Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 543, 21 December 1928, Page 14

Books Reviewed

Science Explains The meaning of the term “science” is being extended constantly to keep pace with the world’s advance in knowledge and research. In the 17th century it referred chiefly to practical arts such as fencing, boxing and “the new learning’’ which, broadly speaking, embraced all discoveries made by logical deductions from observed facts. To-day, "science" is regarded as consisting of a number of single and separate sciences and, as time goes on. these are being sorted and classified Into more numerous but equally dis-

tinct subjects. Thus pnysics which meant originally the “phenomena of nature,” has been restricted to inorganic nature and divided into pure physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology and the like. Later has come biology and psychology. The study of psychology as a science Is hampered at the outset by the difficulty of associating the mental with the material. One Is obliged to attempt the reduction of observations, mental experiences and feelings to terms of logical fact, but the gulf is a formidable one. To the assistance of the lay reader, the student, and even the skilled psychologist comes H. P. Wild, of the Cornell University, with his “Psychology as Science—lts Problems and Points of View.” Besides being a work of decided interest to seekers In the comparatively new and limitless field of mental research, this volume will be welcome because it bridges a gap between the cold realities of science and the surmises of psychology. Mr. Wild does not pretend to startle or Intrigue us with new psychological theories or deductions; rather does he outline and present the evidence and various theories of modern psychology with a view to demonstrating their scientific basis and various strongholds of fact. Animal, abnormal, individual, social and applied psychology (psychotechnology) are each given treatment in correct sequence, the student being led from fact to fact and surmise to certainty in logical stages. The reader will find the wealth of supplementary references grouped with each chapter a valuable and thoughtful addition to a volume that Is both an exhaustive treatise and an informative review. "Psychology as Science.” Metluien and Co., Ltd., London. Our copy from the publishers. The World’s Bac,. Ooors. Some little time ago a young Australian reporter shipped on a Swedish tramp-steamer, as a cabin-boy. He had five shillings in his pockets. A year later he disembarked, at Melbourne, from a P. and O. steamer on which he had worked his passage from England. Then he had £l7 10/- In his pockets. In the meantime he had travelled 66,000 miles. He had worked his way across, and about, North America, about the Gulf of Mexico, around the Mediterranean, and in other places, in diversified capacities, one of which was as a guard over Chinese immigrants. As a sailor and a hobo he saw the frowsiest sides of big seaports and cities. Realism! He has written the tale of his w anderings in a direct and expressive way w'ithout wasting words, and has given it the very appropriate title, “The World's Back Doors.” The hook makes its first appearance in the popular “Travellers’ Library.” Read it! “The World’s Back Doors.” Max Murray . Introduction by Hector Bolitho. Jonathan Cape, London. E. M. Barrington’s Latest. “The affair of the Diamond Necklace,” as historians are wont to label it, has inspired another novel. This time it is that most able writer of historical romances, Mrs Barrington, who has elaborated “the strangest true story in the world” —the story of a

E. M. BARRINGTON. diamond necklace “that wrought a Queen’s ruin, and the end of an era.” Mrs Barrington’s account of that episode in the tragic reign of Marie Antoinette, Austrian princess, who became Queen of France, and Louis XVI., the King who was more honest tradesman than courtier, ends when the shadow' of revolution is darkening the Empire. “The Empress of Hearts” is an admirable piece of writing, in line with the romantic biographies that have preceded it. It Is a reconstruction in Mrs Barrington’s most vigorous style, entertaining as a novel w'hile it refreshes one’s memory of facts half-forgotten. “The Empress of Hearts.” E. Barrington. George G. Harrap and Co. Our copy from Robertson and_ Mullens, Ltd., Melbourne. A Story of Australian School Life Pranks flourish wherever boys are gathered together.. “Dogsnose,” by J. H. M. Abbott, is a school tale full of those incidents and plottings which delighted other generations when the scenes were laid in England. Here is something similar in a new setting, a story of school life in Australia. “Dogsnose,” by J. H. M. Abbott. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. “The Wraggle-taggle Gipsies O” It is almost tragic to think that mechanics and speedy transport are robbing us of the glamour of the circus. The old-fashioned caravans, and the gipsy folk who went with them, not so very long ago, appeared to be a permanent institution. Rumbling along the roads between towns, only taking to trains to cover long distances or rough country, they made periodic glamorous appearances even in this new land. In the older world, for generations, they held the countryside in thrall. Their popular appeal was unchallenged, and the denizens of the vaulted canvas took rich tribute in coin legally gained and in kind illegally collected from orchard and fowl run. It is in atmosphere such as this that E. Temple Thurston has spun a charming tale of the “Wraggletaggle Gipsies O.” There is the pathetic battle of the old circus boss to hold his own with fortunes ebbing before a changing public taste. Rebels there are, too. among the poorlypaid staff. Amid the low-dow'n intriguing and brawling romance, beauty and strange loyalties shine undimmed. A defiant red-haired grand-

