The Bookfellow.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 299, 16 December 1911, Page 13

The Bookfellow.

[Aix Rights Resebtb.]

By A. O. Stepaema. . ! HIS ARTISTIC »AY. SUBSIIHSING ABX IN BYDKEI. The Minister tot 'Education arranged nig lace to convey an impression of dignity tempered with affability, touched the bell, and told the messenger: •*Xou may show the first deputation in. Harris." Harris showed them. In, with their Parliamentary sponsor. The Minister summed them up as 'he shook bands and smiled slightly, so as not to show his new gold tooth (he hated display): "Not numerous, but nasty." He seated himself In a pose he had seen the Governor take at an Executive Council meeting. "We are .here," said a tall man with spectacles and a thin voice, "on behalf of the Surry Hills Artiste' Association." The Minister looked up. "Aren't yon the Waterloo Actors if There must be some mistake." He touched the bell. "Harris lou've given me the 11-30 deputation.. Where are the gentlemen rot lo.ao?" . . . "In the waiting room, sir. I was going to show them In, sir, when these gentlemen rushed in ahead, sir, and I thought—"We put Art j before everything," explained the tall man briefly. **Oh,," said the Minister. "WeU, as you're here, perhaps " "We represent the Surry Hills Artists Association. As 1 know you are busy, I will not detain you with a lengthy speech. What we want Is that the Government should pay our studio rent, build a' suitable gallery In which we may display our pictures for sale, and purchase, any unsold pictures which the public has not brains enough to purchase." "Are there likely to be many unsold?' asked the Minister tentatively. "Practically all," responded the tall man. "Occasionally we palm one off; but it Is better not to rely upon that. The public Is Ignorant and low. It ia the object or the Surry Hills Artists' Association to teach and elevate, them." "At the Government expense?" asked the Minister. "Naturally; since Art Is a national matter." "May I ask how many members," said the Minister, "your Association has?" "Mr Blobklns, our secretary, will inform you," said the tall man. "How many, Mr Blobklns?" "Five at present," said Mr- Blobklns; "we have had as many as seven." •Then you are all here now?" said the Minister. "We are all here." said Mr Blobklns. "H'm. That would be live studios," mused the Minister. "One gallery. And how many pictures?" _ "We do not think there would be more i than five- hundred in a year." "Only five hundred!" said the Minister. "Surely that Is very moderate.. The Art Society, now, I am told " "The Surry Hills Artists' Association produces only masterpieces," Interrupted the tall man decisively. "I see," said the Minister. "Well, gentlemen, I have to thank you for putting your case so eloquently and effectively before me. I shall be pleased to represent the matter to the Cabinet, and you will hear from me in due course. Good morning"!" The deputation filed out—the tall man pausing to glare at a portrait of Sir Henry Parkes that bnng above the Minister's, desk. "Ha! Wooster! Tripe!" he hissed. The Minister touched the 'bell. "Now, Harris, the 10.30 lot," he said when the messenper appeared. "I think it might 'be better to let them cool a little, sir," said Harris confidentially. "They're very rsmpageons. Making a horrible noise, they are. sir. Reciting their speeches to one another." "All right, Harris: you fix It The 11 o'clock then. Let's see. that's the Poets. Show them in. Plenty of them," he commented sotto voce, as the room filled and others were seen vainly straggling in the doorway. And alond. "WeU, gentlemen, I am pleased to see you, and, as my time Is nnhnppily very fully engaged " "We will come' to the point at once," said a plump poet, detaching himself from the thronar. ' "I am the President of the Society of Poets. These are the Poets." tip waved his hand at the crowd behind him. "I have here"—and,he drew a roll Of manuscript from Ills pocket—"a number j>f jßoeros which aare been refused lnser-

tion—l might say by every newspaper In Australia. These gentlemen have 'similar evidence." ■ He turned .to- the crowd for corroboration, and the 'crowd corroborated by holding up rolls of manuscript. "And even when they print onr poetry they won't pay for it," shouted a very small red man, a duodecimo edition of a poet, elbowing his way to the front. "Tills Is my speak, Wilkins," said the leader. "Mr Minister, ill fares the land, to motor-cars a prey, where wealth accumulates and poets decay. We want the Government to establish a State Poetry Paper, -where all our poems will be printed at a regular tariff of half-a-crown an inch; the title to be pica, and the title and author's name to be counted as part of the poem. We ask for this in the nation's interest, in Australia's interest, Mr Minister. The poet in a golden clime was born, with gpHien stars above, but see him wander Sydney all forlorn, net knowing where to shove." "Shove what?" asked the Minister. "Whatever is in the next line," countered the speaker neatly. "Gentlemen," said the Minister, hastily, stilling -with a gesture an imminent torrent of speech which plainly hung suspended on the lips of the crowd. "I regret that I have another deputation. waiting. I thank yon for putting your case so eloquently and. convincingly before me. I shall represent the'.matter to the Cabinet, and you will hear from me in due course. Good

