BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 32, 1 November 1919, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

Mountaineering in Japan, "The Playground of the Far East" (London, John Murray, pur AVhitcombe and Tombs) is the title of a handsome volume in which the Bev. Walter Weston. a member of ■ the Alpine Club, and the first honorary member of the Japanese Alinue Club, describes 6ome of his many interesting experiences in mountain olimb'inp; in the Land of tho Eising Sua. llr. Weston, who acted for some vears as British chaplain at Yokohama, has an intimate knowledge of Japan and llio Japanese people, and quite apart from its special interest as a record of mountaineering and exploration in Japan, his book is possessed of no small value as a description of Japan of tho present day, its people, and its social institutions. His narratives of various climbing expeditions in the Fuji district, of explorations both in the southern and far northern alps of Japan, will be read with creat interest by both European and New Zealand members of tho great fraternity of climbers. Other readers will enjoy the author's descriptions of the BporU and pastimes of the ancient and the present-day Japanese, his charming account of rural life in Japan, his ingenious comparison of modern Japan, and ancient Greece, and his studies generally in the evoryday life of .the people. The author gives, for instance, an interesting description of tho Japanese bath. Ho says:— Critics of the Japanese chaTactor have, at times, charged that people, perhaps too hastily, with fickleness, but of the bathing haiit it may safely bo maintained that thqir love for hot yat/er has certainly never grown cold. It is iu the bathing customs (costumes aro non-cxiatent) at. ordinary Japanese inns that so wido .a diverscnco from all we aro nsed to at home is found,- and, ,as such, merits some brief notice. Arriving towards 5 p.m. or so the European traveller will usually find himself offered the privilege of the fitst dip—if we may so term the operation 'of parboiling his body in the large oval "i?ooden tnb' in water at about 110 degrees Fahrenheit,' for the space of twenty or thirty minutes. Noxt follow, after hiß exit, the other guests in order of dignity, or of arrival at, the inn—men first, for hero it is not ft. caso of placo aux dames. Then the landlord takes his turn, followed by the male members of hia family, until finally the landlady and her female relatives, if any, givo way to tho domestics, Irrespective of sex, according to the capacity of iho tub and the number ablo to get 'in at onca. Tho chattering' and pplaßhing thus continue for Bix or seven hcurs on end, and in spite of tiie fact that no soap may bo used in tho bath, and that all actual washing has to talcs placo outside the great tub, it is scarcely to bo wondered at, at I have indicated, that tho appearance of the liquid therein doos indeed, when all have finished, leavo much to be desired. Few things can bo nioro startling to an average Japanese— whoso clothes, if he be poor, are frequently washed, and his body far oftcner still— to iearn "that in many "workingclass" homes in our highly civilised country bathrooms are either non-existent, or whore provided by a conscientious landlord aro frequently used for no more personal purposes than as a, coal-box, a dust-bin, or a miniature flower-bed.

The author's account of the "making of a Japanese soldier" and his exposition generally of the modern spirit of Japan should come as a wholesome correctivo to much of tho woeful misconception and misrepresentation of latter-day Janan which is to bo found in certain American newspapers and in tho books of niora than one American writer who has held • Japan' up as a bogey to the Western world. The illustrations aro numerous, and some of them of great beauty. They aro reproduced, in many instances, from photographs by well known Japanese alpinists. There are also several useful maps.

"The Seafarers." Major Corbett Smith's two "Old Armv" books—"The Retreat from Mons" alio' "The Marne and After''—may be rightfully regarded as classics of war history, books which no war historian can afford to neglect. The author has r.ow turned his attention to the story of tho British Navy's exploits during the war. and in a volume entitled "The Seafarers" (Cassell and Co., per S. and W., Maokay) has set himself the task of describing, in the samo simple, direct, and eminently readable stylo which made his earlier books so popular, tho splendid services rendered, not only to Great Britain and the British Empire, but to nil the Allies and, indirectly to the whole civilised world, by the officers and men of tho British Navy. The.book is, the author explains, the outcome of special propaganda work undertaken by him, mainly as a lecturer, throughout England. Scotland, antf Wales, on bohalf of the Admiralty. Ho was officially assisted in tho compilation of his book, and specially acknowledges the value of the help given him by Admiral Lord .Teilicoe, to whose capacity, industry, and unfailinc enthusiasm in the discharge of his duties he pays a warm tribute. Of particular interest are tho chapters in which the author describes the blockade of Germany, the services of the merchant marine in conveying troops and food' across the ocean, tft? toilsome, patient, work of the mine-sweepers, and the little-known but eminently valued services of the motor patrol men. Many famous naval incidents of the war are dealt wit\i, an d the cheeriness, the dramatic power, humour, and sheer humanity of the narrative all contribute to its success as a record of national and individual well-doing. Tho illustrations include portraits t of Admiral Lord .Tollicoe and' Sir David Bealty, Rear-Admiral Sir Reginald Yorko Tvrwhitt, and '/iceAdmiral Sir Roger Keyes. Thoro is also a useful plan of the action in the Kattegat in 1917, and a diagram of the North Sea minefields.

