“The Broad Highway.”

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 42, 22 December 1911, Page 8

“The Broad Highway.”

Perhaps you'll be wanting "a good book" for the ■ Christmas holidays, and one which doesn't mention economics and presents no problems. Just a book to live with leisurely and loafmgly, and to enjoy every paragraph of the journey, the while trouble and turmoil never obtrude. I know such a book, 'and I've lived in another world as I've read it. It is a romance of other days and scenes entertainingly reminiscent of George Borrow and his wanderings and times. Indeed, I should say Jeffery Farnol has steeped himself in Borrovian lore and writing. For this book I know as one in a thousand is by Jeffery Farnol, and it is called "The Broad Highway." It has in it a prince, a highwayman, an ostler, a tinker, a fighter, and other curious characters, also some rascals and some divine maids. It has been the r&ge —one of the few "rages" worthy the boom. It is genial .and literary, broad and rivettine. I

love it. I expect the people of the next century will love it too. I think it will live. After we all are grass and beyond that, maybe, for long years. \ quote an inimitable introduction to the story proper, and it seems to mc to have 'tb.6 story's savor and a little lesson besides:- — .-;■.,/V p'Aud then, as I said afore and I . 'say it again, the3 7 wants love in a ;■;•, book nowadays; and wot's more they Swill have it.V ■'" -■-':• /' "They?" said I. \ " / ."The folk as will read your book . After., it is written. ,, 1 .. "Aih!.to be sure," said I, somewhat taken ! aback, "I had forgotten tihem." "'.- '. ■' "Forgotten them?" repeated, the Tinker, staring. '"vri.-' "Forgotten that people might want to read it-—after it is written."' ■ - "But," said the Tinker, rubbing his nose hard, "books are written for people aren't they?" • "Not always," said I.''.'' \ ' Hereupon the Tinker rubbed his nose harder than ever. . ■ : ''Many -of tli© world's greatest - books, tliqse masterpieces which have lived and shall live on for ever, were *~ writt-en (as I believe) for the pure -~ love of .writing th,em." ; :: "Oh!" said the Tjnier. , ':., "'. .'"Yes,", said I, warming to my theme, "and witTi TTEtle or no idea of the eyes: of those unborn generations which were to read and marvel at them; hence it is we get those sublime thoughts untrammelled by passing tastes 'and fashions, un- . .bounded by narrow creed or popular prejudice." ' "Ah I" said tho Tinker. <r ]Vlauy a groat vriier has been spoiled by fashion and succe&s. for, so soon as be bo gins to think upon his public, how best to please and hold thoir fancy (uhich is ever tho most fickle of mundane things) straight-way Gonivis spreads abroad bis pinions and leaves him in the mire." "Poor cove!" said the Tinker.