MARK TWAIN IN GAOL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 530, 4 January 1913, Page 3

MARK TWAIN IN GAOL.

Ona of the most amusing Btories we have read about the famous humourist. Mark Twain, is contained in an article in the January issue of "Life" just to hand, i U is one of a series of personal reminiscences of the great fun-maker being contributed bv Mr Carlyle Smythe, who was Mark Twain's manager during his lecturing tour of Australasia and South Africa, and it tells how Mark Twain and the writer went to visit Colonel Rhodes and his fellow political prisoners after the Raid, and what befell them there. This article of Mr Smylhe's is one of a number of excellent contributions of the January issue of this fine Australasian magazine.

There are among other items in "Life," a striking sketch of the career of -Dr Morrison of China; a beautifully illustrated description by Charless Barrett of a very rare bird; a racy account of the personnel and methods of the New York police force by Mr Charles Nuttall, who is able to comment, first-hand, on the recent scandals which have disrupted what he sarcastically terms "the finest force in the world." In the Explanation Department the "man in the street" is briefly informed "How Turkey is Disintegrating"; "Who Sir Edward Carson Is"; "What the Passion Play Is;" "TheTerma of the Anglo-Japa-ne<se Treaty," set. The chief feature of the Sciene and Ail depart ments in this month's "Life" is an illustrated interview with Marconi, who outlines the possibilities of wirele«s. Sport lovers are also taught "How to Become Strong;" "How, to use the New Swimming' Motor;" "How to Live oh Nothing a Year." A dozen subjects of vital and wordwide interest are treated under the heading of "What the World is thinking," most space, of course, being devoted to a discussion of the war in'the Balkans. Dr Fitchett touches, with his customary incisiveness, the chief topics of interest in Australasia and on the other side of the world that have cropped up during the month, and ends his series of exploration articles with a brilliant account of the tragic expedition of Burke and Wills. In this number the results of Lite'" Prize Contest No. 1 are, given, and Life's Prize Contest No. 2, with £5 cash'for first prize, is announced. Liffe's success aa' an Australasian magazine as been great, and it is due chiefly to the way in which it caters for busy, intelligent pople. The January issue, now before us, is an excel* lent Bixpen'orth.