BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 181, 26 April 1919, Page 11

BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

(By - Liber.)

BOOKS OF THE DAY Post-War Problems and the League of 1 Nations. Librarians must view with some nlarm tho o"vor-iuureiiains "bulk of-what"may- bo' called post-war-problem literature.- As willi the hundreds 'of'..books dealing with various phases and aspects of the Great War when it was actually, in. progress and the almost equally .alarming-mass of literature in which the cause.'; and origins of the war have been discussed, so with the literature, which is being devoted to the. many grave and dillicult. questions .which are the war's aftermath —it is becoming increasingly t'iflicult. to nick out the works which really count, wllieh are. really worth attention and detailed study.' To-day I have b'efoi;o me ho fewer than four books and bookletsdealing with post-war problems/ Of these, by far the most important, is a. volume entitled "Problems of the International Settlement" (George Allen and Umvin), and . consisting •of a series of papers by "eminent .European and American jurists and publicists," with an introduction by Mr. G. Lowes.Dickinson. The majority of these papers'arc reproduced' (iii translations)--from the "Reoueil de lvapports," published by tlic "Contral for/ a Durable Peace." an international' 'association, founded at The Hague in.' 1915 to study anil advocate such n settlement at the conclusion of the war as will guarantee n durable, peace. According to the programme of this association, ns given by' Mr. Dickinson, .the objects aimed ,at by, tho. association are practically, if not always nominally, those which,'it is understood and hoped, would bo attained by a League uf Nations/ of which, we have recently'heard so much.. It is suggested that Tho Hague Conference shall be given a permanent, organisation, and meet at regular intervals, there being also created,' in- addition to the "existent ■ Hague Court of Arbitration (a) a permanent Court of. International •'Justice.' and (bj -a permanent "international Council of Investigation ■ and Conciliation." Tho'punitivo or.preventive .powers which it has been proposed to give 'to the League of Nations:\Vouhl, under this scheme, bo controlled by Tlic : Hague Courts, armaments are to be reduced, tho "right .of capture''' (at. sea) abolished, anil all secret treaties declared void.; In support of this programme rappear articles by .-various :writers, all. of. .whom have identified themselves with pacifist principles;- It is noticeable that out-side Mr.. • Dickinson's . introduotipnj . 110 I'-ritish publicist (is represented, and but . two. 1 Americans, Professors Xivermore and Hull, of "tho Swarthmore - University; French;.; opinion reflected (to what:, extent .'I. cannot say) by "a progranimo of lasting peace" drawn up by a 'French pacifist society! It would be interesting to have tho opinions upon this of such Frenchmen as Clemcnceau, Foch, and I'oincnre. Austria, Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Denmark avo all represented, and also, "a Dutch Committee," which has set itself tho- .task ot considering "How far/is the sanction of an international boycott desirable?" anil discussing also "the limitation, of armaments, by international-agreements." To some readers of the hook it might have seemed more to the.;point had this "Dutch committee" devoted some attention to the subject.of .money-grubbing by neutrals at the expense of. contendmg ■nations. As a summary of pacifist opinion in various European -countries tho book is distinctly valuable, however much its English readers, may .- diner from certain of the theories and arguments -therein presented. "The League of Nations: A Practical Suggestion"': (Hodder and- Stoughton), - is a little"booklet-from the pen of that (lis. '.tinguished South. African 'statesman and military commander, General Smuts. General Smuts says that his. refleclions have convinced him that "tho ordinary concoptipli of tho League of Nations is not a fruitful one, nor is it tho V'?' IC one, and that a radical transformation of it is necessary." He'holds tho view that in order, to grip-at an earlier stHR3 those "complex forces" from which l'eaco and War result, "the League of Nations will have to occupy tho great position which has been rendered vacant by tho destruction of so many of the old European empires and the passing away of the old European order." The League of Nations should, lie contends, "be put ji:1o the very forefront of tho programme ot the Poaco Conference." It, is worthy ot note that General Smuts, whose pamphlet is -well worthy of careful attention by all who .are studying the • vast and complicated problem of ' the control or nations by the nations, through the suggested League, accepts the principle ot an "economic and financial boycott" being employed as a weapon against a nation- or State which- refuses to obey the decrees of . a properly constituted League of Nations. ' Written in May last year, \ iscount Grey's pamphlet on "The League of Nation's" (Oxford University Press) necessarily refers to certain conditions anil events which to-day have lost jmioh of their one-time importance. To \ iscount Grey, ns to General Smuts, "tho establishment and ■ maintenance ot » League -of' Nations, Riich -ns President ' Wilson has advocated" (it was advocated, it may here be remarked, liy Viscount—tlien 'Sir Edward—Grey long before -the principle received a Wilsonian fathering), "is more important and essential to a secure peace than any of the actual terms of peace that may eonelude the war: it will traiiPcend them

