LAND AND WATER 
January 23, 191 5 
THE COUNTRY HOUSE LIBRARY 
THE NEAR EAST* 
To all those whose desire for a better understanding 
of the conditions of life in the Near East has been 
whetted by the events of the last two years, this book 
will make a very strong appeal : on the one hand because 
the troubles in that part of the world are not yet over, and 
on the other because the authors tell their tale with great 
frankness and a first-hand knowledge of the country and 
people with which it deals. The value of the work is con- 
siderably enhanced by the inclusion of a brief account of 
Armenian history, culture and characteristics, in which the 
position of Armenians in various parts of the world is dealt with. 
The sickening story of repression and massacre by the 
Turks, so often described in the daily papers, is here retold 
from details furnished by those whose lives had been provi- 
dentially spared from the Turkish sword. That such horrible 
cruelty should be possible in this century is fearful enough 
to contemplate, but when one understands that it is generally 
at the instigation of the Turkish Government in following 
a settled policy, it becomes intolerable. The impoverish- 
ment of the peasantry by the imposition of heavier and heavier 
taxes ; the denial of ordinary justice to them in law ; the 
use made of the Kurds in harassing the poor Armenians 
would alone be a sufficient reason for flight to other countries 
where industry and worth are recognised ; and it cannot 
be wondered at that, as we are told by the authors, over 
7,000 Armenian emigrants crossed the frontier into Russia 
in the first ten months of last year. It is to Russia that the 
Armenians are eagerly looking for succour, and, we are told, 
they have always the contrast before them of Russian and 
Turkish Armenia. They know that Russia, at least, 
provides elementary justice. 
The difficulties in the way of European intervention 
are great, but the obUgations of European civilisation are 
greater, and the following extract, from the chapter headed 
" The Function of the Powers," is of interest. " Even 
Tencophils admit that intervention and European control 
are required. This is a conviction all the more mighty, 
because it is combined with a bias in favour of the Turks. 
To bring about that intervention, through the constitutional 
action of Europe ... is one of the first tasks of diplomacy 
— one of the first duties of civilisation." 
* " Travel and Politics in Armenia." By Noel Buxton, M.P., and 
the Rev. H. Buxton. (Smith, Elder & Co.) 5s. net. 
THE HYPOTHETICAL RIVER* 
NOT even Dr. Cook came in for more criticism over his 
alleged discovery of the North Pole than did Colonel 
Roosevelt over his announcement of a new river, and 
there is yet more than one opinion on the subject of that 
river. But one who settles to the reading of this book may 
forget controversy for a time, for it is a fascinating record of 
travel and adventure, a mine of natural history, written in 
the strenuous style that one might expect from the exponent 
of the strenuous life. The disputed river is but a mere 
incident to the story, and we commend the book to the 
notice of all in search of a really good work on travel in 
general and the South American Continent in particular. 
* " Through the Brazilian Wilderness.' 
(John Murray.) i8s. net. 
By Theodore Roosevelt. 
CHALK STREAMS* 
ONE of the most interesting books that has recently 
been written on chalk stream fishing is the well- 
known Seaforth and Soforth's " Minor Tactics," and we 
welcome the advent of the second edition. Not only does it 
makeinteresting reading to the fisherman who knows all there is 
to be learnt about the chalk stream— if such a lucky individual 
exists — but the book is of the greatest value to those anglers 
who desire to catch trout and find no pleasure in using the 
dry-fly, simply because it is the correct thing to do, on days 
when the floating lure is obviously the correct thing to use. 
Seaforth and Soforth shows how the wet-fly properly employed 
will account for those trout who up to now have been the 
bane of the dry-fly man's existence, viz., the bulger, the 
tailer, and the trout in the glassy glide. In this most 
instructive book he deals in turn with every difficulty the 
chalk stream angler is faced with, and in easy conversational 
English points out the strategy and tactics to be employed. 
