SPRING ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Twenty-four Years of Cricket.
By ARTHUR A. LILLEY. With a Portrait in Photogravure and 16 Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 7s. 6d. net.
Surely there is not a better-known cricketer all the world over than Arthur A. Lilley. For the last twenty-four years he has been one of the greatest players the fine old game has ever produced. Popular alike on and off the field, and gifted with a remarkable personality, Arthur Lilley has made such a name in the history of the game that no surprise will be felt at the present book. Indeed, the literature of cricket would be incomplete without it. It would be interesting to know how many games have been turned at the critical stage by the astute judgment and practical ability of England's famous wicket keeper. Arthur Lilley's career has been one long-continued success, and in the breezy pages of his delightful book he tells his fascinating story of great games, great cricketers, and great globe-trotting adventures, with many a good tale in each chapter. "Twenty-four Years of Cricket" also contains the author's advice on cricket, which will be found invaluable by youthful cricketers in every clime. The book is well illustrated and will be one of the most interesting volumes of 1912.
My Irish Year.
By PADRAIC COLUM. With 12 full-page Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 10s. 6d. net.
"My Irish Year" is the third of a series of books which MILLS & BOON initiated with that brilliant study by Miss I. A. R. Wylie, entitled "My German Year." This was followed by another fine volume in Mr. Richard Bagot's "My Italian Year."
"My Irish Year," like the previous books, deals with almost every phase of Irish life. Its author, Mr. Padraic Colum, is one of a band of brilliant Irish writers who are rapidly becoming a force in the literary and dramatic world. Mr. Colum aims at giving his readers a faithful portrait of Irish life, and does not occupy himself with its history, except in so far as it bears directly upon the subject to which he has confined himself. He takes us through the length and breadth of Ireland and introduces us to all phases of its social life from the highest to the lowest. "My Irish Year" is a sympathetic impression of Irish life, and contains much curious information regarding the manners and customs both of town and country life.
A Remarkable Book.
Involution.
By LORD ERNEST HAMILTON. Demy 8vo. 7s. 6d. net.
"Involution" is a book which sets forth in a popular and readable form the most recent views of the scientific and philosophic world as to the great problem of existence. It dwells especially on the remarkable tendency of the moment to favour the once-ridiculed doctrine of vitalism. In pursuing this line of research it goes closely into the question of religion in all its aspects, ancient and modern; Eastern and Western, and while frankly critical of orthodoxy, brings at the same time to light many little-known points with regard to bibliology which cannot fail to change for the better the point of view of many to whom current Christianity is a perplexity.
A Queen's Knight: The Life of Count Axel de Fersen.
By MILDRED CARNEGY, Author of "Kings and Queens of France." With 12 Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 7s. 6d. net.
"A Queen's Knight" is the life-story of Count de Fersen, the devoted friend of Marie Antoinette, and cannot fail to be of interest to the general public. Living as Fersen did in one of the most stirring periods of European history, his story brings before us, the great French Revolution, the American War of Independence, and glimpses of the Swedish Court under that erratic genius, Gustavus III.
Tramps through Tyrol.
By F. W. STODDARD ("Dolomite"). With 20 Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 7s. 6d. net.
St. Clare and her Order: A Story of Seven Centuries.
By THE AUTHOR OF "THE ENCLOSED NUN." With about 20 Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 7s. 6d. net.
The Italians of To-day.
By RICHARD BAGOT, Author of "My Italian Year." Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. net.
Mr. Richard Bagot has been for many years a resident in Italy. This volume deals with Italy in war time and is chiefly a defence of the Italian soldier who has in the author's opinion been seriously maligned. It is certain to create much discussion.
An Actor's Hamlet.
With full notes by LOUIS CALVERT. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. net.
Mr. Louis Calvert's remarkable Shakespearean studies have been universally recognised, and as a producer his work has probably been second to none.
Mr. Louis Calvert has studied the character of Hamlet for over twenty years, and this book is the fruit of his labour. The volume contains the text of "Hamlet," and the play is exhaustively treated with notes which mark the editor as a man of striking originality.
The Enclosed Nun.
Fcap. 8vo. New Edition. Cloth 2s. 6d. net. Paper 1s. net.
Pall Mall Gazette.—"A remarkably beautiful piece of devotional writing."
A Little Girls' Cookery Book.
By C. F. BENTON and MARY F. HODGE. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. net. Paper, 1s. net.
Daily Telegraph.—"A capital idea. Hitherto the manufacture of toffy has represented the limit of nursery art in the direction indicated, but this volume contains excellent recipes for dishes which children will find quite easy to make, and their elders to eat without misgivings. Every father, mother, uncle, and aunt should make a point of presenting their child friends with a copy of this useful and practical book."
MILLS & BOON'S RAMBLES SERIES.
Rambles Around French Châteaux.
By FRANCES M. GOSTLING, Author of "The Bretons at Home." With 5 Illustrations in Colour, 33 from Photographs, and a Map. Crown 8vo. 6s.
Rambles in the Black Forest.
By I. A. R. WYLIE, Author of "My German Year," "Dividing Waters." With 5 Illustrations in Colour and 24 from Photographs. Crown 8vo. 6s.
Rambles with an American in Great Britain.
By CHRISTIAN TEARLE, Author of "Holborn Hill." With 21 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 6s.
Rambles in Irish Ways.
By ROBERT LYND, Author of "Home Life in Ireland." Fully Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 6s.
"Rambles in Irish Ways" is a personal book of travel, a volume of descriptions, conversations, notions, memoirs, mostly concerning the southern half of Ireland. Dublin, Galway (at the time of the races), Cong, Lisdoonvarna, Killorglin (while Puck Fair is going on), Kinsale, Cashel, Kilkenny, Enniscorthy, and Glendalough are among the places in which the author wandered, and about which he has something to say. The book also contains a Donegal chapter.
Rambles in Norway.
By HAROLD SIMPSON. With 8 Illustrations in Colour, and 32 from Photographs. Crown 8vo. 6s.
A ramble through Norway is one of the most delightful ways imaginable of spending a holiday. The most jaded body or the most overworked brain cannot fail to find new health and strength in that land of invigorating air and almost perpetual sunshine. For the sight-seeing traveller it possesses attractions which can hardly be surpassed anywhere, for Norway can boast of a scenery which is unlike that of any other country in the world. In many of its features, it is true, it resembles Switzerland, but it has an advantage over the latter in the fact of its infinite variety. Lake, mountain, fjord, and forest succeed one another with wonderful rapidity, so that the eye is for ever feasting on new beauties. For the rambler in search of rest and quiet it has a peculiar charm, since it abounds in out-of-the-world nooks and peaceful corners, little dream-places in which one may forget for a while the busy world and its cares. Both these classes of traveller have been catered for in the present book—those who desire to follow the beaten track as well as those whose ambition is to linger "far from the madding crowd," and enjoy the wonderful beauties of nature undisturbed.
MILLS & BOON'S COMPANION SERIES.
The Actor's Companion.
By CECIL F. ARMSTRONG, Author of "The Dramatic Author's Companion." With an Introduction by ARTHUR BOURCHIER, M.A. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. net.
This is a companion book to, and is by the author of, "The Dramatic Author's Companion," published in the early part of last year. Its scope is much the same, and whilst having no pretensions to teaching the difficult art of acting, it is hoped that it may contain many practical and useful hints to the young actor. The author, associated as he has been for many years with one of the larger West End theatres, has had exceptionally good opportunities of studying the inner workings of a theatre, the technical requirements of the actor, and the many considerations besides that of mere talent necessary to ensure success on the stage.
Two special chapters, one dealing with Scientific Voice Production, and the other with the Art of Gesture, are contributed by well-known experts. There is a chapter for amateurs.
MILLS & BOON'S SPRING NOVELS.
By the Author of "The Veil"
The Lure.
By E. S. STEVENS, Author of "The Mountain of God." Crown 8vo. 6s.
The lure of adventure, the lure of a strong and unscrupulous personality, and the lure of the Dark Continent, play their parts in this story. Anne, the woman of the book, comes under the influence of all three, to learn at the last that they have only enchained her imagination and not her heart. A great part of this notable novel takes place in the less-known parts of the Soudan, where the main actors in the drama meet and work out their destinies. The background is that vast land of the elephant, the crocodile, and the hippopotamus, where solitary Englishmen are loyally serving their country and civilisation without vainglory or hope of reward. "The Lure" will be one of the most remarkable novels of 1912.
By the Author of "The Rajah's People."
The Daughter of Brahma.
By I. A. R. WYLIE, Author of "Dividing Waters." Crown 8vo. 6s.