aii The lies!" of them will be worth little unless the future relations of States are to lie on a' basis that will prevent a recurrence of militarism in any State." . .... "The Millennium?" is the striking title 'of a little book by Sir lan Hamilton, and published by Edward Arnold. Sir lan has a vigorous, lucid literary style, and attacks various after-war problems in a spirit of courage and confidence in his ability to find solutions for tlicni which is decidedly engaging. He is out just as much against a selfish, sordid coiinimrcialism as against an arrogant and tyrannous militarism; Like a second Juvenal lie cracks the whip of scornful, satire and fiery denunciation over not a few political and social evils. .Not .even Ililaire Belloc fan give his fellowcountrymen a sounder berating than does i this general, turned political and social I reformer. Autocracy, lie says, has gone under, plutocracy must follow suit. Sir lan takes a long time to come, to liW main point, but iu tho end he makes it very clear first: that he is under no illusion that we have seen the last war; secondly, that lie has come back to the old . idea of war against war, not by leagues or protocols, but by oiir own right arms—i.e., by the spread of an EngliMt-speaking Empire bound in closest entente to France, whose views

mi freedom, tlui rights of. man, uiul culture are of estimable value to tlio Slate as well as to Great lirilain.; "ami, third-, -iv. what we want more I ban anything: else is the inculcation of a spirit of.vol- j untarv service of the. imhviilual to the ! nation—to conscription he is as bitterly opposed ns lie was before the.war. As to tlmt "clmuly, ill-denned conception, the' League of Nations," lie will have noun of it. "There is," ho says, "no .payment demanded for the Hnglish-speak-•ing .Umpire, but the entrance fee into a League of Nations will lie tlio forfeiture 'Of our monopoly of certain essential raw ' and our abdication' from- our. sovereignty •of .the seas;.. Tliiil ;w'ould bo only Hie "first payment."' Sir lan ■ Hiui'iilon'n hook mav give risolo/soino adverse critic- ' isin. but it should most assuredly "give ■ furiouslv to: think.".•' ..■Prom; Messrs. 'Georgo : Allen and TJntt'in comes "A Handbook for Speakers on a League of Nations." '1 'ho contents, compiled by the League of Nations' Society, include a detailed exposition of tlio League of Nations' project, not disregarding certain very controversial points I connected therewith, and an injeresliiigsurvev of the part played in history by the theory nf inlernaliomi.l government l and the idea of arbitration. lu the

Give a man a pipe lit can smoke, Give a'man a book he can read; And his home is bright, with a calm delight Though the room bs poor indeed. —r J AMES TfIQMSOH.

