This is a jeu d"esprit, a political skit which pokes fun pretty evenly at all parties, especially at so-called democratic representation as exemplified by a parliamentary election conducted largely by the cynical wiles of the election agent.
The Candidate (a Conservative), who tells the story in the first person, meets all the local elite and has patiently to listen to crusted Toryism; he gets heavy orthodox support from the Bishop and the Church, and is involved in expensive experiences in competing in philanthropy with the Liberal candidate. He finds it necessary to take elocution lessons; eventually, after incredible exertions, he gets in by five votes--but this is only part of an extravaganza which has the great merit of being founded largely on fact and the observation of a political expert who is also a master of irony.
Pirates of the Spring: A Novel. By FORREST REID. Crown 8vo, cloth.
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Mr. Forrest Reid is one of those careful craftsmen who are not convinced of the absolute necessity of producing one or two full-length novels every year. Mr. Reid has always an interesting story to tell, and he is a master of style, tender and sensitive, yet powerfully effective.
"Pirates of the Spring" is a fine example of Mr. Reid"s work which will certainly enhance his literary reputation amongst discriminating readers who appreciate a good story well told.
By Strange Paths: A Novel. By ANNIE M. P. SMITHSON. Crown 8vo, cloth.
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Miss Smithson"s former novel, "Her Irish Heritage," achieved a success seldom accorded to first ventures, and "By Strange Paths" is certain to be equally popular. Miss Smithson is a nurse by profession, and her pictures of the unseen side of hospital life are drawn with the sure touch of knowledge and experience. Her characters are familiar because they are real, and the human notes of gladness and sadness run through the story as "a melody in tune."
Tales That Were Told. By SEUMAS MACMa.n.u.s. Crown 8vo, cloth.
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These are stories that are truly different real Irish folk tales, with the scent of the turf smoke still on them, and qualities of humanness, fancy and humour which make them of irresistible appeal. A delightful book for young and old, written with that touch of genius which brought a poor Donegal schoolmaster into the front rank of Irish authors.
The Whale and the Gra.s.shopper. By SEUMAS J. O"BRIEN. With frontispiece and cover design by JOHN KEATINGS, A.R.H.A. Crown 8vo, cloth.
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A curious t.i.tle of a curious book of curious stories that a curious reader will simply revel in.
Mr. Seumas...o...b..ien is one of the younger school of Irish writers who has taken American readers by storm, and this unique collection of short stories comes to us by way of Boston and Dublin. Regarding the stories, the "Boston Transcript" says:--
"One new short stories writer has appeared this year whose published stories open a new field to fiction and have a human richness of feeling and imagination rare in our sophisticated literature. In Seumas...o...b..ien I believe that America has found a new humorist of popular sympathies, a rare observer and philosopher whose very absurdities have a persuasive philosophy of their own."
_FIRST POPULAR EDITION._
GREATHEART
By ETHEL M. DELL.
Crown 8vo, cloth. With a Striking Picture Wrapper, printed in three colours. (Fifth Impression.)
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"We think Miss Dell"s many admirers will consider her present novel the best she has written."--PALL MALL GAZETTE.
"Miss Dell"s huge circle of admirers will revel in this latest example of her skill in incident and plot. It goes with an unfaltering swing from start to finish."--SHEFFIELD TELEGRAPH.
"The novel is full of tense situations and highly wrought emotions.
Whoever begins it will not put it down until it is finished."--THE SCOTSMAN.
A NEW POPULAR EDITION OF THE SEQUEL TO "THE SHULAMITE."
THE WOMAN DEBORAH By ALICE AND CLAUDE ASKEW.
New Impression, Re-set. Crown 8vo, cloth, with a Striking Picture Wrapper, printed in three colours.
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Alice and Claude Askew"s South African Novel, "The Shulamite," is one of the most popular of successful novels. The sequel, "The Woman Deborah"--an equally striking piece of work--has long been un.o.btainable.
This new impression will find many new readers for both books.
Town Planning in Practice: An Introduction to the Art of Designing Cities and Suburbs. By RAYMOND UNWIN. With many Ill.u.s.trations, Maps and Plans. Crown 4to, cloth. (Sixth Impression.)
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"Few men in England have had so much experience of town-planning as Mr.
Unwin has had.... His is the first English handbook on the subject....
It is not too technical for the general reader, and it deserves a wide public."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN.
The Evolution of Modern Germany. New and revised edition. By W.
HARb.u.t.t DAWSON. Demy 8vo, cloth.
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"A book so well known needs no recommendation, and those who have the earlier edition will a.s.suredly desire to get the new one. It is essential as a work of reference."--THE NEW WORLD.
Richard Cobden: The International Man. By J. A. HOBSON. With a Photogravure Frontispiece, and 8 other Ill.u.s.trations. Demy 8vo, cloth. (Second Impression.)
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"Mr. Hobson has produced one of those rare books which it is difficult to read through, because they are too interesting. It continually lures one into reflection; one puts it down on one"s knees and wanders away straight out of the text down some pleasant (and sometimes unpleasant) path of speculation.... Almost every page testifies to Cobden"s soundness of judgment in the sphere of international policy."--NEW STATESMAN.
Tropic Days. By E. J. BANFIELD, Author of "The Confessions of a Beachcombe," etc. With Ill.u.s.trations. Demy 8vo, cloth. (Second Impression.)
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"The plant and bird life of a tiny Pacific island are described with care and charm, and in a number of revealing chapters the characters and habits of the very primitive natives who are Mr. Banfield"s neighbours are explained. To the naturalist the abundant ill.u.s.trations of rare growths will be a treasure."--THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN.