Ethel Mannin’s Memoirs

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22823, 23 September 1939, Page 16

Ethel Mannin’s Memoirs

Privileged Spectator. By Ethel Man ain. Jarrolds. 339 pp. (13/6). Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd.

“PrivUeged spectator” is branded by the publishers as a sequel to Miss Mannin’s autobiography, “Confessions and Impressions,” It is a sequel only in the sense that it follows, for in nature and kind it is a different book. It .is much less personal, much less of a challenge or crusade, much less unconventional. much less sensational. Relatively and materially Miss Mannin’s life during the lasi 10 years has been tranquil: her emotional life has been free from storms, and she has had enough money* to do more or less what she pleases’. She has gained a great affection and - devotion for a young fighter for peace, and she has enjoyed much comfort and delight in her . daughter, now , a young woman educated as-her mother intended and an intelligent, active companion. ' Miss Mannin ■ has travelled or sojourned in most European countries, from north to south; indeed, has been more abroad than at home. She has had a variety of experience - and acquaintance that has kept her pen busy in fact and fancy, and-she has been assiduous in'seeking fineness °f conviction and certainty for her : own working standard. The most interesting autobiographical part of “Privileged Spectator” tells how she has regarded her own writings and. tried to make them more moving. What must be most admired in this book, as in its predecessor, is Miss Mannin’s determination to follow her 'own beliefs at any cost. She is a protestant, often a.protestant among other protectants, and she blames some who sympathise with her. because they are only political socialists and do hot, as she tries to do, live and act their social? ism at all times. Sometimes her opposition seems complacently wilful, as when, oh the day of the Silver itabVteb celebrations in London* she. . •Wlis., defiantly proud to appear in a pjjnority of one amidst the royalist fervour. Those whp know of Miss Ufa 'vsl .understand • intransigence;: jurt as tbose who ■sober her war years will underl i what personal passion she pa°i-

Asm. Few human are so relentless in commending anything but war; and in the long analysis of her motives for this unconditional opposition to war there will be seen idealism and sincerity that are very easy to admire, but not so easy to understand.

However, Miss Mannin has many happinesses, more than she anticipated SO years ago; not the least is the acquaintance of many interesting, honest people like James Maxton, Laurence Housman, Verrier Elwin, and Douglas Goldring, and the three men she ranks with Housman as having a peerless zest for life, Louis Marlow* Llewelyn Powys, and Oliver St. John Gogarty. These and many other personages are clearly presented in her memoirs, with a clearness that must sometimes be more pleasing to the reader than to the original. ■