appendices are given tho opinions of many leading' British, American, and Uuroncau statesmen and publicists 011 the League of Million."*' principle, and the programmes of certain peace societies. •\ specially useful feature of the publication is an excellent bibliography. "Wrack of War." "Wrack of War" (London,- John Murray; per \Vliitca:ul)e'and 'tombs, Ltd.), •is describe! - by its ' author, .Mr. J. A. Ilnmmerton,. ■■ as a. sheat' from "tho harvest of memories—proud and sorrowful—gleaned-during little journeys through the British .battlefields of li'mnce ami Flanders in tlio nuuunn m I!M7 and spring uf 1!)18," ■Tho sketches, of' winch the .book is composed .deal more-' with the psychological side of war than with the actual fiuhhirs. ilr. Hamnievton knew his Trance and the French people very well before tin?-war, and ho was peculiarly well (nullified'to describe tho ruin and havoc, which lias, been brought upon so many prosperolls- French imvns and lieacefui villages by- tho unspeakable Hun. His tribute* to the unwearying patience, the indomitablo courage, and confidence, even under the most crushing niisi'ort-.ines, of the French people, ■ lire' eloquently and- gracefully wonted. Also he is keen to detect the. special dualities which were displayed during the war by men from various parts, of tile British Empire. lie was greatly imwrcsscd with the "physical beauty" of tho Australians.-ijiul New Zealand.ers, a .paint by I lie., way, upon . which JohnMasofield laid stress- in that memorable book of his, "Gallipoli." Mr. IJanimerton had seen the Australians in the Strand, and had. noted a "certain looseness'of limbs, a-suggestion.of gaucherie in the carriage and especially'in the arm movements.'' ■. '- . Later ' Oil- he' saw; them. in. France, and revised his first impression very considerably, ''The, Stranu," 110 says, "is' no .place'.to get a-just, impression of the Australia-l. A ->wan is not. peon to advantage as it-waddles along the bank- of its lake." .. "Oil horseback .they specially attracted him. The filial chapter of Mr. Hamnicrloii's interesting book is entitled "With Ji.L.S. in . the Land of War." .. Ilr. ilammertoii, who n few years ago laid every good Stevensouian under a debt of gratitude w)tli that delightful book "In ,the Track of Stevenson,' again traces'the route of that "Inland Voyage" of which Stevenson wrote so delightfully, a voyage which took the. two young Scotsmen-in canocs alone the. Mouse and SambV'e and through the heart of a country which, alas, lias suffered most disastrously--during the. .war,. Mr. ITammerton's book contains 'some excellent illustrations..

