LITERATURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 4

LITERATURE.

ANCIENT MART AND THE ANCIENT MAORI. By Constant Readeb. “In the year 1825 Dr Buckland, in his search for palaeontological specimens in the caves of South Wales, unearthed the now famous ‘Red Lady’ of Paviland, and two years later tho Rev. J. • M‘Enory was ‘electrified’ to find flint implements associated with tho bones of extinct animals in Kent’s Cavern, near Torquay. Of the two pioneers, it was M'Lnery who perceived most clearly the meaning of what he had seen; Buckland, tho professional geologist, preoccupied by the need of reconciling scientific discovery with a. strictly literal interpretation of (ho Book of Genesis, was unable to recognise that man, after an age-long ignorance, was on tho verge of discovering his own past. M’Enery’s work wna discreetly smothered, the ‘Red Lady’ rejuvenated by some 20,000 years, and tho whole question shelved for another three decades.” In these words Miss W. A. E. Garrod, of Oxford University, introduces her work in ‘The Upper Palaeolithic Age in Britain, in which she describes in detail the discoveries of tho traces of Ancient Man in the caves and holes of Devonshire. South Wales, tho Wye Valley, the Mendips* North Wales, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. Following the reference to tho “finds” of one hundred years ago. Miss Garrod summarises the work since done, and especially tho discoveries of recent years: —

Meanwhile, in 1847, Boucher do Perthes first published his conviction that tho flints found in tho alluvial deposits of the Somme Valley _ were of human workmanship, and in 1859 Falconer. Prestwick, and Evans ranged themselves on his side. In the previous year Pcngelly had begun in Windmill OaveTn, Brixham, an excavation which placed beyond doubt the co-existenco of man and extinct animals in cave-deposits. From this date the history of English caveexploration becomes more or less continuous. Tho Gower Peninsula was investigated by Colonel Wood between 1858 , and 1861, and excavations were begun in Wookey Hole, Hyaena Den, 1859; in Hoyle’s Mouth, 1852; in Kent’s Cavern. 1864; in Victoria Cav%, 1820: in King Arthur’s Cave, 1871; at Creswell Crags 1875; in Ffynnon Beuno and Cae Gwyn, 1884; at Langwifh, 1903. Finally, Paviland was re-explored in 1912; Aveline’s Hole in 1919; and Creswell Crags in 1924.

Tho treatment accorded to Paviland Cave may ho taken as typical of Miss Garrod s method. It is situated on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula, about fifteen miles west of Swansea in Wales, on a lofty cliff facing tho sea between Oxchurch Bay and Worms Head. The first excavations were made in 1823 by two brothers named Davies, and shortly afterwards Mr L. W. Willwyn and Miss Talbot discovered a largo number of teeth and bones on tho floor of the cave, which showed signs of a Roman occupation These discoveries attracted the attention of Dr Buckland, who carried out a thorough excavation and made the remarkable find of the human skeleton, stained with iron ochre, known as tho Red Lady of Paviland, and supposed by him to be contemporary with the Roman occupation of W ales. It was not until 1912 that a scientific exploration was under taken by Professor Sollar, whoso monograph on the subject is authoritative.' From an archaeological point of view, Paviland proved to be the richest of the English caves. Over 36730 flakes ancl t fragments, of which 800 wore definite implements, were unearthed, and these are citified and illustrated by Miss Garrod. The skeleton found by Buckland lay on the west side of the cave under six inches of earth. Miss Garrod says: —

Expert examination has shown that the bones were not those of a woman, as Buckland supposed, but of a man about twenty-five years of age, with a probable height of between 1.692 metros and 1.732 metres. The proportions of the limbs agree with those of the skeletons of Cro-Magnon typo found in the Grimaldi caves, and differ notably from those of the modern European. Professor Sollar considers that the , Pavxland man represents the most westerly outpost of the Cro-Magnon race.

