“THE DECAMERON”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 February 1939, Page 3

“THE DECAMERON”

ALLEGED INDECENT PUBLICATION PROSECUTION -AT AUCKLAND PROFESSOR GIVES EVIDENCE FOR DEFENCE fUuited Press Association! AUCKLAND, 24th February. The book “The Decameron,” by JJoccaccio, was the subject of a prosecution under the Indecent Publications Act against Howard Keddell -Sumpter, a principal of the London Book Club, in the Magistrates’ Court Court before Mr F. H. Levien, S.M. Defendant was represented by Mr Munro and pleaded not guilty to a charge that he hired an indecent document to a plain clothes constable on 14th October, 1938. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said the Solicitor-General had given his consent to the prosecution. The constable, who was a member of the London Book Club, selected “the Decameron” at random from the shelves of the library in Auckland on 14th October. book was composed of 100 so-called stories, most of which were ot a very filthy nature. “It may be claimed that the book is a classic of literary and artistic merit,” Mr McHugh continued. “However, it was openly displayed and made available to persons of either sex without any restriction to age, and in this way we claim it could have only a very immoral and mischievous tendency on readers. As referred to in the Act, we cannot find any statutory definition of an indeent document, but hold it to be anything offensive to common property.” Constable T. J. Hughes gave evidence that he joined the library last June, and on 14th October picked “The Decameron” at random from one of the shelves, paying 6d to hire it. No question was asked regarding his age. After reading some of the stories he submitted the book to a superior ofliccr.

Detective E. A. Stevenson said he was instructed to read the book through, and while doing so he made notes of certain stories. Authority was obtained from the Solicitor-General to proceed with the prosecution and when he informed defendant of the position on 4th November the latter admitted he gave authority for the book to be put into circulation in the library. He also admitted there was no age limit for members, but said there was none under the age of 16. “This is a case which brings into question the whole attitude of the law at present toward books called classics,” said Mr Munro. “It is common ground that “The Decameron” is a classic, nor do I think it will be disputed that “The Decameron” holds a supreme place in the literature of all time.” “I am not going to submit that there are not passages in the book which are not of an unpleasant character,” counsel continued, “but if that is going to be our standard of criticism we will find few books immune from unpleasant references in this age. Directness of early writings have been objectionable in certain ages but tastes change with generations and we live in an age to-day that looks upon matters frankly.” “If ‘The Decameron’ is is to be condemned it will be equally possible to condemn much modern literature,’ ’said Mr Munro, mentioning “Jew Suss,” “Anthony Adverse” and “The Rains Came.” “This prosecution,” he added, “is in a different category from the usual one and that in which Balzac’s works were recently cited. This is a prosecution against a major work of literature and I believe it is the 'first time that a classic of the reputation of The Decameron’ has been branded as indecent in this manProfessor W. A. Sewell, Professor of English in the Auckland University College, said in evidence that the book produced was a presentable translation of “Boccaccio.” It was translated in a precious style, though it would not win a scholarship in English. The illutsrations were not offensive, though lie preferred not to comment on their artistic value.

“Boccaccio is definitely on of the most profound influences on English literature,” witness continued. “I would agree that a man who has not read ‘The Decameron’ could not claim to be well educated in the European sense. It was written in the fourteenth century and admittedly there is an ironical undercurrent that makes the writing morally astringent to certain minds, but not to all. The book is found in most of the world’s greatest libraries, including “Everyman’s Library.” Cross-examined, witness said he did not know that the book was on the reserve list of the Auckland public library or whether it was obtainable in the university library. It was certainly not obscene or indecent. When asked to read two passages in the book witness said Boccaccio had to bs read as a whole to be appreciated. There was a type of mind that would concentrate on passages ‘which would give them self-indulgent pleasure—a type of mind that regarded the dictionary, the Bible and Shakespeare as pornographic. The ordinary type of mind would find Boccaccio dull. The case was adjourned till Tuesday. :