In "The Daughter of Brahma" we are transported back to the mysterious atmosphere and brilliant Oriental colourings which marked the author's first novel, "The Rajah's People." But here the complications of race and religion in India are faced from another standpoint—that of the woman. With profound sympathy we follow the wonderful moral and spiritual growth of the daughter of Brahma, whose fate becomes so strangely linked with that of the hero. With an equal interest, moreover, the reader is led step by step through an absorbing plot, in which all the hidden religious and political life of India is revealed in striking colours, until the final crisis is reached. The crisis, indeed, is an intensely dramatic and tragic one; but it satisfies not only by its truth, but by the promise of future happiness which it brings with it. The story draws into it many minor characters, who, like the two chief figures, win both interest and sympathy by their originality and lifelike portraiture.
By the Author of "Sheaves."
The Room in the Tower.
By E. F. BENSON. Crown 8vo. 6s.
These stories have been written in the hope of giving some pleasant qualms to their reader, so that, if by chance, anyone may be occupying a leisure half-hour before he goes to bed in their perusal at home when the house is still, he may perhaps cast an occasional glance into the corners and dark places of the room where he sits, to make sure that nothing unusual lurks in the shadow. For this is the avowed object of ghost-stories and such tales as deal with the dim unseen forces which occasionally and perturbingly make themselves manifest. The author therefore fervently wishes his readers a few uncomfortable moments.
By the Author of "The Sword Maker."
The Palace of Logs.
By ROBERT BARR. Crown 8vo. 6s.
A fine romantic novel of Canadian life.
By the Author of "Down Our Street"
A Bachelor's Comedy.
By J. E. BUCKROSE. Crown 8vo. 6s.
An entrancing new novel of provincial life.
The Frontier.
By MAURICE LEBLANC, Author of "813," "Arsène Lupin." Crown 8vo. 6s.
Readers all over the world have been enchanted with the fascinating adventures of that dashing adventurer "Arsène Lupin," and its author, M. Maurice Leblanc, is probably known in every country where books are sold, translated and produced. In "The Frontier," Maurice Leblanc has treated a remarkable present-day study of war. It will interest thousands of readers by reason of its clever character-drawing and the special interest in the position of France and Germany of to-day.
When God Laughs.
By JACK LONDON, Author of "White Fang." Crown 8vo. 6s.
A volume of stories.
Ashes of Incense.
By the AUTHOR OF "MASTERING FLAME." Crown 8vo. 6s.
"Ashes of Incense" is a brilliant novel of modern life. "Mastering Flame" was one of the great successes of last year, and the new novel is certain to repeat that success.
The Battle.
From the French of CLAUDE FARRÈRE. Translated by E. DE CLAREMONT TONNÈRE. With 9 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 6s.
"The Battle" is an extraordinarily fine novel of Japanese life and the period the time of the Japanese-Russian war. Published in France about two years ago, it has during this period run through the remarkable sale of half a million copies. "The Battle" has for its chief characters a Japanese commander, a brilliant young English naval officer, a Frenchman of original talent, and a Japanese heroine. It might be called a novel of intrigue. There is one chapter in the book describing a battle which took place during the recent war that is told with such remarkable distinction that the reader will not find it easy to forget. "The Battle" is undoubtedly one of the best books MILLS & BOON will publish during 1912.
The Written Law.
By FRANCES G. KNOWLES-FOSTER, Author of "Jehanne of the Golden Lips." Crown 8vo. 6s.
There was published nearly two years ago a remarkable first novel, entitled "Jehanne of the Golden Lips," which won praise and distinction in one bound. In "The Written Law" Miss Frances-Knowles Foster has written a modern novel dealing chiefly with Burmese life. It is a powerful and dramatic story of intense interest, and it clearly stamps its author as one who has to be counted in the fiction writers of the moment.
Nights and Days.
By MAUDE ANNESLEY, Author of "All Awry." Crown 8vo. 6s.
A volume of stories.
The Thornbush near the Door.
By SOPHIE COLE, Author of "A Wardour Street Idyll." Crown 8vo. 6s.
Sons of State.
By WINIFRED GRAHAM, Author of "Mary." Crown 8vo. 6s.
The Girl with the Blue Eyes.
By LADY TROUBRIDGE, Author of "Body and Soul." Crown 8vo. 6s.
Enter Bridget.
By THOMAS COBB, Author of "The Choice of Theodora." Crown 8vo. 6s.
