BOOK NOTICES

New Zealand Tablet, 17 July 1919, Page 35

BOOK NOTICES

The Tarns of a Country Attorney, by Louis J. Walsh. : (Gill and Son, Dublin.) i ” Some months ago we introduced to our readers a fine Irish novel by Mr. . Louis Walsh, and we. hope it has found its way, into their hands by this. We have just head The Yarns of a Co un try Attorney and /we can recommend this book as heartily as we did the last. In; the stories in this volume the author has given us a rare treat. The book is a real picture of rural and village life in the black North of Ireland. The hard, grasping spirit of the Ulster Presbyterians, the insane hatred of Catholics, the grim bargaining, the fierce love of litigation are all portrayed in sketches and stories of intense vividness. Mr. Walsh’s characters are alive. An Irishman feels that they are people whom he has always known. And for those who do not know Ireland the book will bring, an illumination on the nature and ideals of the sour-faced Ulsterites. Mr. Walsh sees the humorous side of their lives and makes the reader see it. The circumvention of Andy McKay who “nivir lost a case I should have won, barrin’ the time I wus dismissed at Newton over the clargy’s cow, and when Gilmore decreed ,me about the praeties,’’ is well told. The auctioneer’s efforts to sell a bad farm by hinting that the Catholic bidder wanted it for a convent, or maybe for the Pope is a revelation of the fun that can be got out of even a thing so sordid as Orange bigotry. There are 11 sketches in the volume and all are good. Crofton’s Daughter, by J. Leckie Herbertson. (Methuen and Co., London.)

ton’s Daughter is the story of the trials of a young girl who was brought up under the influence of a Bohemian father, until after his death a maternal uncle takes her to live with him among people of orthodox views and conventional habits. The character of the orphan girl is well drawn and the psychological interest of the story is maintained at a high level. The book reveals literary powers of no mean order and makes an entertaining novel. State Purchase of the Liquor Trade, by J. Rowntree and A. Sherwell. - (Allen and Unwin, London; Is net.) ; We thank the secretary of the Temperance Legislation League for his courtesy in sending us this useful pamphlet.' Its object is expressed " ini the following, words; “Granted it be impossible liter-ally to make men sober by Act of Parliament, it is not impossible to throw the force of law and, social arrangements upon the side of sobriety, and by-a proper control of the traffic to restrict the inducements to insobriety without unduly or improperly 1 interfering with the legitimate liberty of the individual.’,’ . . The pamphlet is I a sound argument shewing^that this can be done. Missionary Hymns. Words by Evelyn L. Thomas ; music by Annie D. Scott. (London C.T.S; Is 3d ■’ "net.) ..-.v; :• v . r. : We cannot find any improvement on the old hymns in this collection. /4XL Ll. The ‘ Miraculous Birth, by Herbert E. Hall, M.A. (London C.T.S. ; 3d.) A ' ■ Ephpheta. The annual publication of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 'at Waratah, •- is - always interesting ,to those who appreciate the . great work of charity don© by the - Dominican 1 Sisters ! in Hew South Wales./ May it remind all!who receive it to help ! accord-

ing to their means in making life happier for the afflicted children who will 1 never hear the birds singing and never see a sunset or sunrise. 1 ""^?