The deputation crowded out, and the Minister muttered "Narrow squeak that! Harris!" "Yes. sir." "How many more are there?" "Two more, sir." "Well,. I'll have the first lot now. Bring 'em in quick, and stand ready to push 'em out quick, as soon as I tip you the wink. Well, gentlemen?" The gentlemen made no Immediate response. They came in slowly and impressively, and arranged themselves in a careful group, each man in a different attitude. The leader detached himself, took two paces forward, elevated his right arm in an imposing gesture, scowled at the Minister, and uttered these words in a tragic voice: "The quality of mercy is not strained—" "I beg your pardon ?" said the Minister. (Hisses from the deputation; the leader continued unshaken). i "It droppeth as the gentle Jew from. Heaven " "And"—.with another step forward as the Minister involuntarily retreated—"what are j of going to do sor the Southern Cross Thespians' Society?"] iOi- menacing chorus rolled heavily from the rear—"what is he going to dp for the 'Southern Cross Thespians? Society?" "Well," hesitated the Minister, "I didn't —that Is, I hadn't thought." (Brightly) "What does the Southern] Cross Thespians' Society want me to ioYr

"We want a State Theatre," was the i instant response, "with the actors paid by | < the Government, the company selected by the actors, and the plays selected %j the ! company. Shall the dramatic art die be-' cause scoundrelly managers, fouling their ■ : nests with ill-gotten gold, cry "Havoc!" . and let slip the dogs of law when we claim ' out right to a part and a pittance? Lay i, on, Macduff! and cursed be he who first cries •■Hold! Enough, Hamlet!' " The Minister temporised. "But, gentlemen, one State Theatre could not employ all the SouthernSCross Thespians I see be- \ i fore me. What " . j j "A fico for the world and worldlings > base!" shouted the President, Interrupting. "I speak of Australia and golden joys—of a ghost walking—'running—galloping—to the- rescue of Art! Art ! Art! If this Government is too sordid to support more than one -State Theatre, simply let it pay %■■ our salaries and we will support ourselves* • while we wait our .turns to play. Thy • spirit Independence, let me share! Tx>rd i of the " • "Gentlemen," ..Interposed the Minister hurriedly, "I am*sorry that I have another ■ deputation overdue. I thank you fot- the eloquent and logical manner in which you have stated your case, which I shall be • pleased to represent to the Cabinet. You will hear from me in due course." , "Out, out brief candle!" muttered the i President; and, shepherded by Harris, the [deputation found the door.

"Lucky there's only one more," murmured the Minister- "Show 'em in, Harris— Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you?" "We are the Bondi Art-Shark-Fishera' Association," announced a sturdy gentleman in a jersey aEd long boots. "We want the government to give us a 'elping 'and. That so, mates?" he added, turning to a dozen backers who stood uneasily about. "Yes." "Bill's right:" "We want the 'elping 'and." " 'Cause why," continued the emboldened spokesman, "we don't ketch sharks for profit. We ketches 'em for Hart. There' 3 a lot of Hart in ketchiug a shark, because a shark is that hartrul himself, you wouldn't believe! "fain't every bait as'U cook him. So, me and my mat's, wo come 'ere to git the Guvinent suppon. Hart for Hart's Shark, that's our motrer. And seein ,in the papers as all the other hartlsts was after a bit of subsidy, wiy, 'ere we are come along too. We want the Guvment to support the Hart of shark-Ashing, which is a lot more useful than messing about -with a lot of paiat, if y'arsk me or my mates here." "Bill's risht." ."You come down some night, Mister, and see for yourself." "If we ain't hartlsts, who is?" "Gentlemen," said the Minister. "I am more than half agreed with you already. I thank you for stating your case in a manner bo eloquent and couriering. I snal^

represent? the matter to the Cabinet at'its first meeting. And now. If you will excuse me, good morulas!" "Good morning, Mister!" "Ton come down some nlgbt, Mister, ?ud we'll shew j-er." "Sum.'* forget. Mister—Tie Bond! Art-Shark-Fishers' Association." The Minister nt back, and touchoil th bell. "If anybody comes In the auxt li.,:i hoar, Harris, I'm strictly engaged. Get iuu a clean tumbler." And to himself the Minister mu.-ur.irju "Tes. Yes. This Is my artistic Jay.'' HETTEDICTINE FIOSTEEKS. The story of "Benedictine Pioneers in Australia," as told by Dom Norbert Birt, 0.5.8. (Herbert and Daniel; 25/ net), has great personal and religious interest for members of the Romban Catholic Church, and historical interest for Australians. Dr. Ullathorne, Archbishop Polding, Archbishop Vaughan> and others, who in their day gave valuable missionary services to that country, were members of the Benedictine order. It has. been Father Birt's grateful task, with the aid of original documents and letters, to tell the story of their Australian efforts. In a preface the autbrr refers to the late Cardinal Moran's "monumental 'History of the Church in Australia,'" which in some particulars he accuses of an erroneous presentment that amounts almost to a distortion. The distinguished historian also, says Father Birt, has levied freely on the pages of "The Downside Review" for the purpose of his work, but has "omitted, by some strange lapse of memory, to indicate the source .of his information." Here and elsewhere it is apparent that the difference of opinion between the Benedictine brotherhood who founded the Roman Catholic Chnrch to Australia, and the more direct representatives of the Papacy who took over their work at the death of Archbishop Vaughan in 1882, has mot yet been entirely removed. Much light on general Australian history is shed by these two Tolumea. Father Birt says in closing that his task has included the chronicle of success and failure. fThe success is represented by an organised hierarchy and a vigorous churchmanship. The failure is the extinction of the particular institution on which Archbishop Polding had mainly wst his heart—the establishment in the subcontinent of the ancient English Congregation of the Black Monks of St. Benedict." Remains the Spanish Benedictine mission to the aborigines-rNew Nwa», Victoria Plains, Wl-owning 200,000 acres of land, leasing 300,000 acres, and training some 200 blackfellows to an agricultural and pastoral life. A local account of how the monks as bushmen chase brumbies, and from a corner of the stable produce the garment which turns them into monks again* is quoted by our reverend author—together with much other information, about Kew Nursia, where life seems to be active, yet sequestered, useful and happy. Many portraita are added to the volumes WOatXlf AKT> POETS. Mr. Edward Thomas quotes two lines of Donne that we should set as a thesis for ladies attacking the degree of Mistress'of Arts. "Hope not lor mind •■ Women; at their Sweetness an* wit they are, but mummy

The candidate would toe asked to compare: Hone not for mind In women; at their best Sweetness and wit they ore but mummy posaeas'd:, ■ind to my whether or not in her opinion the omission of commas enforces the sense, and why! As subsidiary questions (b) and (c) add without doubt tc an examina.tjon-paper'a air of erudition, there would do a (b) explain "mummy, posaeas'd," and illustrate with reference to Egyptian mythology, suburban history, and American combines. , Here and elsewhere it does not seem) that Mr. Edward Thomas is not as meticulous a* a High Court judge in the morning . (since the junior bar, still not unapt to soothe its little Themis with a meat pie at midday, does iby the mouth of a possibly uninspired oracle affirm that lunch will lower the intellectual height of the loftiest Bench). Nevertheless in "Feminine Influence on the Poets" (Martin Seeker; 10/6 net) Mr. Thomas has written "one of the books with a port-wine flavour that the late John Dawson and other discriminating readers found or find. delightful. John Dawson was a'Sydney solicitor, still affectionately remembered, whose character rose to the- merit of 'his name. The epithets "Good" and "Old" clove to him naturally. When bis'books came to their sad parting, there were some fiftychosen with nice care for midnight medi? tatioh—a lifetime's careful collection in the second-hand shops—lSth century, books full of wit and nature, not too squeamish for the matured manhogd of a limb of the Jaw well grafted on thq tree of knowledge. Mr. Thomas's book is such another; it needs only to be bound an leather in the eolid English Pownceby fashion that second-hand centuries may cherish it. Mr. Thomas writes of the inspiration of poetry from the source of -womanhood. For convenience he classified the channels; then he fills the channels with citation and commentary. He has read his authors and gathered a rich harvest that many a reader may have missed. Continually he is suggestive and seductive. He also affirms women a race apart. They are, in the words of Euripides, "a race well inclined to one another, and most safe in keeping secret matters of common interest" —they are foreigners. This age-old conclusion of men was illuminated for us recently by Bergson's emphasis on the diffierenee between instinct and intuition on the one hand and reason on the other. Instinct creeps along the mental ground; but it goes safely and far. Beacon mounts like Icarus into air, and like Icarus falls in approaching the sun. Sending U3 back to instinct, Bergson simply sends us b.'.ck to woman; and we see that final philosophy has been anticipated by ,a marriage certificate. For Mr. Thomas admits" that worn on are a race apart only in order that men may migrate into their territory. "Sweet," says Asclepiades, "is snow .n summer for one atbirst to drink, ami sweet for sailors after winter to sec; the crown of spring; but most sweet where one cloak hides two lovers, and the praise of love is told by both." Jr* for a Poet, Mr. Thomas thinks that-Tf life is to be granted to his poetry, Che personality of some one woman must pierce him. Light loves can make- on'y light verses. We admire the art with which Mr. Thomas has woven a thousands-felicitous quotations into the text of an argument that it is not necessary always to agreJ with. His book "has four-portraits of noble ladies who were springboards from which four poets turned/ their skilful .somersault*.