The Prince and Betty.
By P. G. WODEHOUSE, Author of "Love Among the Chickens," Crown 8vo. 6s.
The Silver Medallion.
By PERCY J. BREBNER, Author of "A Gentleman of Virginia." Crown 8vo. 6s.
Men and Dreams.
By MARY E. MANN. Crown 8vo. 6s.
A volume of stories.
Ruth of the Rowldrich.
By MRS. STANLEY WRENCH, Author of "Burnt Wings." Crown 8vo. 6s.
The book hovers irresolute between Arcady and Alsatia, for it is a story of a woman divided between her love of the country with the folk to whom she belongs, and the fascination of the "life literary" into which she is drawn. The call of London and the spell wielded by the countryside alternate, and our heroine, Ruth, is a very woman, swayed by impulse at whiles, so that whilst we are certain in one chapter that the witchery of the Rowldrich country will claim her, in the next we know that "the street of adventure" has for her a magic all its own.
Wallace Benham, the Bohemian painter, fans the restless spirit in her, encourages her literary tendencies, and flatters her vanity, so that, leaving David her faithful lover behind, Ruth comes up to the great city, and we get glimpses of Fleet Street life, peeps at literary Bohemia, with here and there shy returnings to the Rowldrich and its spell. Very soon a dual struggle begins. Ruth finds comrades amongst the men with whom she works ... there are some who would fain be lovers, and there is one man, a Robert Forbes, to whom Ruth is strongly attached, and possibly were he free Ruth's story would have another ending. How his destiny is mingled with hers, with that of Essie her half-sister, and with Benham the painter, would be too long to relate here; so, too, Ruth's alternating fits of despair and hope over the books she writes. It is not until the last chapter that we can be sure whether Love or Ambition will claim her, and it would not be fair to give away the secret here, though it may be safe to say the book ends with a happy note.
His First Offence.
By J. STORER CLOUSTON, Author of "The Prodigal Father, "The Peer's Progress." Crown 8vo. 6s.
"His First Offence" is a new, laughter-making novel by the author of "The Lunatic at Large" and "The Prodigal Father," two of the most popular humorous stories that have ever been published. "His First Offence" deals with a farcical situation in the shape of a detective story, which from first to last is written with extraordinary high spirits and delightful humour. "His First Offence" should be read by all who like hearty laughter, and is a certain cure for the blues.
The Mark.
By MRS. PHILIP CHAMPION DE CRESPIGNY, Author of "The Valley of Achor." Crown 8vo. 6s.
The Prelude to Adventure.
By HUGH WALPOLE, Author of "Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill." Crown 8vo. 6s.
The Prince.
By THOMAS METCALFE (late the Leinster Regiment Royal Canadians). Crown 8vo. 6s.
The Author, writing to his publishers, says:
"Reading it over, it seems a strange work for these days, when almost every novelist poses as a professor in ethics and the claim is made that the novel should become the public's Bible. It is because my view is so utterly opposed to this tendency; because I believe that the showman's booth is still possessed of more attraction for the many, than the village institute, with its lecturer; that I have deliberately written such a work, and so venture to test my theory.
"If there be any signs of problems in the book (and I am not aware that there are) they are no more than bare figures, drawn in tears and lettered with laughter upon the great universal blackboard, before which we poor schoolboys stand, hopeless as ever of finding solutions.... The work, after all, is but the outcome of the varied jumble of a life of some few sorrows and many great joys!"
Stories Without Tears.
By BARRY PAIN. Crown 8vo. 6s.
Aliens Near of Kin.
By N. VERNON. Crown 8vo. 6s.
"Aliens Near of Kin" is a charming story of Austrian life, and a first novel by a youthful author of decided promise. It has charm and simplicity, and can be cordially recommended.
MILLS & BOON'S SHILLING NET NOVELS.
New Volumes.
The Sins of the Children. HORACE W. C. NEWTE
The Rajah's People. I. A. R. WYLIE
The Peer's Progress. J. STORER CLOUSTON
The Love Story of a Mormon. WINIFRED GRAHAM
Down our Street. J. E. BUCKROSE
Body and Soul. LADY TROUBRIDGE
The Mountain of God. E. S. STEVENS
Dividing Waters. I. A. R. WYLIE
The Needlewoman. WINIFRED GRAHAM
Letters of a Modern Golfer to His Grandfather. HENRY LEACH