LIBER'S NOTE BOOK \nnc Thabkoray Ritchlo. English papers of early in March record ;ht> death of Lady .Uid.'moiid. Ttitchio Thackeray's oldest daughter) at-the fine ml of'Bl. I/?u|y Ritchie, who was the vidow of .Sir Richmond Ritchie, Permon':it Under-Secretary »t t' ,p Tmlj.n Office, ,vas a'contriljutbr to the "Cornhill Magawhich, il; may lie remembered, had lier illustrious father as its first editor. I can well remember, .lis a boy.readinn mo of her novels, "Old i Kensington," is it ran it? serial course through the •ellow-backed "Cornhill." Another of ier novels "was "Th<j Story of Elizabeth." tn later life Lady Ritchie wrote more ;hau one book of literary reminiscences, mil contributed biographical introducions to an edition of her father's works. iVhon the Thackeray ; Centenary: came •oumj, "Liber". .wrote "in another ilace','.':.as tin; Parliamentarians say, a ienglliy- apprkiation'of the great Victorian novelist awl his'work. A copy nf the newspaper containing the article found its way to Lady Ritchie, who was and enough to write me a very charming letter, which 1 greatly value, and with it enclosed a scrap of paper in I'hackeray's hiuulwritiilg, which "may," ivrute Lady Hitchie, "be of special interest to a* colonial admirer of my father is it' was penned in Paris about the lime my father was writing 'Vanity fair.'" Thackei'ay wrote two hands. In many of his letters, especially those written in his. younger days, he adopted ii' sloping, "running" hand. In the manuscripts of most of his novels and in his correspondence in the later years uf his,life, he. employed an, almost perpendicular style. . The great novelist prided himself, I may say, upon the distinctness of his handwriting. For a young American lady admirer he. oncc wrote the Lord's Prayer on a piece'of paper the size of a threepenny-bit. In the autograph note so kindly given to "Liber" by the late Lady Ritchie, tin handwriting is distinctly sloped, almost minutelv small, but iK'autitully clear Lady Ritchie was Thackeray's eldest daughter. '. His. other, ' the younger daughter (Thackeray left no malt issue), married Jm\, afterwards Sii Leslie Stephen, ' - and died sonu years ago. In their childhood the Thackeray girls were great friends.of Charics biekens's daughters Of the pleasant mutual relations oi' the two families (although the fathers hac a long ami hitter ([iiarrel) Lady Uitehii litis written very pleasantly _ in he, memoirs. Oi .Dickens's children tw< no\v only survive, .Henry Melding Die kens, who is a lvA and.a Judge, am lvate Dickens, whose first ! husband \va, Charles Alston Collins, a brother o AVLlkio Collins, the novelist, and win afterwards.married, Mi'. C. E. Perugini a ivell-known artist. .Mr. Perugini died last year. The Lato Stephen Reynolds, Mr. Cecil Ifarmswnrtli contributes tc "The Times" literary supplement (L'Vb niary 20) an interesting letter on the life and work of I lie late Stjphcn Reynolds, who passed away, still comparatively t vouug man, in .(.Miliary last. .Reynold; lived for many years amongst the Cor nish fishermen, and wrote several book; of short stories dealing with fisher-loll; life. Of these Hie best known are "A Poor Jinn's House," "itow "LVns, aiu "Seems So, a Working .Man's View o: Polities" Of later years '.Reynolds hai been employed by Hie Fisheries Board Mr.'TTarmsvorth praises ins construct™ genius warm heart, and eager brain "For a literary man lie. was exceptionally and intensely practical, and many of tin r»eoinuiendutions in his reports havt had verv henetieial result "m l.u humble 'fishers' homes, where 'ho wa: known and welcomed as a guardian am friend."

SOME RECENT FICTION

Hugh Walpole's Latest. By his-latest story, "The Secret City" (Macmiliaii and- Co.), Mr. Hush Wnlpale, who>:e "i'ortitudc/' "IJuehess 01 Wrexc/' and '"TiiG-Clicon Mirror wore novels of Quito outstanding excellence, must Ijo held to have f'.nally established himself as ;i novelist ot the very lirst rank.- 1 Know oi' no other hnslish novelist, 6uvperhaps .Mr. Convail, of whose inlluent'D on Mr. Walpole s latest work more anon, who i-onld have given us sncli u subtle and yet oll'octivo analysis of die complex liiissian mind twin that whicn Mr. Wnlpole places in the month of the young Englishman (the smiic Philip Durwatcl whom we first met in ",lhe Dane i'oreat"), who is the narrator of the new story. It is no easy thin;,' to' understand the Russian character; indeed, as .Mr. Walpole admits. it ;s doubtful whether any English writer has ever succeeded—or even ever will niicceed-iii so doing. • Here we have, linder the guise or fiction, ail Irishman's .first-hand impressions/of tlic ivussiun revolution, of iric political temper. oi the social ntmospliere of Pctro'-irad during those dark and dubious days when the shadow's of coming Ireaelierv were already falling fast and thicklv on the Russian nation. Willi eiwiii" frankness .Mr. Walpole tolls us, in"his preface, that lie may have been mistaken in the inferences he drew from the events he. witnessed and the, facts with which he deals. But tor the facts

