BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 79, 28 December 1918, Page 3

BOOKS OF THE DAY

"Tho Father of a Soldier." In "The Father of a Soldier" (John Lane, per Whitcoinbe and Tombs), a wellknown Canadian writer on ethical and religious subjects, Mr. W. ,J. Dawson, father of the even "better known novelist, 'ilr. Coningsby Dawson, gives us a very remarkable and, in its own way, a very beautiful book, in which ho unfolds the working of n parental mind as it is affected by'the war, and nioro particularly, by the fears and. anxieties and troubles generally of. fathers and mothers who have soen their loved ones depart to the scene of war. Tho book deals with tho author's attitude towards tho great war in its various stages, and unveils the successive fears and hopes, fits of depression and moments of exaltation for which tho war was responsible. It is the bookjOf a deeply religions man, and its every chapter discloses profound thought and well weighed judgment. It displays a peculiarly shrewd and penetrating vision into human psychology. In the earlier chapters, "The First Vision of War" and "Tho Partings" (the author had three sons in khaki), the intense hatred of war as war, the horror which beset thoughtful, religious people that a, great armed conflict could be possible in i>, civilised Christian world, and the dreadful fear that loved ones might bo slain, nre all reflected. As the book proceeds, and wo reach the chanter entitled "The Second Vision of War, , ' the dominating thought becomes ono of enthusiastic admiration for tho splendid spirit by which the British race was animated. Writing of tho national attitude as it was in lOllir Mr. Dawson says:

England ■ was rebuilding her City. Much had been destroyed. Thi; old life of careless case had vanished, never to return.- Wrecked homes were everywhere. No claaa had eßcaped the devastating whirlwind. Tho landed gentry and the aristocracy had suffered equally with tho peasant and the artisan. ... In a real flense, .which, before the war, would havo been unthinkable, all class distinctions had disappeared. Tho nation -was one, and this unprophesied unity had been accomplished by a common snfferinir. . . . Losinp her life, she (England) had pained it. The divine spirit of sharing had given her a real unity which she ■. had neyor yet known. And so ■ sho was rebuilding her City, but upon a nobler plan. Individualism was dead; it was replaced by a eacrillcial collectivism. And one effect of that new collectivism was to extirpate tho egoism of personal sufferinE. She had no timo or patience for vain eelf-Dity. She eat amid the wreckage of the last, austere and strong, with wide eyes fixed upon the future. Sho demanded from all her children courage. She regarded «Eony as a, commonplace-. She made mo feel that in giving three sons to her service I had done no more than I ouzht to do. and that to havo done less would hay; dishonour. I had done no more tluu multitudes of men had done, and had I dono less I ehoiild have been unworthy of her motherhood.

In the final chapter, "The Happy Warrior," a pathetic but nobly eloquent note is struck. Mr. Dawson's book will, I trust, bs widely read in this country, as a worthy pendant and supplement to his eldest son's ■ (Mr. Coningsby Dawson) well-known contributions' to the literature of the war, "The Glory of tho Trenches" and "Khnki Courage." (Price is. Gd.)

The International Solution. "The International Solution," by Flight Sub-Lieutenant H. B. Hyde, B.N. (George Allen and Unwin), is an exceptionally interesting contribution to the study of tho greatest of post-war problems, the necessity of devising some completely reliable safeguard against the world having to suffer a repetition of its awful agony of the last four years. The author, a young New Zealnndcr, had, in on earlier work; "The Two Itoads: luternationnl Govcrnincut or Militarism," given ;i preliminary and broad outline of the scheme he now works out in greater detail, and judging by the opinions of leading English thinkers, with Viscount Bryce at thoir heud, and newspnpers of high standing which are quoted in a preface to the present volume, his ideas app.ear to have been received with much approval and reaped. . Mr. Hyde now comes forward with a detailed, scheme of international government. Briefly, what ho proposes is the establishment of a Parliament composed of representatives of all nations; a law court presided over by a body of Judges nominated and elected by that Parliament;- and an international armament sufficiently strong to enforce the decisions of that court. As will be seen, Mr. Hyde is not lacking either in imagination or courage, and nt first sight his scheme might be deenicd impossible of fulfilment in practice. It is only fair to say that as' Mr. Hyde elaborates nnd explains hie scheme, the obstacles in tho path of its accomplishment lose much o{ their first apparent difficulties and dangers. To many read-c-rs the chapter entitled ' "The Asiatic Peril" will be specially interesting. Mr. Hyde emphasises the danger of tho Asiatic countries, more particularly China, adopting , a militaristic attitude and policy. It is to bo feared, however, that China is. to-day, and is likely to continue to bo for somo years to come, in far too chaotic a state from a political point of view to be ripe 'for inclusion in such a scheme of international government such as that; proposed by the author. Since Mr. Hyde's book was first published in London ho has issued a pamphlet entitled "An International Parliament," in which he further elaborates his scheme. His suggestion of 9ie formation of nn international police force, formed from all the States joining the Federation, is in accordance with tho now widely-held view that tho establishment of a, Leagj3 of Nations must have, ;ts its corollornry, the institution of some united and well-organised means of enforcing its decisions. Even thoso who may not be inclined to accept Mr. Hyde's scheme in ;ill its details ns practicable or even desirable, must admit the force and lucidity with which the author marshals his arguments and tho manifest earnestness which characterises his contentions generally.

