Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 839, 6 December 1929, Page 14

Books Reviewed

THE SECOND PROTECTOR TN the reign of Queen Anne there (lied an old gentleman who, for political reasons, was known by the name of Clarke. He had been born in the reign of James 1., and for a 1 brief period of power had held more l authority than ever the Stuarts them- ■ selves had possessed. He was Richard Cromwell, who had succeeded his father, red-nosed, truculent Oliver Cromwell, as Lord Protector of England. Little has been written of Richard. History books dismiss him with a few lines. M. Guizot once wrote a tome on the second Protectorate, but not very much about the Protector. And yet there is romance lying behind this accession to power undreamed of, to palaces and supreme commands, and to three kingdoms in all but name. That was what Fate had decreed should lie in store for young Richard Cromwell, who romped about the Fen Country near Huntingdon. True, his exit from power was almost as rapid as that of the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey, but he had his moment in the fierce light that beats about thrones. Mr. Alfred Tressider Sheppard—he has written a number of historical romances—while delving into Stuart and Cromwellian archives, some years ago, was seized with the idea of writing a novel with Richard Cromwell as the central figure. There were signs that Richard, though he comes down through the centuries dubbed poltroon, weakling and parcsseux , had many estimable qualities, a capacity for retaining friends and a certain moral courage. Mr. Sheppard has done his task well and in these pages are striking pen pictures of Oliver, his careful wife (who found that living in palaces had its disadvantages), Richard and his prolific Dorothy—the second Lady Protectress—and all the great figures of the Commonwealth. Romance is introduced by the story of Richard’s affection for the faithful Rachel Pengelly, which flourished despite Richard’s marriage of convenience and Rachel’s subsequent matrimonial venture. One feels that the author has not overstepped the bounds of licence allowed those who blend history and romance. Here, at least, is a very adequate portrait of a man whose very position makes him a figure of considerable interest. “Queen Dick.” Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., London and Sydney. Our copy from Mr. W. S. Smart, Sydney representative.

The Poetry of Shipbuilding A new era in the science of yacht architecture dawned when the famous George Watson completed the design of the King’s yacht Britannia. This great racing machine was built on the Clyde in 1893, yet, while 36 years have passed since she sailed her first race off Gravesend, her “hull form” is practically the same as that of her newest contemporaries. The fascinating story of the phenomenal career of the Britannia is told in racy style by Major Heckstall-Smith, secretary of the Y'icht Racing Association, in his latest publication “The Britannia and Her Contemporaries.” The writer, in tracing the trend of yacht design over the past fifty years, recalls that when he was a boy the British idea of a racing yacht was the “plank-on-edge,” the narrowest thing with an immense lead keel. She was covered with a cloud of more or less inefficient sail, but she was slow unless it blew fresh. About the time of the coming of the Britannia it was discovered that a new type of boat could be made to sail very much faster in light winds and to sail almost twice as fast to windward in strong winds. The secret of the discovery was revealed in the Britannia and her contemporaries which were built to skim over the waves and waters and not to plough through them. Britannia has raced consistently since 1803

HISTORIAN - BIOGRAPHER. Mr. Francis Hackett whose “Henry VIII.” has won him praise on both sides of the Atlantic. One English reviewer writes: “In style, Mr. Hackett has the qualities of Flemish tapestry; he gives the sense of fine colour and beautiful patterns. Or the reader may think of the same lovely detail which can be found in a Memling or a Van Eyck picture at Bruges. It is certainly beautiful. But it is not in the least affected, because it so clearly has the sincere intention of explaining the writer’s opinion of historical events. The moral of history is not a matter of cynical indifference to Mr. Hackett, as it apparently is to so many inferior modern biographers. He has a standard of right and wrong; and can be indignant as well as sarcastic. Like all historians who matter, he has a sense of true values.”

