BOOK NOTICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17685, 24 July 1919, Page 6

BOOK NOTICES

"The "War Work of tho YJVLC.A. in Egypt. By Sir Jafn.es W. Barrett. London: 11. K. Lewis and Co. (Cloth, illustrated, maps, eta; 10s.)

Sir J. W. Barrett's cxpcrienco the Y.M.O.A. in Egypt was unique. Ho tells us in his prefaoe, as also in his previous book, " Tho Australian Medical Corps in Egypt," that on his arrival in Egypt in January. 1915, he became Assistant Director of Medical Services, and that "only those who were in Egypt at that time can ever form an adequate conception of tho storm which broke over that ancient and placid country whsn the wounded arrived from tho Dardanelles." Almost immediately tho Y.M.C.A. camo to his assistance, especially in connection with the convalescents and tho men on leavo. It was not possible for any of the official staff to do anything in tho way of providing for the social wants of tho men, as their hands were too full. But at tills point Mrs Elgood, herself a medical practitioner, though not in practice, took charge of thc_ social wants of tha men in tho Australian hospitals and organised a brigade of Anglo-Egyptian men and women to help. At the same time Mr Jessop, the General Secretary of tho Y.M.C.A. in Egypt, offered his services and earnestly discussed what was best to do in order to help men discharged from hospital or on leavs. With the aid of the_ Red Cross and of many private individuals the work was started, and the Esbekieh Soldiers' Club was established. Six J. W. Barrett made but one condition— that the Y.M.C.A. should not attempt to proselytise. To this Mr Jessop at once agreed. Religious services were held, and the men attended or not just as they pleased. Sir J. W. Barrett was invalided to England in November, 1916, and returned to Egypt in the following March. From that timo ho was on the committee of tho Y.M.C.A., and is well acquainted with all its doings. In this book he gives a largo number of reports from official records, lectures, etc., in_ illustration of the varied and important activities of the association. The illustrations are remarkably good, especially those which show tho Esbekieh Camp ,and Club, the soldiers' rooms, large swimming bath, skating rink, etc.

"Tho Man Without a Memory." By Arthur W. Marchmont. London: Ward, Lock, and Co. (Cloth, illustrated'; 65.)

This is a thrillingly exciting story. The liero, when he returns on furlough from the _ trenchts, finds that the girl to whom he is engaged is detained in Germany, and, except for a letter saying that she is with a school frieiifj no news has been received of her. Ho immediately determines to go in search of her. He adopts th® name of an American cousin for this purpose. The boat in which ho crosses the Channel stokes a mine, and he is the sole survivor, and is mistaken for another passenger, a German spy named Lassen. This gives him the idea of passing himself off as Lassen, and so getting to Berlin to commence his inquiries for the lost Nessa Caldicott. To do this effectually he pretends that ho has lost his memory. The plan succeeds to a certain extent, and a sei'ies of breathless adventures is inaugurated. Ho is examined by all sorts of officials, and put through every kind of test. He is fortunate enough to find Nessa staying with her kind schoolfellow, and of course most anxious to return home. He _is fortunate enough also to rescue the wife and daughter of an important German official from a street bread riot. This man, though very suspicious of tho hero's bona fides, becomes his friend, and is instrumental in providing a way of escape for him and Nesea. At the last moment they incur the suspicions of a band of travelling officers, but a timely railway accident rescues them from this difficulty. Other adventures follow. Ultimately they reach safety, tut not until they have been obliged to part company. Nessa receives special help, and the hero, making off vvith an aeroplane, is enabled to rejoin her in Holland.

"A Naval Adventuress." By Paul Trent. London : Ward, .Lock, and Co. (Cloth 6s).

Catherine Seymore, living- with, her father in Devonshire, near a email secluded cove, is very anxious to take part in the war. She is instrumental in discovering a submarine base in the cove, but her recldess impetuosity brings this discovery to naught. She is always anxious to help, but is very much undisciplined and does not heed the warnings which are constantly given her. She is, however, a beautiful young woman and has many admirers. on e of these, Stephen Lomax, is a stern critio and is always trying to restrain her impatience and induce her to do as she is told. Another, Geoffrey Allen, is an airman, of some note, whom she twists round her little finger. She induces him to take her in his maehino against orders, and the most thrilling adventure in the book is whero these two, going for a joy-ride, assist in the attack and destruction of a Zeppelin. Of course, Catherine is delighted and sho proves herself a very capable airwoman, but her unofficial presence causes trouble, and both Allen and Lomax very nearly get cashiered. Before this happens, however, Catherine's oompanion is proved to be a German spy, and she is assisted by another spy who lives close at hand. Lomax would have caught these two but for Catherine's interference. In order to regain his good opinion she joins the Naval Secret Service, and, leaving her home, sets out to hunt tho two spies. Here again she blunders, but ultimately succeeds in . compelling the one to commit suicide and tho other to leave England. It is a very thrilling story, and is quite the best thing that Mr Paul Trent has as yet offered to the public.

"Tho Lure of Love." By William LeQueux. j/ondon : Ward, Lock, and Co. (Cloth; illustrated, 65.) '

Tho hero of this book, Percy Chpssington, having frittered away a largo fortune in folly arid dissipation, joins with a friend in an attempt to "break the bank" at Monte Carlo. Bob Keade has "an infallible system," which like all similar systems comes to grief. At first he makes a largo sum of money, then every penny of it is lost, and a great difficulty is experienced in returning to London. Bob now disappears from the story and Percy bethe victim of a band of schemers who induce him to represent himself ai another man, knowing that he can fill the part of a gentleman, which they cannot. At first he thinks little of the deception, but gradually his conscience is awakened.' There is a groat deal of eating and drinking in this book, and it is altogether very characteristic of the author.

'Tho Mud Larks Again." By Lieutenant Crosbie Ganstin ("Patlandor" of Punch). Sydney: Angus and Robertson.

This is a volume of most excellent stories, full of humour and strong character touches. Tho previous volume of "Mud Larks" dwelt principally with life in the lionchos. This one opens with a, oHanffo of front, tho traveller leaving tho "goose feathers" of tho northern clime for the fairy coast of tho Riviera. Humour and fan bubble up in all Lieutenant Garstin's writings, and this book is one of the most charming sot of war stories yet published, and has the secret of all truo humour—a heart throb in tho centre.

"Love-Life: A Sonnet Sequence." By Marieda Batten. Melbourne : Australasian Authors' Agency. Tho collection of sonnets begins with t>e author's wedding day and goes on to describe tho joys of the honeymoon. For six months all is perfect bliss, and then tho gentleman tells her a lie which she finds out. Groat is her grief and loneliness, until at last she makes up ber mind to forgive him. In <fe« course the loving pair are reconciled and delighted: Transcendent joy, unutterable bliss, Floods on us as on our child we 'gazo, And know that hero lies love modo manifest. Life knows no joy which can oomparo with this, Our souls combine, wo enter rapture's ways, Ilis arms around mo, our lxi.by at my 'breast.