"How Foch Makes War," Mr. E. G. Maries, a member of the literary staff of Hie Sydney "San," is responsible for an excellent little book of war studies, entitled "How I'och Makes War" (Sydney: Dymock and Co.). Mr. Marks, whose earlier work, "Napoleon and the War," proved ils author to bo a diligent stndeut and able writer of military history, now sets forth Foch's splendid, record in tlio Great AYnr, describing in detail the various strategic plans and triumphs of the famous Allied Generalissimo. Mr. Marka's literary style is a trifle too staccato and jerky, but it has a certain dramatic force which is well in keeping with the scenes nnd incidents dealt with. (Price, 2s. fid.) Three Pretty Booklets. To the series of well written, prettily illustrated booklets descriptive of New Zealand scenes issued by Messrs. "Whitcombo and Tombs, Ltd., two timely and exceptionally attractive additions have now been liiade. Mies Edilh Baughani, whoso keen eye for (lie picturesque and graceful literary style gave swell agreeable result in her previous efforts, "The Finest Walk in the World" and "Studies in New Zealand Scenery," now gives us a delightfully written description of the beautifully situated, peaceful little town of Akaron! whither in the summer timi> ho many visitors in quest of quiet restful enjoyment find their way from the busy cities. There.is a careful little study of the historical associations of Akaroa, and the author waxes almost rapturously enthusiastic over the natural bonulies of the picturesquely situated little town, all embraced with gardens and orchards, and its fine harbour. The illustrations have been well chosen, and the booklet is not only a useful and interesting guide, but is worth buying mid preserving ns welt for the chnrm of its fine literary elvlo. Another well-known lndy writer, Miss Edith Howes, is the author of a littlo booklet, also published by Messrs. "IVbitcombo and Tombs, ami entitled llio Marlborough Sounds." Like Miss Bnugham Miss Howob hns blended history and

topographical description in a. very happy and effective manner. Even to those to whom tho suenic beauties of the Sounds, so ensy of access to ■\VeHingtoninns and yet to so many city residents still on undiscovered country, aro familiar, Miss Howes's gracefully written little sketches will be very welcome. The illustrations, many of which aro from specially taken photograph!) from points of vieir often neglected by the professional photographer, are a decidedly attractive feature of this excellent little publication. Under the. title "Wonderwi»|{B and Other Fairy Stories" Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs have issued a very tastefully got up little booklet contniiiing three eeparato nnd complete fairy stories from the clover and jjraceful pen of that now well practised and very skilful writer of this class of literature, Miss Edith Howes. In all three, and especially in tho aecond story, "The Magic Mirror," Miss Howes proves herself possessed of a very pretty fancy, and, what is more, the power to lend a fine air of Tenlity to a cleverly imagined conceit. Yourur people —"qnite young , " people for preference— should greatly appreciate a cony of "Wondc-nvings" as a seasonable gift. The illustration!! (some of which are in colour; by Mies Alice Poison are a little unequal in merit, but nre full of promise. I prefer the black and white drawings, in two or three of which there is an agreeable suggestion of the work of Sobt'rt Aiming Bell and Miss Jessie Kiiiff, than whom in this class of illustration there could bo no better masters. The excellence of tho colour work, reflects high credit upon tho publishers. It is quito equal to the best London work in this style.

"Pirate Bridge." Bridge players should welcome nn authoritative guide to the latest development of auction bridge. Such a work is now provided by Foster's "Pirate Bridge" (B. P. Dutton and Co., per Angus and Dobprtson and Wliitcnmbi , and Tombs). Mr. Foster is admittedly tho best expert authority on card games, more especially the various latter-day developments of tho good old' frame of whist. In an interesting sketch n{ the history of bridge, Mr. Foster credits a Mr. John Doe, an Anglo-Indian, with haying invented auctira bridge. It -remained, he says, for Mr. Aleister Oowlpv to go a fitcp further' than Doo. . The idea of auctionbridge was to distribute the privilege of making the trump, giving everyone at tho table a chance. Mi , . Crowley improved upon this by distributing the privilege of picking the partner who could bfflt support tint trump, nr who could offer 'the best defence against it. Instead of having all •partnerships dneidp<l by (hfir accidental position at the table, his plan was to have tlw partners select each other by a sort of proposal and nccpntance, according to t.he suitability of their joint hands. Mr. Crowley explained his ideas to Mr. Crowninshield', th'fi Mlitor of t!'O New York weekly "Vanity Fair." who at once saw its possibilities, christened the now game "piriito bridge," mill introduced it to (■)■» c.'nvlnlnyimr world in a series of. articles, the first of which was published in January.' 1017. Mr. Foster's work deals with every fii-nge and variation of the game, and offers advice as to the best plnv at; each juncture. The chapters on bidding, accepting, and refusing.unsuitable partners are models of shrewd obsprvntinnand lv'dity in exwrcssing the counsel given. Tbo rules of lite gamp aro given in full, nnd several illustrative games aro -worked out in detail.

