BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 287, 28 August 1920, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

By Romain Rolland,

Tho Forerunners," by Eomain Eolland (London, Qeorge Allen and Unwin, Ltd.), is, the author explains, a sequel to his well-known work "Above tho Battle." I -The famous French pacifist has here collected a number of articles written and published in Switzerland between tho end of 1915 and the beginning of 191!). Tho title, he explains, was specially 'chosen "in relation to the dauntless few. mho,'the world over, amid the tempests of war and universal ro- ' action, have been able to koep their thoughts free, their international faith , inviolate." "Tho future," says this (Frenchman who, whon his country was in 6uch sore peril of utter and permanent ruin, transferred himself to tho Enng security of a Swiss city, and there issued various philosophic exhortations en tho virtues of pacifism, the wickodjiess of misjudging tho enemy,, and so forth,"will reverence tho names of " these great' harbingers i who j have been flouted, reviled, "threatened, J .'found guilty, nnd imprisoned." . The !only Englishman in the. list is Mr. Bertrand Eussell. The majority of the articles glorify,, under the guisb of criticism, the lucubrations of various well-known internationalists, special eulogy being devoted to tho German scientist, Nicobii, •who, following Eolland's example in "refuging ' himself" at Geneva, considered that the air of Copenhagen was much healthier than that of Berlin. In view of what lias hapnoned in America the two "open letters" which Eolland addressed to President Wilson are, unintentionally, quite amusing.- In a footnote to the -second letter, 'Eolland admits that Mr. Wilson has grievously disappointed him. Ho speaks, for instance, of Mr. Wilson's "moral abdication" at the Peace ConffTence. The boolc Is one which should be greatly appreciated in certain quarters, but it-would te interesting to know what is thought of it in Paris. (Price, lis.)

A New Way to.Pay Off Old Debts. Under the title "The State Debt and the National Capital" (Metlnien and Co.) an anonymous writer brings forward an entirely now scheme ■ for the gradual redemption, of the British National' Debt. He proposes an annual compulsory loan, to be called a Exemption Levy, the bonds to carry interest ; at less than the interest rates currently ruling, and to bo paid off in full after the expiration of a certain fixed - period. The difference between the- current ,or market rate of interest and the. Tate of interest to be allowed on' these Eedemption Levy bonds would constitute the burden of.this forced loan. The author suggests' that. the levy could easily be made through.the existing taxing machinery. The amount to be thus collected for the fret year would be two hundred millions sterling,, the bonds to bear interest at per cent., the saying of ,the interest on debt which would be Teplaced being made available for the redemption of the capital'of'the debt. The scheme, which certainly possesses the merit of originality, is explained in detail,- possible objections being discussed, and the proposed new method compared with other methods which , have "been put forward, notably the sinking fund scheme nnd the proposal for a levy on .capital. The little book is well worthy of study by politicians and others interested in. State finance. With the Prince "On the Line."

In a handsomely-produced booklet entitled "Crossing the Line with His Eoyal ■Highness the: Prince of Walos" in H.M.S, E'ehown (Sydney; Angus and Robertson, per Whitcombo and Tombs) is given a much-detailed and yery amusing account of the ceremonies wliich took place on the Eenown when the warship, with the Heir Appnrerit to' the British Throne on board, crossed the line, and Father Neptune and.his assistants duly made their traditional appearance. Apart from the 6pecial interest .of. a detailed description of tlie Prince's initiation into the ancient Titos traditionally associated with tho occasion, the book is well worth reading, if only for the witty and humorous verse and "patter" which was recited by the leading actors in . the shriekingly funny Jittle. burlesque of which tho deck of the great battleship, was the temporary stage. Not the least interesting feature of this excellent record of an experience Fuch as rarely foils to the lot of European royalty _ is the long aeries of admirable illustrations appended to tho letterpress: Every phase and feature of the ceremony was duly recorded by (he photographers, and somo of the pictures are intensely funny. , Asa souvenir of the Prince's visit to the Antipodes the booklet is well worth purchasing and. preserving.

Some Australian Verse. "Poems" is the simple title of a volume of verse by Frederick I. Macarti ney. published by Sydney -J. Endacott, | -Melbourne. Mr. Mucartnoy possesses a decided gift for clever and graceful versification, in whiph he embalms .the thoughts of a philosopher-dreamer whoso philosophy is often very shrewd, and whose dreams are at times clothed in , no small verbal grace and beauty. Amongst other of- tho nature-poems included in the series entitled-"The Body ; of Dew," that entitled "Sundown" makes strongest appeal for quotation.;. It is . liot free from an insistent preciosity, but it has some real music in its lines: 'As when a golden goblet rolls, st banquet from a tipsy hand, The sun-rim rests upon the plain ana .. pours rich wine-light on the landBut ere the'darkneas wholly comes, a sud- • den quiet seems to fall," , And the far wavering cadence of the groundling plover's broken call 1 Is hushed for timorous fear to break the perfect calm that softly broods i Along the level line of grass and in the drowsy solitudes , : Of sapling clumps, grouped motionless in dusk of silver, shadowed blue; i And each reluctant memory slips to wist- ■ fulness of twilight too; And sadness deepens overy thought, as dark through fragile pearls may show The thread that,' a,!! but undefined, unites them in a sequent row.- ' Above the furthest timber-belt a cautious moon peeps like a'spy ■ ficaling a wall; an ibis flock with.-rapid pinions rustles by; ■ And night is as a lovely dream that charms a Btupid sleeper's brain, Diffusing magic fantasies through lonely leagues of empty plain. In very different vein are tho series of verses 'entitled "Commercium," with micli pvosnic headings as "Office Boy," "Accountant," "Typiste." .Tnst to show how versa'-ile Mr. Macartney's muso can be, I quote the lines entitled 'The Adding Machine": One, two, three, four, and round the cogs go; You get your total: butchers make sausages so! Kcd, white, and black rowa: press a separate key For pounds, shillings; pence (Hope, Faith, and Charity!) " ' / Figures need no brains now; they never . did—much! Here you have a metal Bkull that works by eight and touch,— A skull between the croasboneß of knees, where, heels on Btool, A figure sits hunched like a Punchinello . fool. ' Symbol of .the system, insignia of tho grind ' That calls for mentality withont requiring mind. "In Plainlands" (in the section entitled "Chants of Bfoken Times") tho author skilfully reflects the mingled'fascination and repellent weirdness of tho (Treat Australinn expanses'. Spnce limits, however, precludo furthor quotation. (Price 4s. Gd.)