I with the exception ot the year IS9S, when the Prince of Wales for whom j she was built, sold her, and again during the war years, when she was laid up. The author deals very fully with the three changes in the sail plan of Britannia, the latest change including the fitting of a Marconi topmast in place of the old socketed topmast, enabling her to set a one-yard topsail. This leads Major Heckstall-Smith to speculate as to whether the King will ever rig Britannia with a Bermudian sail. There is much interesting detail in the book concerning the great races in which such famous racing yachts as the old Satanita, Meteor, Bona, Sybarita, Westward , Cambria, the Shamrocks, Lulworth and others took part, while the descriptions of the epic contests with the American yachts, Navahoe and Vigilant make thrilling reading. it is not generally known that Britannia was twice sold out of the Royal Family but Major Heckstall-Smith relates her history of ownership. She was built for the Prince of Wales (later King Edward) in 1593. She was sold to Mr. J. L. Johnston of London in 1897, and he in turn disposed of her to Mr. M. D. Rucker in the following year. She was later the subject of a mortgage for a considerable amount and was purchased by Mr. Daniel Cooper of Suffolk. He discharged the mortgage and again sold the vessel to the Prince of Wales In May 1899. The Prince raced her and the following year again sold the vessell to Sir Richard Bulkeley, who reduced her to a cruising rig. Sometime in 1902, King Edward again acquired the yacht and she is now registered in the name of King George. Major Heckstall-Smith’s book, should make an irresistible appeal to all deep-water yachtsmen. "The Britannia and Her Contemporaries.” Major Heckstall-Smith. Methuen and Company, Limited, London. Our copy from the publishers. The Escaping Club Among British officers imprisoned in Germany during the war it was a point of honour to escape, or attempt to do so, on every possible occasion. They systematically devised among themselves maps, plans, and a whole code of rules to help those endeavouring to break free, and in pairs or In groups of half a dozen or more they evolved plans of great ingenuity and daring. Several tipies the device known as “the basket trick” was exploited. A man would hide himself in a laundry basket or garbage cart, and be wheeled out of camp by his guards. One courageous pair actually threw out a kind of drawbridge from an upper window of their prison, and from an elevation jumped clear of the wire surrounding the enclosure. Foremost among these conspirators was Medlicott, killed in attempting his tenth escape. Then there -were Grinnell-Milne, Hardy, Buckley, Gilliland, de Goy Moretti, the Frenchman, and Kicq, the Belgian. Lastly, there was A. J. Evans, an R.F.C. pilot who had made a forced landing behind the lines. In “The Escaping Club,” Evans traces his successive attempts to escape, and describes the amazing impudence, almost, of the “Escaping Club” at Fort 9, Ingoldstadt. where the habitual prison-breakers of three nationalities were gathered together. Here, in an intensely strong but apparently somewhat under-manned and certainly weakly officered prisonfortress, 200 prisoners of irrepressible spirit did their best to make the life of their guards a sequence of exasperated misery. There was a definite code about attempts to escape. With fine unselfishness, the whole camp would co-operate in facilitating the escape of only one or two men. Fort 9 was an immensely strong position physically, a wide moat surrounding its heavy ramparts. Evans was concerned twice in attempts to escape across the frozen moat, and once in a proposed flight through a narrowtunnel constructed with immense difficulty through waterlogged soil. Moretti, the Corsican, was a leader in this enterprise, and his was the engineering skill that without instruments plotted the tunnel and revetted its crumbling sides. The conspirators played baccarat to determine the order of precedence among those engaged in the “break.” But all this elaborate planning went for nothing, and it was on a railway journey to a camp farther from the border that Evans and Buckley finally escaped, to reach the Swiss frontier —and freedom—after desperate privations. On re-entering service Evans was transferred to Palestine, and in March, 1918, made a forced descent behind the Turkish lines in company with two Australians. It was not long before he was striking out again for freedom, but the hardships of the desert were too much, and in a pitiable physical state he surrendered again to the Turks. He was still planning more escapes when the Armistice came. In “The Escaping Club,” Evans has set his experiences on paper in the simplest style, but in such a tale the very baldness of the narrative makes for a keener sense of reality. “The Escaping Club,” is consequently a book that rivets the attention, and in its stark simplicity it is a tale of adventure that makes a splendid addition to wartime records.

“Tile Escaping Club,” by Major A. J. Evans. Published by John Lane arid Company, the Bodley Head, London. Our copy from the publishers. “None So Blind ” The wild Scots Highlands have been chosen by Maurice Walsh as the scene of the adventures of that strange Irishman, Hugh Forbes. Mr. Walsh, who gained a following with "The Key Above the Door,” has exploited to the full the main attractions of his former book in this latest work, “The Small Dark Man.” An out-of-doors atmosphere, whimsical humour and well-drawn types are the best features of a sentimental tale. The author has created a situation rather similar to that of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The Lysander and Demetrius, the Hermia and Helena, are all satisfactorily in love, but hesitate, on account of ingenious complications, to recognise the fact. None so blind as those who will not see, and it requires the tactful scheming of a dowager, possibly Mr. Walsh’s best-drawn character, to straighten out the tangle of her romanic children’s love affairs. The tale is a worthy follower of “The Key Above the Door,” and that book called forth a warm letter of appreciation from Sir James Barrie. “The Small Dark Man." Angus and Ttobertson, Ltd., Sydney. Our copy from the publisher.

