SELWYN AND KINGSLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19918, 11 April 1928, Page 12

SELWYN AND KINGSLEY.

Sir,—ln looking over my copy of Charles Kingsley's famous novel, "Westward Ho!" I noticed for the first time the dedication: "To the Rajah, Sir James Brooke, K.C.8., and George Augustus Selwyn, D.D., Bishop of New 2'ealand, this "book is dedicated by one who (unknown to them) has no other method of expressing his admiration and reverence for their characters. That type of English virtue, at once manful and godly, practical and enthusiastic, prudent and self-sacrificing, which ho has tried to depict in these pages, they have exhibited in a form even purer and more heroic than that in which he has drest it, and than that in which it was exhibited by the worthies whom Elizabeth, without distinction of. rank or age, gathered round her in the ever glorious wars of her great reign." The dedication is dated February, 1855, and as I read it to-night, I confess .to a thrill of pride that the brilliant rector of Eversley should have penned so noble an appreciation of Selwyn, one cf New Zealand's few great men. And that set me to wondering whether there were any persona! links between Selwyn and Kingslev, or was it the age-old tribute of the man of letters to the man of action ? Also, was Bishop Selwyhj like Kipgslev, a socialist ? Perhaps someone with knowledge on these and other points will come forward with the facts arid may also be able to rescue Sir James Brooke from obscurity. Inquirer.