a copy of the American novelist's stories of "hobo" or tramp life, entitled "The Road." It is autobiographical, and gives an intimate view of the curious Bohemianism, not always without its good points, of the American tramp class s Other Jack London books in the same series are "South Sea Tales," "When God-Laughs." "A Son of the Sun," "Smoke Bellow,' and 'The House of Pride." The special feature in the May number of "The Bookman" is a long and clever article (by Holbrooke Jackson), on the Jewish novelist, Isiael Zangwil, and his work. Of late years Zangwill has been greatly interested m the Zionist movement, and as a writer is apparently more anxious to shine as a playwright than as a novelist. His Melting Pot" has recently been performed with success, both in London and New York. Zangwill describes America as "God's Crucible, the Great Melting Pot, where all the races of Europe artmelting arc reforming." Personally I do not care very much for hie morc recent stories. But what a fine j book was "The Children of the Ghetto," and as a story of an artist's life,. "The Master." Another good articlo in xne May "Bookman" deals with the work ( pf Ethel Sidgwick, .whose fine novel, A Lady of Leisure, ,1 was royiowcd m these columns a few weeks ago. .Miss Sidßwick's earlier novels, "Promise huccession," "Lo Gwilloraan," and "Herself" are worth looking up. A third article of note in tho samo number gives some interesting persona particulars about- tho lnte Dr boyd (A K II.B.), tho author ot those delightful books "Tho Recreations of a Country Parson." , A selection irom "■V H K D 's" work, edited by his son, has just been published by Nelsons (2s. Gd.) Boyd made many friends by his writings. Such w>n as I'roude, Charles Kim'sley. Archbishop Wlwtcly, Oliver WciKlfiff 'Hntaics, and Principal Tulloch were \nnu<l in be numbered amoDgsl his correspondents .