no vouches. The methods be employs to reproduce for bis readers the general atuospliere of the .revolution and to show iiow all the various classes of the eomuunity were specially alVecied. Mr. Willpole, in whose work a wise restraint and tho power' of suggestion' count for so , much, the lurid and tawdry melodrama of' Mr. William Le I'ueux or the cheap if cleverly piecrd together kinoniatogrnph effects o{ which Air. Philip .Oppenlieim is so skilled a", coii:ocfer. ilr. Walpole's plan, has ■ been to illustrate the forces which made "for the downfall of the .Romanoff dynasty. Hid the advent, of anarchy by tracing the laily life of the ?darcovitches, an. upper middle class family. -Nicolai .Markovitch, the head of the family, is.a dreamy, ufl-. successful invenlor, a iimid, helpless, bat aone the less rather lovable creature. 1 lis wife Vera, is a keen brained resourceful woman who patiently lier joyless life until p'issi"ii becomes ioo much for her, and she loves-a handsome','voiin;*;' Knglishninn attached to the Embassy.Strong as if. her passion, ner sense of doty, plus that' strange maternal. in-' sfinct which dictates her unfailinu protection of the buiuile of r.cfvesiand eccentricities to whom she- is. legally, tied, makes her capable of a splendid act. of renunciation-and sc-lf-sacrifico. Then, too,, there is the weak, indolent, frivolous Nina, h-pr sister,, wild'also loves, the'liand-. some Henry, l.iohun, but. is eventually; carried away by the llaniboyaiit vapour-: ings of her revolutionist loyer, Boris. (irogolV. - A third .sister, Marie,, was tlie. 1 heioine of Ilr.'Walpole's .earlier 'story,: "The Dark Forest." The villain of the piece, a terribly sinister - personage,- . is Aloxei Semyonev, who, having gone mad through disappointment over Marie s death; now turns up in Petrograd as the. evil genius of the Marcovitches, and plots and carries out with a cynicism so brutalas to bo.almost-revolting, a tragedy of a character as only such, a morbid iind half insane creature could have imagined.; Mv. Walpole shows how encli member ol tho Marcovitch circle is afi'ccled by the revo: lution, and introduces also various .subsidiary figures, 'one of whom a baron high up ill tho official world, ."mnjr bo taken as representing Itussian political reaction, and another, "The Ral,''as. incarnating t.lio spirit of wildest, 'maddest anarchy. Then, too,-.there are the:threO-. Kiiglishnien of tlie story—Philip Dnrward.. the narrator, wlioso" acifuaintauee-- we. lirsl made in Mr. Waljiole's earlier/story: of the war, "The Dark' forest'; -Harry -' Boliun, the" frank and honest .English soldier; ami "a third British figure, Lawrence, who may''be taken' as a typeslightly caricatured it may be—of diplomatic officialdom. -The strength of the story lies not so much-in the demoniacal scheme*'!)!' Semyonev, haunted always by; his morbid memories, and enmeshing slowly but surclv the unfortunate Markovitch' in a web of destruction, nor in the love-story of Bohun and Vern, stillvless--111 that of Niua and Grogolf, but 111 its brilliantly dramatic presentment of. tho ravohition, that tragically sudden letting loose of the forces which, at first nailed by the people as factors ill the creation of a new era of liberty, proved to be but the precursors of anarchy and misery unfathomable. It is the atmosphere of the book that counts. And hero let me Bay that the Conrad influence, at which 1 have, hinted above, has been responsible for a certain divergence from that direct-ne:-s which is so desirable in. a story dealingwith .precise, definite events..!he svmbolic comparison of the clammy, death-dealing miasma of. .'the wevamarshes with tho. foul excrescences ot fungoid auarchv is clever enough in us way, but when too frequently intruded is apt to lose its force. - But for Mr. alpole s pictures of Petrograd, of its .people, of its selfish, - arrogant officialdom,' ot the iron-handed despotism which, once broken, gave place to the wildest license; for his series of cleverly-drawn inter yiinvs, ns that of Uio ill-fated Marcovitch eircle, for the ingenious contrasting of the British and ltussian point of view one can have nothing but praise. "The Secret City" is not only a very line novel, it is more than merely good fiction. Tt is a work of consummate literary artistry. Tho story will leave upon miinv minds an impression of: despair as to tiic possibility of. limsia making any rapid emergence from' tho welter, ot anarchy, bloodshed, and misery into wh'c.li tlio "iieil". section has 'plunged the. country.