OBOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 199, 11 May 1918, Page 11

OBOKS OF THE DAY

A New Book on Walt Whitman. Despite its occasional incoherency despite, too, ft far worse fault, an occasional excess of frankness which runs perilously ukin to being what many would regard as positive indecency, the poetry or Walt Whitman still makes strong appeal to a large number of remlore. Only Wi e other day I noticed in a Wellington hook shop quite a respectable pilo of volumes lettered "Leaves of Gra69." Controversy has raged high on tho subject of Whitman's poetry. "It is not poetry at all," say tho sticklers for form and grace, whilst others there be who hold Whitman to be ihe inspired poet of Democracy, and regard him as 6Ecr and prophet, just as Cnrlyle enthusiasts—an ever-decreasing band in these (lays, I fancy—were wont to regard tho grim old sago of Craigenputtoch and Chelsea. But even those who abhor Whitman's style, or lack of style, are more or less interested in his personality. Of lato years that personality has come to bo better understood, although 1 j notice- with amusement that my Social-1 ist friends are still inclined to claim him as being sealed of their hand, whereas, as a matter of fact, no more determined individualist ever lived. A book has just been published whieih throws much new and interesting light on the personal Whitman. This is "Visits to Walt Whitman in. 1890-1891," by his Lancashire friends, J. Johnston, M.D., and J. W. Wallace (London; George Allen and TJnwin, Ltd.). The authors wero members of an informal group or society of young men of varied occupations, which met onco a week in the busy Lancashire town of Bolton io discuss- current topics and literature. Sonio of the membra 9 were ardent admirers of Whitman, and writing to the poet to seek an elucidation of some particular passage, a correspondence sprang up which was continued for some years, eventually resulting in a sort of literary pilgrimage, which is now described. The authors give a most interesting account of their visit to Camden, of the many interviews they had wihh, Whitman, and of his criticisms on literature and life. Additional interest is added to the book by tho description ' given of some of those who, like Mr. I Horace Traubel, the well-known A i^cvi-

can Socialist, ranked amongst 'Whitman's! closest friends in his old age. Tho impression of Whitman's character, his warm-heartedness, his wrcno dignity., quite, untainted by anything like conceit or egotism, his broadly tolerant, outlook on life, his gratitude for friendship and kindness, (ho wholesome sweetness of b.\s personal life generally, which was led upon tho minds o7 his oversea visitors, is set forth in a moat interesting and convincing way. Hero and there the authors betray a tendency to hero-wor-ship, but on tho whole their enthusiasm is not only very sincere, but not a little infectious. In a chapter headed "General Impressions of Whitman," Mr. "Wallace gives nn interesting psychological portrait of tho poet: Tho vory great superiority of Whitman's personality to any other that I have known—in Kb amplitude and grandeur, its rich and warm humanity, and in delbacy of proportion and feellng--whilo it seemed to set him apart in spiritual isolation, and to give him at tunes n,n nir of wistful sadness, emphasised and drovo home the lesson of pcrrcct cquaMt.* and simplicity of his bearing towards all. with whom T saw him, of whom I heard him (peak. It was as spontaneous and unaffected as the naive and innocent- auieptanco of a child, and one could not doubt that it expressed his real and constant fading. In him tho two complementary sides of ths outlined in "Leaves of Grass"—th? dlvlno pride of man In ii!mse!f and an outgoing sympathy which amounted to self-idi-ntili-eation with all others-wero'extraordinar-ily developed and In perfect balance. This twofold character was to be feen in all hiß intercourse with others lie had the refinement rind delicate courtesy of speech aud manner aa well as the lofty pose of n very great mble-of one who (to U6" the proud words of ttabort Burns) "derivod his patent of nobility direct from Almighty God."

Of special interest to all who are interested in Whitman, his poetry, and his personality is I lie large number of new Whitman letters here printed. Tho illustrations, wnieh arc -cry numerous, include portraits of Whitmin nt various ages, ana of some of his personal friends, such as John llurroughs, Horaco Traubel, and Jlr. Bueke, and views of scenes connected with Lis life and works, including some hitherto and specially interesting pictures of the poet's fiome ! at Camden, ond facsimiles of his handwriting. The volume rfiould find n, place in every library which possesses a copy of Whitman's works. (N.Z. price, 7s. Gd.) The House-Party Manual. A pathetic interest attaches to a little book, "The House-Party Mawial," ft copy of which I have received from Messrs.Cassell and Co. (per S. and W. Mnckay), for it is the posthumous work of that clever young journalist, formerly of New Zealand, but later on the staff of the London "Times," tho late Mr. Noel Ross. It is a vivaciously-written anil most amusing little skit which purports to bo a guide "to serve to pilot n. stranger through the mazy intricacies of an English house-party," and is dedicated ''in all good humour to the hostesses who have done so much to ease tho lot of tho convalescent soldier from overseas." Mr. lioss gets some excellent fun out of the conventions which govern country house parties in England, the amiable eccentricities of hosts anil servants. His humour is playfully eccentric, nnd recalls Mr. Stephen Xeacock at his best." The illustrations by George Mo'tow are excellent. (Price Is. Gd.) "Soldiers' Spoken French." I hnvo received a copy if the third edition of that excellont little guide to the French spoken language, "Soldiers' Spoken French" (Whitcoinbo and Tombs). Mrs. Helene Cross, Iho author, is' to be congratulated upon the marked | success which has attended her little venture. To (be latest edition many more words and phrases have been added, and certain corrections havo been made. Over 30,000 copies of tho Christchurch lady's book have now been sold. I have expressed the opinion before that a copy of "Soldiers' Spoken French" 6hoult[ find ii place in the kit of overy New Zealand soldier leaving for the front. Even half an hour a day spent on board a troopship in studying Mrs. Cross's well-arranged lessons would givo a soldier a, most valuable working acquaintance with the Fronch language. The author's system of phonetic pronunciation is excellent. (Price, 2s. Gd.)