Seaforth and Soforth started life as a wet-fly man, was con- 
verted with many others some years ago to the dry-fly cult, and 
since then, by careful study of trout, their habits, and food 
supply, has gradually gone back to his old love again, although 
he admits the superiority of the dry-fly in some conditions. 
There are chapters on fly dressing, hints on the use of the 
rod and landing net, and not the least interesting feature 
is the short treatise on faith as a factor in angling. " Minor 
Tactics " is a book that every fisherman should possess, for 
a careful study of its pages cannot fail to improve his know- 
ledge of fish lore, and incidentally increase the size of his 
baskets. 
• " Minor Tactics of the Chalk Stream." By G. E. M. Skues. 
(Seaforth and Soforth). (Adam and Charles Black, London). 
Price 3s. 6d. 
THE KING OF THE DARK CHAMBER* 
THIS little book is a very welcome addition to the works 
of this author, now so familiar and beloved by the 
reading pubhc, and in every way fulfils expectations, 
and is equal to the best of his others. The theme, which at 
first seems a trifle obscure, develops great beauty and clear- 
ness, and the poetry of the thought and language quite 
reaches the height we have come to expect of this great poet. 
Mr. Tagore always brings to his work an exceptional 
knowledge of the mysteries of life ; and to idlers in letters, as 
well as the student, the revelation brought by his insight 
appeals with great force, partly because of its charm and 
partly because Mr. Tagore has a profound understanding, 
too, of the tendencies of modern thought, and gives his 
interpretations in a manner at the same time practical and 
poetical. We heartily recommend " The King of the Dark 
Chamber " to all lovers of beautiful language and beautiful 
thought. 
• " The King of the Dark Chamber." By Rabindranath Tagore. 
(Macmillan & Co.) 4s. 6d. net. 
STORIES FROM THE EAST* 
A SERIES of short stories which first appeared in The 
Times of India newspaper, and have been translated 
as literally as possible from the original Marathi. The 
author reminds us, as in England the fairy stories are handed 
down from generation to generation, so in the East the old 
nursery tales pass along in exactly the same way. The first 
half-dozen stories explain the connection with the heavenly 
bodies and the days of the week, so that each separate week 
has its own separate tale, of which the children never grow 
weary, for in nurseries Indian as well as English tales are 
loved the better when no longer new and when the end is 
known, and, therefore, better understood by the tiny, round- 
eyed listeners. When we commence our stories with the 
expression " Once upon a time," all the fairy stories here 
narrated take place in " Atpat Town," which literally means 
" The City Splendid," and in tales is simply a fabulous city. 
♦ " Deccan Nursery Tales." By C. A. Kincaid, C.V.O. 
(Macmillan & Co.) 4s. 6d. 
HORSE SALES 
Leicester. — Messrs. Warner, Sheppard & Wade held a sale at 
the repository on Saturday, January 9. Trade was sharp, and some 
good prices were realised, the following being the principal : — 
Gns. Gns. 
Prince John 130 Gadeby IW 
Chestnut gelding 54 Hubert »» 
Chestnut gelding 40 Kilkenny »^ 
Fertilizer II 62 Grey geldint; f> 
Bay Ally 30 Chestnut gelding oo 
Limerick 30 
Various rumours have recently been circulated (the origm of 
which it is impossible at the moment to trace) that liluebell Metal 
Polish, which has such an enormous sale in this country, is not only 
not a British made article, but that it is actually connected with 
German enterprise. Such a statement, if uncontradicted, would 
undoubtedly have the effect of diminishing the popularity and sale 
of this largely used polish. Messrs. Reckitt & Sons, Ltd., of Hull and 
London, the well-known proprietors of Reckitt's Blue, Robin Starch, 
Enameline, etc., are the actual and sole proprietors of the Bluebell 
Metal PoUsh, which is entirely British and always has been, and is 
manufactured solely at their Fulham Works, London, and it is only 
fair to them to make this fact public. The same is true of the popular 
Brasso and Shinio Metal Polishes, both of which are entirely British 
made and owned. 
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