SOME RECENT FICTION.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2372, 30 January 1915, Page 5

SOME RECENT FICTION.

In "The Whalers" (Hodder and Stoughton, per Whitconibe and Tombs), Mr. J. J. Bell strikes out into what is quite a new line for the author of "The Wee MacGrcgor," of pleasant memory. In theso sketches of life on board a Norwegian whaler, of the present day, operating in "the Arctio Ocean, a hundred miles north of the north-we6t promontory of Iceland, and close to the rim of the Greenland ice," he "displays a mastery of the technology of modern whaling and sea life generally, and a fine appreciation of the austere but fascinating beatuies .of the Arctic. The whalers of the Norwegian companies stationed on the northern coast of Iceland aTe now compelled, he explains, to cruise'further afield iu search of the big . . . .which, "with each . succeeding summer of tho past twenty years have been giving Icelandic waters a wider berth, either because their great bellies could no longer be satisfied in their former haunts, or because their comparatively small "brains were becoming less and less vaguely informed with a fear of man and his ivorks." Mr. Bell is specially happy in being able to invest his studies and sketches of whaling life with a human, often a quite dramatically human, interest. The vigour and charm of these sketches are undeniable. The' book well deserves a place besides Mr. Bullen's famous '.'Cruise of the Cachelot," indeed there will bo many readers who may prefer Mr. Bell's stories on account of thoir unstudied simplicity. There is a note of true pathos in "The Humpback," which, I question if Mr. Bullen has ever achieved.

Several excellent novels have recently been added lb : Alessrs. Alacmillan's liiiupiro Library vixuidou: Alacmillau and Co.). Sir. H. G- Wells's new story, "The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman" was reviewed at some length a week or two ago. Limitations of space impose brevity of reference to three other novels in the same series, "The Demi-Gods," by Mr. James Stephens; 'The JLtiso of Jennie Gushing," by Mary Watts; and "The Ways of Miss Barbara," by Agues and Egerton Castle. Jlr. Stephens's new story is even better than "The Crock of Gold," displaying the same vivid imagination, command oi quiet humour, powers of clever characterisation, and, in places, true poetic feeling, - which combined to render bis earlier work so popular. There is a dash of George Borrow, plus—oh, curious combination — a touch of W. M. Yeats, in this story of an Irish tramp and his daughter, to whose camp there come ono night three angels in human form. Then commences a record of wanderings, in which tho most prosaic experiences are varied with tho strangest and most romantic happenings. Fairy talc, allegory, whatevor you may pleaso to call it this story of Patsey -M'Cann and Margaret, his daughter, and of their strange companions, the three angels, Finaun, Caeltia, and Art, archangel,, seraph, and cherub, respectively, angels who follow Pat-sev's advice "to take off them kind of clothes you're wearing, and get into duds like my own," and l who bcconie so-complete-ly humanised as to beg and even fight and steal, makes curious but uncommonly good reading. A curious but wholly delightful story, once you can accept t.liia latest fruit of Mr. Stephens'.- imagination as a possibility. And even_ be it admitted as frankly impossible, it is still vastly amusing.

An American novel, very much out of the ordinary, uikl wcl' worth reading, is Miss Mary S. Watts's story, ""»0 Rise of Jennie Cusliinz" (MacmiUau).

Tho heroine is an orphan or deserted child, whose first experiences or Mo aro in tho alums of a groat city, and liter on in a reformatory, wnonco sno omorgos to becomo servant, and companion in a small family in a country (own. Here she meets a wealthy .voung artist, wTioso art slie inspires to hitherto imattained success. Eventually sno becomes his mistress, goes witu him to Paris, and is about to become his wile, when tho sordidity of her early career is exposed by a malicious female rclativo of tho painter. Heroically sacrificing woalth and happiness rather than socially ruin tho man she loves, she returns to America and starts a home for deserted children on novel principles. Her inver finds her out, but sho has now discovered what she considers to be tier true vocation, and rejects love and tho proffered marriage.. Tho author has been singularly successful in showing now tho heroine's whole life is dominated by his early experiences. The child wait had porforce to be independent ol the world, and whatever tho world might thing or do, and to this attitude r.lio is loyal to the end. Tho minor characters in this btorv, especially a pathetically humorous old inventor and his garrulous, good-natured wife, arc exceptionally well drawn. In "The Ways of Miss Barbara" (Macmillan), those over-entertaining writers, Mr. and Mrs. Egerton Castle, resurrect certain of the characters in that popular story, "The Bath Comedy." We are again introduced to the lively young lady, Miss Barbara Verney and other old friends, My ' Lady Kilcroney. and her devoted Denis, Mr. Stafford, the Silver [ Beau, and Lord and Lady Verney also making a reappearance. As usual with Mr. and Mrs. Castle, the new story moves with almost bewildering rapidity, and tho heroine is engaged in adventure after adventure, ending up ; after a series of highly dramatic expenences, with beaux, and fortune-hunters and handsome highwaymen by marrying a real live dulce. For a timo Franco is the background, and we get a lively picture of Dessein's famous inn at Calais, which Sterne immortalised, and on which Thackeray wrote one'of the most delightful of his "Roundabout Papers." A lively, amusing eighteenth century story, which you should certainly put on the next list you send to bookseller or library. Harold. Bindloss can always be depended upon for a good straightforward story with a strong dramatic plot, and some well-drawn and interesting characters. In "The Secret of the Reef (Ward, Lock, and Co., per Whitcombo and Tombs), the interest, centres rouiia the salving of some sunken treasure by a young ship's officer, who is in love with the daughter of a wealthy Canadian. The venture is doveloped under some peculiar circumstances, and for a time ill-luck seoms to dog the heels of the hero. Pluck, however, plus a little luck, win the day, and the conclusion should be highly satisfactory to all who like to see faithful lovers duly rewarded itt the time-honoured way. Surely it is high time that the "magic bean" trick, that well-worn vafflnt of the "Garuda Stone" motif m Mr. Anstey's "Vice Versa," were given a much-needed rest, permanently buried, never to be resurrected in liction. let here again, in ."A Country House Comedy" (William Hememann; per George Robertson), Mr. Duncan Schwann, author of those amusni" stories. "Tho Book of a Bachelor and "Molyneux of Mayfair," brings it into play as the means by which philandering husbands are suddenly confronted by highly-suspicious wives, and ladies who have either erred or at least are

New boo •k s. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMEN 'J. • • ARRIVING SHORiLI: ■ ICING ALBERT'S BOOK, 3s. 6d., posta£e 6d. A tribute to the Belgian lung and people from representative men and womon throughout the world—l rinces, Statesmen, Diplomatists, Scholars, bcientUts, Moil ana Women of Letters, Artists, Composers, etc. Illustrated in colour and black and white. Entire procoeds from sale of tho book to go to the "Daily Telegraph" Belgian liiiid PRINCESS MARY'S Gill BOOK, «is., postage -5d.; with contributions from J. JI. Barrie, G. A. Birmingham, Hall Caine, Ralph Connor, Conan Doyle, J. 11. Fabre, E. Thornoycroft Fowler, C. Garvice. Lady Sybil Grant, H. Rider Has* eard, Beatrice Harraden, Rudyard Kipling, Bishop of London, A. E. . Mason, Alfred Noyes, Baroness urczy, John Oxenham. W Pett Ridge, Annie S. Swan, Kate Douglas Wiggin; 14 pictures in colour, 20 black and white, by the leading artists. All profits from sale of this book are given .to tlje Queens J\ork for Women" Fund, which is acting in conjunction with the National Relief l'und. Wo are now booiciug orders for these two magnificent gift books, and as the English demand for them is so great the publishers will only be able to supply a limited quantity of tho first edition. We suggest you place your order it once. m , , ~ WINTER'S PIE, 1914. The popularity of this book -grows with every issue. It is easily tho funniest picture annual for "grown-ups" published. First-class articles by the leading men and women of letters. Original paintings and drawings by the best known artists of the day. The book is worth the money atone lor the frontispiece colour picture by Lawson Wood—it's a gem. Send' us your order and we will post you a copy as soon as it gets here. Don't forget that all profits on this book go to the Printers. Benevolent Fund. Is. 3d.; postage sd. ' FRIENDS AND FOES IN THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH, by Edward S. Sorenson; 8s 6d., postage sd. Illustrated by Ernest E. Barker, R.A.O.U. The writer of this book is known as the Australian Soton Thomson—his animal and bird studies are charming. Tliis book will delight every lover of natural history. WAR PAPERS. We are now getting regular supplies of War Periodicals. These beautifully illustrated London papers enable one to follow tile war with greater interest. In them you have photographs taken on the spot, you see our men in .the trenches, going in to action, on tho march, drilling at tho various camps, you get pictures from the enemy's side giving you a vivid idea of the men wo are up against. Used to srupplement your newspaper reading, you will find it more interesting to follow the war news. We havo supplies of the following:— "London Illustrated War News," 9d., postage Id. "Illustrated War News," 9d., postage lu. "Graphic," 9d., postage Id. "Sphere," 9d., postage Id. "The Great War," 9d., postage Id, "The War Illustrated," 3d., postage Id. "The W : ar Budget,'' 4d., postage Id. "T.P.'s Journal of Great Deeds, 6d., postage Id. "Navy and Army," 9d., postage Id. Send us your name and address, and let us forward ono of these illustrated® each week. . _. THE YEARTLLUSTRATED, 191-1. .The notable events of tho past year written tip and illustrated by photographs and drawings; 3s„ postage Gd. WHITCOMBE AND TOMBS, Lambton Qu%j_

slcaUnp; on dangerously thin ico, find ox[ilanntions demanded' by equally suspicions luibbies. Air. Sciiw.inn is amusinp cuourli in his pictures of so-ealind ainnrt socioty, but ho is 100 frequently unpleasantly suggestive, and the young barrister in whose mouth tho'story is placed is at times perilously close t'O becoming a common bounder. Tho general iono of dclibornlo frivolity and glorification of a trivial and idlo life i;i out of touch with the times. Tliia is the sort of story which nvijxl)t< very well go out with the war. Tt lias been done to death. The liction of the future will <leal with sterner themfs.

A new book of poems by Thomas Hardy is an event of some importance in tho, literary world. Tho title is "Satires of Circumstance." Tho volume includes all Mr. Hardy's published verse since "Timo'a Laughing Stocks." Much of Hardy's verse has a fine dramatic power, but I, for one, would vastly prefer another "AVesscx" novel to a wholo library of verso from this authoT. Tho last poem in tho new collection is the fine patriotic effort, "Tho Song of tho Soldier," published in tho "Times" last Octeber.