Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 2.djvu/486

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. n. DM. 9. wie.

subjects of which the interest is permanent and intrinsic, and not merely relative to the present situation. The first is a description, by Mr. W. F. Bailey and Jean V. Bates, of the Rumanian Danube. We have already enjoyed several of Mr. Bailey's sketches of scenes and peoples of the Near East and admired the combination in them of breadth and " go," with a vivid appreciation of detail and delicacy of choice in the words and phrases with which the pictures are touched in. This Rumanian Danube, save that perhaps it lingers a little, is as well done and charming as any. The second of the two articles is Mr. J. A. R. Marriott's study of ' The Troublesome Reign of King John,' as given us by Shakespeare. This is the second member of a series, which is certainly interesting and suggestive.

SIR PHILIP MAGNUS, in the December Nineteenth Century, having some suggestions and reflections -to make about education, has incorporated them in a study of Emerson's views on that subject. Emerson's limitations are well known and have often been pointed out, but, allowing for these and remembering he is a counsellor for the beginnings rather than the middles and ends of things, we certainly think that those who are engaged in the scheming of reconstruction might do worse than renew their acquaintance with his sane and hopeful individualism. This article has some- thing to say about thinking, and something to say about manners : but Sir Philip does not quote the shrewd saying in which Emerson hits out a connexion between the two : " We are awkward for want of thought." Mr. H. M. Paull's paper on ' The Personal Element in Fiction ' seems entirely to ignore the fact that fiction is primarily " story- telling." The intrusions of the writer's personality which he complains of are tantamount to an admission that reading is after all but a pis aUer ; the ideal unattainable is actual speech. Miss Constance E. Maud gives a good account of Miss Agnes Weston's work which would have been yet better if there had been no side-glances of reproach towards the authorities in such matters who have omitted to decorate Miss Weston, as they omitted to decorate Florence Nightingale. Petty Officer H. J. G. Merrin, R.N., gives a most spirited account of the first German raid on England that on Lowestoft on Nov. 2, 1914. Sir Charles Waldstein contributes a thoughtful and well-informed paper on ' The Social Gulf between England and Germany,' in which he comes near to striking out a good definition or, perhaps, we might call it sub-definition of a gentleman as a man " not naturally pre-occupied in his attitude towards his fellow-men." The other articles deal with current problems ; we can but say that they are by writers of weight, and deserve, as they will probably receive, careful attention.

No better number of The Cornhill than this for December has come into our hands. There is hardly a weak page in the whole of it. It begins with the second part of ' Flyleaves ; or, Tales of a Flying Patrol a narrative of fighting, a de- scription of scenes, experiences and risks when flying, which is even better than the first part. The account of the last battle, in which the patrol came down in a burning machine only just in time, leaves the reader so breathless that it is only after reflection that he realizes how good it is, merely as a piece of vivid writing. Next in order

comes a singular and most charming story, on- titled ' Charalampia,' by Mr. John Meade Falkner a story of the Christian East in the sixth cen- tury, which might be a Byzantine jewel. Sir Sidney Lee's paper on the Anzacs in London is not only entertaining, but calculated to set one musing. " What was he beheaded for ? " askcil one of them about Charles I. ; and the question illustrates the Anzac's serene unconsciousness of history, so curiously combined with his pride of patriotism. ' The Children of Egypt ' is a de- lightful study of the Egyptian peasant and minor official, pointed by quotations from letters and by the telling of yarns which, if we had not Mr. Weigall to vouch for them, would, some of them, seem too good to be true. Mr. Boyd Cable sketches for us ' The Old Contemptibles ' again this time ' In Rest.' A short and spirited hunting story 'A Rogae Bison' is contributed by Mr. Edwin L. Arnold. Mr. Bennet Copplestone has done a good and lively piece of work in ' How the Sydney met the Emdeu ' and it is worth noting that it includes a chart of the running made by the two ships during the action, worked out together by Capt. Glossop and Capt. von Miiller. Lieut. E. Hilton Young's poem ' Sunset at Sea ' is stately and moving. Again, a good paper a thrilling subject vigorously handled is Mr. Lewis R. Freeman's ' The Passing of a Zeppelin.' Finally, we have a somewhat long drawn out but very sympathetic and human character-sketch called ' The White Hart,' from the pen of S. G. Tallentyre. Certainly a collec- tion of good things on which the Editor is to be congratulated.

WE have to announce with very great regret the death of our valuable contributor, MR. WILLIAM H. PEET. An obituary notice will appear in our next issue.

WE learn that our correspondent MB. A. L. HUMPHREYS is issuing immediately a work embodying material which he has been collecting for many years. This is ' A Handbook to County Bibliography 'a bibliography of bibliographies. Besides well-known books it includes notes of items in the Transactions of local Archrcological Societies, and in county manuscript collections ; particulars concerning local typography and journalism, as well as ballads and chapbooks and the like. ' We note that a volume on Calendars and Indexes of Wills is promised later on.

The Athenceum now appearing monthly, arrange- ments have been made whereby advertisements of posts vacant and wanted, which it is desired to publish weekly, may appear in the intervening weeks in ' N. & Q.'

to Correspstttonts.

ON all communications must be written the nanvj and address of the sender, not necessarily for pub- i cation, but as a guarantee of good faith.

REV. H. A. HARRIS, SIR H. A. PITMAN, MR. J. E. NORCROSS, and MR. C. J. S. STOCKER. Forwarded.

CORRIGENDA. Ante, p. 452, col. 1, 1. 28, for "chayrem, a hook" read chakko. P. 453, col. 1. 11. 14, 15, for "Rabbi Hoonah" read Rav ffoonah.