[BRACKEN AxD Tnistuscows:—By Robert Mackenna. Jobo Mur Mibemarle St, London, 'W. publi It is only when it is discovered that books such as "Bracken and Thistledown" are velng reprinted in 'a cheap edition before they come to our notice in the Far East that realization of one of the penalty of exile from the homeland come to us. The first edition of the book was published in 1923, not at all surprising to note that it was reprinted in 1923 and 1924, and now] has finally proved its success by presentation in a cheap edition. Well, here we are in China, and, sad to relate, the admission is foreed from us that this ig the first occasion upon which Mackenna has come to our notice. Is it because this "Kail-yairder" has so far been confined to is own, his native heath, or, more simply, because in- the toil and bauble of life in the East in recent amy oyg Peq 30u oaty om Sat04 keep pace with the home product-jons? For Mackenna has some half-' dozen books to. his name already, and if they are all "Bracken and "Thistisdown".. then ino Scotsman should be satisfied until he has begged, borrowed or bought copies of all of them. Mac-Kenna is very frankly a disciple of the "Kailyaird" school. He does not, we imaging, aspire to conquer the Cockney, "but will be amply satisfied if 90 per- cent. of his readers hail from his.own country. He writes, simply and. beautifully, that countryside which is vizualised +o all Scotsmen by cne word more [than any other, Drumtochty. There! jean never, in the opinion of Scots-Jmen at least, be too many writers fof plain tales from the hills and valleys of that country, which, as Mr. Baldwin said the other day, feontinues to send out her sons to ithe ends of the earth in search of adventure (and money)—so long as the writers thereof are of even average ability. And Mr. Mackenns possesses undoubtedly a great deal more than average ability and charm in the facile pen-descriptions of the homely, honest people of the soil. His tale of James Burnie, the shoemaker, would probably seem a terrible exaggeration to many except those who realize the silent, dour, obstinate (whatever one likes feall it) nature of the really drawn" Scotsman. The "miser" who had spent his years, ever since [the death of his wife and son, in saving £100 per annum to send to ithe Head of a Scottish University in the interest of deserving Pupils is character more likely than not {taken from life. How many sons fof Scotland in all parts of the world—not "lads 0" pairrs," but merely average, loyal Scotsmen—look back with pride, gratitude and an inde feribable pull at their heart stun the parents who worked so hard and sacrificed so many pleasures that their family might "win" to St. Andrews, Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen University? How many Jerofters on the lone, bleak, bus how well-beloved hills have counted over their hard-earned shillings and pounds to find they were yet short lof the necessary amoun*, and how often have they not been helped out by the kindly "dominie" or neigh-[hours who themselves were concern ed only in the honour of the glen? rt,|"Bracken and Thistledown" wil never take the leading place in Titerature but it un-
Jquestionably must fable mention. receive honour-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.