Miscellaneous. Messrs. Georgo Allen and Unwin, Ltd., London, forward a copy of a clothboiind library edition of "The Way of Honour," by JI, Carton do Winrr, Belgian Minister of Justioe.M. do' Wiart's eloquent and ' impressively convincing (statement of the Bolgian case against Germany was reviewed in these columns a few weeks ago. In its new edition tho work, a collection of most important documentary evidence os to tho blood guilt of Germany mid the splendid heroism of tho Belgian nation, will, I trust, find its way into every public library throughout the Dominion.

Books denling with such matters as face massage, the use of cosmetics, and other aids, legitimate or doubtfully beneficial, to the preservation of feminine beauty nre 100 frequently the work of ignorant persons who pose ns so-called beauty specialists, and whose prescriptions and recipes are very largely confined to preparations of which the authors are the vendors, or in which they have some indirect financial interest. Dr. Diehard W. Mnller, (ha author of

"Hygiene of the Face and Cosmetic Guide" (N.Y...E. P. Jhitton and Co.; per Angus and Robertson and Whitcombo and Tombs) claims that he deals with his eubject from a scientific poinc of view, and, that the various treatments and preparations set forth in his bookarc non-injurious to the skin. The author doala in derail with various diseases and affections, of the skin, and claims that in his chapters on the u.ie of cosmetics ho has provided "a most valuable collection of prescriptions, many of which have hitherto been carefully guarded and quite inaccessible to the general public." A second work of the same author, and from the same publishers, ie ontitled "Baldness; its Causes, its Treatment, and its Prevention." Tho author expresses the opinion that not enough attention is given to the hair, either by the majority of people or by the niedicnl profession, and shows how a moderate amount of preventive care ivill do away with moet hair troubles. Tho nnalomy of tho hair ie explained, and descriptions are given of the principal diseases, accidents and physical defects which cause loss or prevent the growth of the hair, tho appropriate treatment in each case being outlined. The book is intended for the individual as well as the general practitioner, and is therefore written in eimple, non-technical language, and is very fully illustrated and provided with all necessary recipes and directions, etc., for treatment. Books Received. Amongst other new and important books recently received and to be reviewed when space is available are:— "The Life and Letters of Sir Joseph Hooker," "Three Generations of tho Paget Family" (John Murray), "Tho Art of J. J. Hildor," and an edition do luxo of "Selected Poems," by Henry Lawson. Several other now books received through Whitconibo and Tombs and S. and W. Mackny w.ill be reviewed in due course. Stray Leaves. American reviewers warmly commend an historical novel, aftor the etylc of Flaubert's "Sahimmbo." which is the latest: production of tho great Spanish novelist Vicente Blasco Ibariez. Tho title is "Sonnica," and tho story deals with tho invasion of Spain by , the hordes of Hannibal (the Pan-German of his ago, as ono -writer calls him). Anqjher book by Ibanez, which does not ficem as yet to have reached the Now Zealand boolcfilioDS, is entitled "Tho Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse." It is described as an epic of tho Marno, and has had an pnormoiifl sale in Snaiii and in France. An English translation is available, and I shall await it's appearance out hero with some curiosity. A "Lif»" of Frederick Coiirt"iiay Scions, F.G.S., the fa-nious African lmn(er and naturalist, who fell in the East African camraign, has been written by Mr. J; G. Millais. Of all the A r ictorian humourists. Dougliir Jori'old was probably the wittiest, although Ms friends were apt to complain that his satire was sometimes n trifle ton sharply cdgwl. and that he did not sufficiently discriminate in its employment. An entirely new "Lii'o" nf Jot Told bus linen written by his grandson, Walter Jcrrold. and is to bp published by Hodder and Stoughton in two volumes. Mr. Grant Richards announces a new i novel, "Mansol Fellowes," by Mr. A. M. Llmdovici, whose namo is well known as the editor and translator of several of

Nietzsche's works, and as tho author of that romurkablo hook, "A Defence of

Aristocracy." Mr. Thomas Burke, the author of thoso clover, if Bonu'wliat unpleasant, etorion of London's Chinatown, "Limehouse Nights" and "Twinkletoes," was married en,rly in October Inst to Miss Winifred Wells, also nn author. A new niitobiogniphy which fluelittn Iμ well worth rending is Dr. Suily's "Jfy Life and Friends: A Psychologist's Memories," which is published by Fisher T'nwin. Dr. Stilly wrote, it may bo remembered, an exceptionally clever and book on "Laughter." In younger days he wa.s a friend of Leslie Stephen, and a member of the famous "Sunday Tramps" fraternity. Amongst the celebrities of whom his book gives memories are such men us Darwin, Huxley, Bain, Cotter Morrison, Willinm .tames, Herbert Spflncer, ICinglnkp, the historian of tho Crimea, and George Meredith.