Wattle and Gum A breath of Australia with its great sunlit spaces, its tall fresh gums, and its fragrant wattle permeates “Sunset Hill,” a new story from the pen of the author who gave us that delightful Australian novel, “The Beehive,” with its well-drawn characters. Elizabeth Powell, who can boast a growing list of admirers, writes with rare charm and not a little power. Her work glows with a sincere love for Australia’s characteristic atmosphere. In addition she possesses a quality of human understanding which imparts rich value to her study of a passionately musical girl on a lonely Australian station who achieves her heart’s desire despite the opposition of a severe and uncomprehending widowed father. For a brief space the Campbells of “The Beehive” are drawn into the picture, the author obviously loth to depart from her first and so successful portrait group, but when the sweeping downs of “Sunset Hill” are sighted, new and fascinating fields, as it were, are entered. The character drawing is sincere and the Loftus family, with its pathetic beginning, commands the reader’s attention. “Sunset Hill,” by Elizabeth Powell. Cornstalk Publishing Company, Sydney. Our copy from Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Down in Texas Back among his favourite people of the South-West and the thrilling life of the Mexican border, Peter B. Kyne is manifestly at home in his latest work, “Jim the Conqueror.” It might almost be described as a compendium of the best of his many diverse efforts. In “Jim the Conqueror” the reader may find the sentiment of “The Valley of the Giants,” the rollicking humour of “The Green Pea Pirates” and the romantic adventure of “Pride of Palomar.” The greater part of the action of the story takes place in the open rages of Southern Texas, where the meeting of two countries and two vastly different peoples has bred a race unlike any other in the world. In this land there are a few men—but only a few—who combine the best in the two peoples, and it is such a one that Mr. Kyne has made his hero. The fierce action of border strife is relieved by discreet humour and a strong “love interest." “Jim the Conqueror.” Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd. Our copy from W. S. Smart, Sydney.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

“Magic Fop Marigold.”—By L. M. Montgomery. A pleasing story. There is much humour in the various members of the “Clan Leslie,” and Marigold’s experiences amongst them. A book that youngsters will appreciate. Our copy from the publishers, Angus and Robertson, 89, Castlereagh Street, Sydney. “Ginger For Pluck.”—By Daniel Hamlin. A book that all boys will enjoy reading, and a refreshing change from some of the material published as “suitable for boys.” An excellent story of Australian life, with a delightful heroine. Cornstalk Publishing Company, Ltd., Sydney. Our copy from Angus and Robertson, Ltd., Sydney. “The Weekly Courier.”—Christmas annual' from Launceston, Tasmania. This is one of the best publications of its kind issued in Australia. Excellent illustrations of Tasmanian beauty spots. W. R. Rolph and Sons, Pty., Ltd., Launceston. “The Maori as a Fisherman, and His Methods.”—A very informative little book, which should be a valuable contribution to the rapidly-growing library dealing with Maori customs. By Tamati R. Poata. 32pp. Te Aroha News Printing and Publishing Co., Ltd., Te Aroha. “The Desolate Star.”—By Robin Hyde. 40pp. Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd. [See article on this page.] “Verses and Essays.” —A neatly-pro-duced little volume of verses and essays by Philip S. E. Hereford. N.Z. Publishing Co., Ltd., Wellington.

LITERARY TALENT

GIRLS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL ANNUAL MAGAZINE

EXCELLENT PUBLICATION There is literary talent to be found in the annual magazine published by the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. In addition, of course, there is the complete and well-written account of the year’s events, but it is the story and verse section which makes the publication such an excellent one. The magazine is admirably compiled and well illustrated with black and white drawings, many of which are quaint and amusing. The editors are to be congratulated on their work and their selection, which has been done with a nice appreciation of literary values. There is a fine tribute to Mr. Allan Wilkie and his company from those who attended his performances at His Majesty’s Theatre, and evidently enjoyed them. The girls of the school have set themselves a very high standard with their annual publication.

BOOKS IN DEMAND AT THE AUCKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

FICTION "PENROD JASHBER," by Booth Tarkington. “ISLE OF ILLUSIONby George Gibbs. “BLACK LAUGHTER," by Llewellyn Poicys. “THE BEAUTIFUL YEARS," by Henry Williamson. “THE FIELD OF MUSTARD," by A. E. Coppard. . “THE ARROW OF GOLD," by J. Conrad. “HARRIET HUME," by Rebecca West. “THESE BARREN LEAVES," by Aldous Huxley. “A MODERN COMEDY,” by John Galsworthy. “THE TALISMAN," by Sir Walter Scott. NON-FICTION ‘‘ONE MAN’S WAR,” by Bert Hall. “IN SEARCH OF SCOTLANDby H. V. Morton. “THE ART OF PAINTING IN PASTEL,” by L. Richmond, and J. Littlejohns. “JOHN GALSWORTHY,” by Leon Schalit. “THE BUCCANEERS,” by A. H. Cooper Pritchard. “THERE WAS A SHIP" by C. Fox Smith. “THE LIFE AND VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN COOK,” by Maurice Thiery, “CEYLON,” by Ashley Gibson. “PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC FINANCE,” by H. Dalton. “EURYDICE OR THE NATURE OF THE OPERA," by Dyneley Hussey.

“Jealousy,” the late Jeanne Eagels’ second all-talking Paramount production, will arrive shortly for New Zealand release. “Jealousy” is a powerful dramatic story of Parisian life.