daughter deserts the acetylene flares ] for the more brilliant blaze of the foot- ! lights. Mr. Thurston paints the | garish sawdust ring, the sordid living i quarters, and the quiet beauty of the | countryside with equal skill. His I people are very real people. As a ! record of human endeavour and cour- ! age, the book is more than a rather ; fascinating story. “The Goose-feather ‘ Bed,” by E. j Temple Thurston G. P. Putnam and j Sons, Ltd.. 24 Bedford Street, Strand, London, W.C. “The Great Chemists” A comprehensive little history of chemistry has been woven round the lives of its greatest exponents by E. J. Holm.vard. The story of chemistry is traced to its birth in Egypt—where the study of gold prompted the first, chemical inquiries—and its development is followed down to modern times. The first of the biographical sketches is that of the great Arab chemist Geber; the last, of the Englishman Sir William Ramsay. The human interest is kept well in the foreground and many amusing sidelights on the domestic life of the old alchemists make the book most readable. Modern chemical theory is expounded simply and clearly In the biographies of the la.ter chemists. This is a work that can be read with pleasure for its general interest apart from its historical and scientific aspects. “The Great Chemists." Methuen and Co., Ltd., London. Our copy from the publishers. A Primrose Book Here is a pretty novel for those who seek, in this hey-day of literary frankness and sophistication, a story that has all the delicacy and placidity of the Victorian era. “The Three Flames,” by Jane Primrose, is a simple tale of English folk. Triplet girls come to the Flayme family, which has been blessed already with twin boys, and tlie chapters are devoted to their lives and wooings. Two noteworthy characters are an amorous butcher and a curate who confesses to a fondness for buttermilk. The work is a safe and suitable New Year present for the most retiring species of what our American cousins call the “sub-deb.” “The Three Flames.” Cornstalk Publishing Company. Our copy from Angus and Robertson, Sydney. On the Indian Frontier Boys, and many older boys, will find “The Lion’s Cub” to be one of those first-class tales in which adventure and chivalry still find a place in the 20th century. It Is a story of fighting on the Indian frontier, where courage, discipline and skill with the rifle play their part in keeping India a safe place for traders and the peaceful toiling millions. It Is written by a pukka soldier, too. “The Lion’s Cub.” by Major George Bunce. Angus and Robertson, . Ltd., Sydneys BOOKS IN DEMAND AT THE AUCKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY FICTION “THE SILVER THORN," by Hugh Walpole. “WHAT IS LOVEV’ by E. M. Delafield. “VANITY UNDER THE SUN," by Dale Collins. “THE ROAD TO THE TEMPLE,” by Susan Glaspell. “MOTHER, AND SON" by Romain Rolland. • “THE GATE MARKED PRIVATE," by Ethel M. Dell. “INSPECTOR FRENCH'S CASE BOOK," by F. W. Crofts. “THE RIDDLEby Walter De La Mare. “SHORT STORIES ,” by Morley Roberts. “MASQUERADERS,” by G. Heyer. NON-FICTION “DICKENS,” by Ralph Straus. “BUILDERS AND PIONEERS OF AUSTRALIAby A. Jose . “THE ART OF LETTERS ,” by Robert Lynd. “SHIPMATESby Felix Itiesenberg. “THEIR MAJESTIES OF SCOTLAND,” by E. Thornton Cook. “PETER PAN,” by J. M. Barrie. “MANY MINDS.” by Maurice Hutton. “CARLYLE, HIS RISE AND FALL,” by Norwood Young. “THE ROMANCE OF MODERN TRAVEL ,” by N. T. Davidson. “A SURVEY OF MODERNIST POETRY ,” by Laura Ridings and Robert Graves.