BRET HARTE'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 135, 10 June 1927, Page 10

BRET HARTE'S WORK.

SOME PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS

Hret Harte's work was selected for reading and discussion at the June meeting of the literary section of the League of New Zealand Penwomen on Tuesday. Mrs. Mary Stuart Boyd, president of the league, gave an address, or rather, a series of personal recollections of the well-loved author, that proved delightfully interesting and served as a link that brought his personality into closer touch witli many of his leader.-, of the present generation.

Mrs. Boyd and her family were close and dear friends of Bret Hurtc and a community of interests and tastes brought them into .constant companionship. Of Rret Harte's wide sympathies, his tact and courtesy, his keen understanding and appreciation of the work of others, Mrs. Boyd spoke in glowing terms. Their first meeting with the eminent American was during his appointment as American Consul at Glasgow. The author's distinguished appearance, his white hair, black moustache and eyebrows, and tall, erect figure caused quite a flutter, but he greatly disliked "lionising" and whenever possible evaded functions arranged with such an end in view. Xeverthcless he possessed many loyal and devoted friends, at whose homes he occasionally visited. Among them was the Duke of St. Albans, Froude, the historian, a charming family named Van der Velde and others. Bret Harte also visited the Scottish home of Sir Charles Tennant, father of the Countess of Oxford and Asquith (then Margot, Tennant).

Mr. Boyd was first brought into contaet with Bret Harte when he was commissioned by one of the leading newspapers to make a sketch of the author. From that moment arose a firm friendship between the author and the artist. Bret Harte then left for London, and later, upon Mr. Boyd's appointment to the "Graphic," Mr. and Mrs. Boyd also went to live there. Their home was close to that of Bret Harte and the friends enjoyed friendly intercourse and many social pleasures in each other'* company. "The Luck of Roaring Camp," said Mrs. Boyd, "is known to most readers, but few of them know that this appealing story with its humour and pathos was almost lost to posterity at the outset. The reader employed by the Californian magazine, of which Bret Harte was the editor, suggested that the story should be withheld from publication on account of its 'immorality, indecency and blasphemy. . Fortunately the opinion of this decidedly prudish person

was not acted upon, and 'The Luck , Mas given to the world, its instantaneous appeal and success vindicating Bret llarte's judgment."'

Bret Harte"s method of work was to write every day from breakfast till luncheon. He then went driving, and later, from o p.m. till he dressed for dinner, again devoted some time to writing. Humour and pathos distinguish both his prose, sketches and verse, and his best known work is typical of C'alifornian life and the country of the far West.

A vote of (hanks was extended to Mrs. Boyri by Mrs. Arthur Griffiths, convener, after which several readings were given by Mesdamcs Mucky, Griffiths and Misses Burton, Gnrdner an<l Quill.