I will break away from the usual order of things this month and deal with reviews of current books in the first place. The important subject of the month is Alan Mulgan's first novel, “Spur of Morning.” With all the weight of a judge delivering an important reserved decision I make bold to state that this is one of the most notable novels written by a New Zealander of New Zealand. It might have been a great novel. The literary standard is high, the interest well sustained (I found the story tugging me to return to it whenever I was interrupted in its reading), the character portrayal is strong, the love interest offered with a refreshing mid-Victorian modesty. And the book is sincere. So the necessary ingredients are there, but somehow the mixing is uneven. What lovable characters Mark and Philip are. The women, too, are so refreshingly “unmodern.” The Rugby pictures are thrilling. Our national sport is, with politics, the big motif of the novel.

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One of the most beautiful passages from Galsworthy's great “Forsyte Saga” has been issued in book form by Angus and Robertson, Sydney, under the title of “Indian Summer of a Forsyte.” The pathetically peaceful passing of old Jolyon concludes this perfect fragment from the big work. The production of the book is well up to English standard.

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In title and format, “Gowns by Roberta,” one of A. and R's. latest books, suggests a modern fashion handbook. Actually it is a smart modern novel which moves in the world of fashions. A delightful afternoon's reading, from the pen of Alice Duer Miller.

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Another recent offering from the same Sydney publishing house is “River Crossing,” by William Hatfield, author of “Sheepmates.” It is a full size novel of the great back country of Australia. The two leading characters, the tragically pretty Elice and the devotedly jealous Fen, fight their way through the almost insurmountable difficulties of their early married life in the great outback of the Common-wealth. There is not a dull moment in this thrilling yarn. William Hatfield more than lives up to the big reputation he built up with his earlier novel, “Sheepmates.”

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This country will be grateful to Miss N. E. Coad, M.A., for her interesting and conscientious historical work, “New Zealand from Tasman to Massey,” just published by Harry H. Tombs Ltd., of Wellington. Miss Coad has written other books of the informative type, but nothing so ambitious as this. It is an achievement in condensation to have covered the crowded years, beginning with the arrival of Tasman and concluding with the end of the Great War, in a book of 300 pages.

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Because I announced in a recent issue that a well known New Zealand journalist was busy on a book on the enthralling subject of Beer, I was very interested to lay my hands on “A Book About Beer,” just published by Jona-than

One of Miss Hilda Wiseman's recent book-plate designs.

Cape. I am very disappointed in this book. The subject matter is so inspiring that one naturally looks for an inspiring work. The author is evidently given to drinking flat beer. An annoying inconsistency is in the fact that although the author rails against the snobbery among the world's drinkers that fails to give the King of Drinks its rightful place, he himself remains anonymous in his written enthusings.

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New Zealand writers to whom “Spilt Ink” has given a great service for the last few years, will welcome its appearance in its new linotype dress. Congratulations to its energetic young editor, Noel Hoggard.

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As announced on this page some months ago, “The Story of Australian Art,” by William Moore, is to be published shortly. Probably it will be off the press by the time these notes appear in print. I believe that this is the most ambitious work ever published in Australia. It will consist of two volumes of 700 pages, and will contain 250 illustrations. The author is well known in New Zealand, and is the husband of one of our finest poets, Miss Dora Wilcox.

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With its latest issue, “Art in New Zealand” enters its seventh year of existence. It continues to merit the enthusiastic support of every art and literary enthusiast in this country. Being more of a literary than an art student, I must confess that the letterpress of the quarterly always holds out more interest to me. I doubt if any literary journal in this country has published a more interesting poem than Dr. Beaglehole's “Meditation on Historic Change.” It would provide a fine subject for discussion among our several literary societies. On the art side of this issue there are two fine colour reproductions and a number in black and white. The first award in the book-plate competition is given a full page reproduction. The drawing might make a good jam-tin label, but surely not a book-plate.

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The Thirteen Points to be observed in writing a book are given by Tracy

D. Mygatt in “Julia Newberry's Sketch Book,” published in New York. Here they are for what they are worth:—

When Writing a Book—Observe These Thirteen Points.

Change the scene to avoid monotony.

Don't explain too much.

Decide the period of time the story is to occupy before beginning.

Try to make the very best of your own style, and don't imitate any person whatsoever.

Never describe a person in detail; mention a few salient features and leave the rest to the imagination.

Don't have people always in a good humour, it is unnatural.

Never write about the weather, the seasons of the year, or bore people with dissertations on a spring morning, etc.

Never write anything in disparagement of woman, even if true.

Avoid all slang and Americanisms and bring in as many nationalities as possible.

Make no sweeping assertions!

Try, above all, to individualise your characters, to make them speak and act like men, and not like women.

Let your novel tell its own story, and don't put too much You into it.

Draw all the side characters carefully.

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