Reviews.

“Strolling Through Scotland,” by W. S. Percy (Collins), should have a big public in this country. Percy is kindly remembered here by a host of admirers from his old J. C. Williamson days. He was one of the best comedians we have had out here. In this book we meet him as a literary rambler, telling us of the beauties, the history and the anecdotes of Scotland, and illustrating his journeys in his own colour and line work. He shows himself to be the best of travelling companions, not over-wearying us with descriptions of the country, but artful enough to sandwich in a host of stories and personalities. Incidentally, this book should be a great advertisement for New Zealand, which the author refers to on numerous occasions with many graceful compliments.

“The Swayne Family,” by Vance Palmer (Angus and Robertson, Sydney), is, from a literary viewpoint, one of the most interesting novels ever written by an Australian about Australia. The author leaves aside the well worn path of stock and station life, and gives us the intimate story of a wealthy Victorian family. Digby Swayne, the central figure, is a dignified, if pathetic, city gentleman, whose great ambition is to leave to his country a legacy in the culture and achievement of his family. Two terrible doubts cloud the peace of his declining years, the fear that his failing health will rob him of the joy of witnessing the achievements, and the dawning realisation that his family is afflicted with “the smear of the second rate.” The pathetic fading out of the health and hopes of poor old Digby, around which is wrapped the grappling with life's destiny, the loves, the disappointments of his children, complete a story one may not quickly forget.

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