BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 146, 9 March 1918, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

First and La3t Things. A new and revised and handsomelyproduced edition of Mr. H. G. Wells's book, "First and Last Things, a Confession of Faith and Rule of Life," first published in 1908, has recently been issued by the author through Messrs. Cassell and Co. (Wellington, S.' and W. Maekay). When originally published the hook attracted widespread attention by the originality and courage —some might say audacity—of the views set forth by the author. In its new form the book should appeal to an even wider audience than it did ten years ago, for, as Mr. Wells says, "the world was not so dramatic, so tragic and urgent then as it is now," and the importance of the principal subjects dealt with is to-day far .uore insistent than was the case in 1908. Readers who possess the original work will turn with special interest to the additional section in Book II the new matter expanding and developing "that idea of a double interpretation of God" which, so Mr. Wells says, "has made the chief change in my system of thinking in the last decade." In the course of his preface to the new edition Mr. W ; ells crosses swords with certain critics of v "God the Invisible King." -I have space to spare for only one brief quotation from the preface: To-day wo seem nearer both hell and heaven than then (in 1908). Things are more personal and more personified, and while in 190'S I wrote about "that collective mind," which must "ultimately direct the evolution of our specific being," I write now boldly to-day in "God the Invisible King" of OJod, the ruling mind of the race, and tho Kingdom of God unifying mankind. The shape of the idea remains the same, but the clay has become alive. We have all lived greatly in these last yfars; wo are no longer suspicious of strong phrases for mighty things. Wo Tealise the immense fund of loyalty in men, Wc realize that where the Great King is not steadfastly conceived and recognised as master, tho menu little'kings creep in. As in 1908, so in 1918, whatever else may_ be thought of Mr. H. G. Wells's writings, however much they may delight some readers or offend others, this much may. bo said as truly of them to-day as was said ten years ago, namely, that they are never either tepid or timid, and, above everything, that dullness is totally foreign to them. (New Zealand price, 3s. 6d.) Home Truths About the War. The Rev. Hugh B. Chapman, Chaplain of the Savoy, tells us in the preface to his "Home Truths About the War" (George Allen and Unwin, Ltd.) that his book is "practically a reproduction of letters received by the author." The letters purport to be written by men in all classes of society, and to be representative of the views held about the war—and more particularly tho part, played' in it by Englishmen—by the public. We have, for instance, a typical man of the world—tho world,, of society and fashion —who writes from the Exclusive Club, Pall Mall: a farmer (who dates' his letter from lbs Hill Farm, Middlebridge); the Welsh artisan, who. hails from. Cardiff; and tho smug and selfish young subaltern, etc., whose address :is "Pecksniff Lodge, the Suburbs." There., are letters, genuine, or merely ingenious pastiches from nurses, munition workers, men on the. mine-sweepers, letters from Tom- i mies and officers "somewhere at the front," from country vicars and •fashionable actors—from, indeed, all sorts and' conditions of men. Most of these letters deal with the mistakes and follies of officialism or of private individuals in a vein of clever and sometimes rather pungent satire. Mn Chapman has written _ a very lively and thought-provoking book, which, .-by tho way,, contains many reflections and warnings just as applicable and. usefully suggestive here in New Zealand as-'they are in the Old Country. The moral of .the whole book is that a combination of tme patriotism and genuine piety is the one great necessity of the. present day. (New Zealand price 3s. Gd.) "The Little That Is Good." In his latest book, "The Little That Is Good" (Hodder and. Stougiiton), . Mi\. Harold JBegbie, whose "Broken Earthenware" will be specially remembered, gives us a series of stories of London and glimpses of English civilisation.' . Mr. Begbie devotes special attention to tho Ragged School movement and its virtual founder and for upwards of half a century its most self-sacrificing director," ' Mr.'," now Sir, John Kirk, whose work in its earlier stages won the unstinted admiration of Charles Dickens, who generously lent the aid of his eloquent pen to the good work of rescuing the waifs and strays of the Modern Babylon. Mr. Begbie writes in glowing terms of the splendid work done by the late Lord Shaftsbury in connection with, various philanthropic and religious movements, and gives a series of short character sketches of many noble men and woraou who have led lives of self-sacrifice in order that the children of the poor might have a happier future before them. _ He wisely utilises the personal experiences and narratives of persons* actually engaged in or benefited by (rescue .work, bnfl stirring indeed' iare some of the pictures hero disclosed of the self-devotion, the untiring industry, and tho spiritual _ enthusiasm of so many who have given up leisure, pleasure, and treasure to keep on tho good work of brightening the lives of the Loudon poor and especially the children of tho poor. As a .collection of human documents of tho deepest interest as well as a record of well ordered philanthropio and religious organisation, Mr. Beg-1 bie's book is one of great value. (■Reviews of severnl novels ore held over.)