BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 144, 13 March 1920, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

"A Little Loot." ■ "A Little Loot" (d'eorgo Allen and Unwin) ;s a collection of very amusing prose and verse—lmiiiily " verse—contributed by Sir.. C. B. V; iuib'x to the coin in ns of "Punch." Mr. Knox is ft genuine huniorist, lightlv and 'happilv satirising many of the fads, fancies, .and' lollies of his day. Sonic of the articles end verses deal with the humorous side of social life during the* war" period, but there are sly and good-natured hits at human weaknesses and. small domestic woes which are always with us. The author is evidently a -keen golfer, and some of his most successful eftorts'deal with that so-called "royal and antient game." Mr. luio.x occasionally attempts parody, as in "Lines to a Mudlark." "The Hollow Reed" (a'.parody-on E. li. Browning), or in "Salvo At'riue Vale,": "Lines to a Worn-out Shaving Brush" (after A.C.S.). In his "Ode to Any Hairdresser," Mr. Knox' sounds a iiote'of revolt -which many a oiilferer from' the importunities of a "tonsorihl rirtist" will 1 echo.' A sample verse or two :— .!

Think of me'what, you will; as one! demented, Or far too poor to pay the price you rush, '' - Or weary ,of strange. liquids,- lotus scented, And : guaranteed to make the ■ top knot. lush; .; , Think of me as a man in cr : cf-immevsVd.-Likely to let the <lamn thing - fall and burst, . , Or having such a dickens of a thirst '. That I should drink it (yes, the medium brush I).

But by the sacred Muses and: Apollo. • I would not take a/'iramnle bottle' full Of your ambrosial bear's' 'grease; I can follow. . ' J ' ' V.. Tour arguments. younir imji: Iplainli' see Tho little pool you nour'iWo 'your palm— Kow odorous it is, hew' cl<iar, how calm! If there'is anywhere itv Gilind balm', This is the A 1 blend; but none pie. ■

L shall'grow bald tli'cn, shall I?. Thank 'you, barber; That is the goal I look to; bo it 'soon!' The day o£ cloudlcss skies, of stormicss harbour,' TThcn I shall come 110 more toi hear you croon,' . No .-more the unguent that, .offends niy sight; . No more the sacrificial garb o! white,.. '.. But.' oil .things, tranquil a/i .a summer _ .night, . ; Lit by a large, low, round and l-airlcsa moon. All very light and trivial maybe, but: cood entertainment'for a spare'hour'or eo.. when. the "blues" may threaten.