A Charming Gift Book. Christmas, altihough it is "coming," is still many weeks away, but it is none too early to pick out gift, books for youthful readers, A special noto, in this connection, should bo made of a very charmingly produced book, "Elves and Fairies" (Melbourno and Sydney: Tho Lothian Publishing Company). The book contains n number of delightful poems, many of wilrich deal with Australian natural history, from the pen nf Annie R. Rentoul, with an accompaniment of a number of full-page illustrations, some in colour, others in black and white, by Ida Itentoul Outhwailc. The various drawings display a most whiiiifiic.nl and delightful fancy. Such drawings, W in- !• tii nee. ns "The Teddy Bears' Dinner Party" and "A Mother's Meeting," are quite irresistibly mirth-provoking. In others a delicate idyllic fancy is exhibited. The skilful contrasting of massed blocks with the graceful outline work is responsible for some specially charming effects. Miss Outlntinite's drawings would ■hold their own holh in the rich imagination of their conception r,nd their delightfully artistic presentment with tho best work, in the same genre, of draughtsmanship, of English and American illustrators. I have rarely come across a book for children in which illustrations and words are so happily wedded. I can quite understand the enthusiastic praiso given by Professor Strong, of Melbourne, in his preface to tho Work of tho two ladies, sisters. W'iio a.ro responsiblo for this very original anil delightful volume. AViso parents and good-natured relatives of the vniing folk should certainly nrake a special nolo of "Elves and Fairies," upon the exceedingly tasteful typography and get-up Rcncrallj of whioki tho publishers must bu congratulated. "Mce-Ow," Under tho quaint title "Mee-ow: The Book of tho Cat" (Melville and Mullen Ltd., Melbourne), Miss (or Mrs ?) E. M. Lessiio (a nom-de-pluuie which, so n i'liblirflicr's noto informs me, "hides tho identity of a prominent Melbourne society woman"), gives us a collection of aphorisms, epigrams, and brief comments upon society manners .mil customs and life generally, somo of which, though poiscositig a certain cynical flaYOur, aro

dccidcdiy crisp and entertaining. As thus Extreme propinquity is about aa undesirable for human beings, as it is for porcupines. Dealing with Fools is more fatiguing than alpino climbing. Mothers should bo infallible. Tho highly suceesaf'ul fianceo frequently doos a lightning chango into the distinctly disappointing wife. Many recognise genuis who would die rather than appraise it. What some folks can't dominate they are bound by their nature to liuteTho first tarto of a souffle, til© first kiss of love, tho first whiff of a cigarettenothing that, comes after can compare with them. Until government is settled by anthropometric method it will novcr bo satisfactory. Certain of the paragraphs 6uggeat a closo study of Oscar Wilde's comedies, and the author would ibavo dono woll to deleto othe.ro which are' chestnuts of tho most hoary antiquity, albeit they are dressed) up in nw garb. But, on bbo whole, "E. M. Lesslie" shows sho is a very keen observer of life. Her acquaintance with, th* feline typo of woman must havo been, however, one would imagine, more extensive than pleasant. "Tramps in the Far North." "Tramps in the Far North" is the titlo of a prettily-produced booklet published by Whitcombe lind Tombs, The author, Jtr. Hector liolitho, is a young journalist iveli known in Wellington as the editor of "The Book of the CI Camp" and other similar publications, llr. Boiitho now gives us a gossipy and interesting record of a tour in tho Whangnrei, Bussell, and Whangarca districts, and the Nortli Auckland country generally. His booklet, which contains several excellent illustrations, is not only an excellent advertisement. for tho Far North and its valuable natural resources, but 6hould prove a helpful guide .to those who may decide to spend their next holiday in that picturesquo and beautiful part of clie Dominion.