READERS' COLUMN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 151, 21 November 1914, Page 6

READERS' COLUMN.

NEW NOVELS. (By James Wortley.) "Wheat and Tares," by Paul Trent, author of "The Vow," "Max Logan," etc. London: Ward, Lock and Co. A perfectly safe book for the most fastidious readers to got hold of. There is nothing from cover to cover to take the least exception to. From a moralist's standpoint the story works out to its appropriate conclusion, in a clear and well-told narrative.

Max Thornton is an exceptionally fine, manly young curate, whoße father deems it right he should see something of the world outside the parish. With this in view, he is given twelve months' leave and five hundred pounds. In the short space of a trans-Atlantic voyage lie meets a certain Colonel S liters and his daughter. The Colonel is a thor-ough-going scoundrel—card sharper, thief, and forger. Nora Salter, knowing no other life but that led by her father, is touched by Thornton's straightforward manner, albeit she is an accomplice in fleecing him. Just upon landing, when he would have otherwise followed up Salter's crime, a cable reaches Max announcing his father's death, and naturally all other plans but a speedy return goes by the board. J A few weeks after, lie is offered a living under the patronage of Lord Lynde. This offers fine opportunities for good to the young clergyman, and ho accepts though surprised at being chosen by an apparently unknown patron. He is further surprised to find, after taking up his duties, that Lord Lynde and the card sharper, Colonel Salter, are one and the same individual. He is about to resign, when Lynde frankly owns up to his wrongdoing, repays the five hundred pounds with interest, and persuades Thornton that he. must stay and help him lead a better life. Lord Lynde is not sincere in his protestations of reform, and a curious set of circumstances work, by Lynde's active help, against the position of Thornton. He appears in a very false and ugly light, which is not assisted by the arrival of the Warrens upon the scene. The Warrens were on the TH.yriii on the fateful trip, and believe Thornton was then, and is now, in league with the notorious Colonel Salter. How he ultimately comes to his own, and secures the love and affection of the finest girl in the world we will leave for the book itself to tell.

*"ln Self Defence," by Silas K. Hocking. London: Ward, Lock and Co. Mr Hocking has been writing, since 1881, and in the book that lies before me, is the best evidence that the hand hath not yet lost its cunning. Like the story of Paul Trents, "In Self Defence" is a straightforward story, with no intricate problem to follow, and no great cause to champion. The heroine is a dear, good girl, typical of the best English folk—a girl wlio, in emergency displays sound judgment and commonsense. The villain of the plot is villain indeed. Sir Robert Tinsley—spurious heir, gambler and rake—deliberately plans to marry Eileen, to rehabilitate the family estates, and to save himself from the clutches of the money-lender. Basil Woodrow, a promising architect, rescues Eileen just as Tinsley has kidnapped her to his house, and is about to force her to marry him. It is all very melodramatic, but well told, and wiil give one a good evening's entertainment.

NOTES. "■'A Clean Heart," by Mr A. S. M. Hutchinson, author of "The Happy Warrior," will be reviewed in the next instalment to thin column. The last number issued—No. 123 of the. People's Books is *"Th« Navy of ToDay," ami is announced as the very latest book on the navy. It gives eightytwo pages, all chock-full of information. To this is added an appendix containing a complete list of all the vessels in the navy, all properly classified, with complete information as to engine and gunpower. The whole is capped with a very complete bibliography of British naval history. It is just the work the busy man wants to give him a bird's-eye view of our first line of defence. The October "Bookman," like every other journal, is full of the war. Practically all the new literature announced deals with some aspect of the war. Many books which under ordinary circumstances would never have been heard of again, are being reprinted in considerable numbers.

Among the new fiction announcements "A Man of Iron," by Richard Dclian, should be particularly welcome. This writer has already proved himself a master in describing military subjects. The ''Campaign Round Liege" (lioddcr and Stoughton), and "The Siege of Liege," by Paul Hamelius (Werner Laurie) arc prompt issues from the press and bring European history very much up-to-date. Dr Hamelius was professor of English literature at Liege University, and an eye witness of the tragic occurrences he relates.

"How Belgium Saved Europe," by Dr Charles Sarolea, the Belgian Co.nsul at Edinburgh, and editor of "Everyman," is announced by Mr Heinemann'to appear shortly. It should give a good account of the magnificent stand the Belgians made from their own standpoint. Their firm front to Belgium certainly gave unready England time to arm. An Australian poet, Mr Arthur H. Adams, puts the attitude of the citizens of Britain to-day, very well when he says: "Then each shall take with stubborn grip His ride, as he took his whip, And when the flags unfurled, The clerk shall drop his futile pen To lift his well-loved lanci—and then A nation fronts the world. 'Books for review from A. S. Brookcr, the iJ.K. Bookshop, Devon street. VOU SHOULD BEAR IX MIND That by using the commercial eucalyptus oil, which is now bought up at fid per lb weight and bottled, and on account of the large profit, pushed, you are exposing yourself to all the dangers to which the use of turpentine will ex pose you—irritation of kidneys, intestinal tracts and mucous membrane. Bv insisting on the GENUINE SANDER'S EUCALYPTI EXTRACT, you not only avoid these pitfalls, but you have a stimulating, safe and effective medicament, tin! result of a special and carcfi'l manufacture. A trial will at once convince. Quality in a small dose d:o----tinguishes it from the bulky and dangerous products. Remember: SANDER'S EXTRACT- embodies the. result of 50 years' experience and of special study, and it does as promised: It heals and cures without injuring the constitution, as the oils on the market frequently do. Therefore protect yourself bv rejecting other brands. SANDER'S EXTRACT possesses curative properties peculiarly its "'vn. it ml "tin lie iißpd with perfect safety internally and externally.