11l a summary and conclusion, Miss Garrod says: “We see this country (Britain) as the Ultima Thule of Upper Pakeolithic Europe, a north-west cape, remote and inhospitable, bounded by the great icesheet under which Scotland and Ireland still lay buried. As we should expect, traces of human occupation are scarce, but we can make out the same general succession of industries as in other parts of Western Europe, certain gaps and certain variations.” The desire to reconstruct the history of the remote past from the available records is not confined to the students and scientists of Britain. It has penetrated to New Zealand, where it is mostly concerned with the manners and customs of the anment Maoris. In this research Mr Elsdon Best holds an honoured place. Consequently* his bulletin on “The Maori Oanoo” will be accepted as authoritative by all experts. It contains “an account of _ various types of vessels used by the Maori of New Zealand in former times, with some descriptions of the isles of the Pacific, and a brief account of the peopling of New Zealand The bulletin, which is well illustrated, begins by saving:—“The vessels of Polynesia and their manipulation form one of the most interesting subjects connected with the Pacific area. Not only are the various types of interest in regard to their structure, origin, and modes of uso, but what specially appeals to the imagination is the fact that in these vessels the ancestors of the Polynesian peoples performed voyages of amazing length, and explored vast areas of the Pacific Ocean. ’ Mr Best traverses the entire subject in a most informative fashion. First of all. ho classifies the Maori canons into three main types—the double canoe, _ tno single canoe with outrigger, and the single canoe without outrigger. The last-named he subdivides into the waka tana or war canoe, the waka tote or fishing canoe, and the waka tiwai or river canoe. The construction of the war canoe from the original tree trunk to the act of launching is described in detail, and the differences in the three types of canoe are enlarged upon. Attention 'is given to paddles and other means of propulsion, and to the anchors used bv the Maoris. A sketch is also given of the canoes used by the various natives in the Pacific area. The final chapter is devoted to a brief account ot the peopling of New Zealand. The numerous illustrations will bo of great service to students, and the appendix giving the names and parts • of Maori canoes is extremely valuable. Mr Best is to bo congratulated upon a most painstaking effort and one involving much patient research. REAL VICTORY.* THE MORAL OF THE PAST. Bx Constant Reader. Events march so quickly that hdoks are out of date even before they are published, and it is possible for a prophet to witness the actual fulfilment of his prophecies. This is true of a book entitled “The Limitations of Victory, by Alfred Fabre-Luce, which has recently been translated from the French by Miss Constance Voscy The book is divided into two parts, the first dealing with the genesis of the war and the second part being entitled “The Abortive _ Peace.” Coming from a Frenchman, this is all the more significant. M. Fabro-Lucc has reason to congratulate himself upon his accurate forecast of the trend of international affairs, especially in regard to the change in French policy. His review of the causes and influences which combined to precipitate the tragedy of the Great War is careful and unbiassed, and he asks again that much-debated question, “Was War Inevitable?” M. Fabre-Luce, however, is not content to deplore the past. Despite the mistakes of that tragic time, and to some extent because of them he lias hopes for the future which even to-day give promise of being realised. Speaking for his nation, M. Fabre-Luce says;—“Many of our recent mistakes can bo traced to our acceptance of false theories. The occupation of the Ruhr, the doctrine of security

through strength, and belief in Germany s sole responsibility for the war, form in particular an indissoluble whole which must be treated as such. Existing illusions must be dispelled there can be any improvement in our policy. Many mistaken theories will be exploded with them. When history is reconstructed French public opinion will realise what are the true conditions of security, just as it has already discerned those on which the payment of reparations depend, in the light of the impartial investigations made by the experts. Not till then will it be jiossible to establish the general peace, based on equality, so important both to Europe and France. Not till then will it be possible to resume the normal relations with'Germany of which each now feels the need, but which cannot be sincere or lasting whilst the historical enmity which now divides the nations persists.” Since those words were penned notable strides have been made in the _ direction indicated. M. Fabre-l/uce insists upon the responsibility of all lovers of peace engaging in the fight against the “powerful weapon of propaganda.” To this end the first step is “to create a new language as is done by poets and philosophers in their domain, to banish verbal conventionalities, and give words their true and full meaning.” He makes the striking statement that “everyone in France has recognised the futility of our propaganda since the war, but tried to put it down to defective organisaitou without venturing to admit that it was fundamentally mistaken.” A second statement is equally arresting:—

A really French attitude is one which faithfully represents the permanent interests and fundamental qualities of the race. Now peace which is France’s greatest interest cannot be permanently established by military domination in a foreign country. That would be contrary to its very essence. And the ambiguous policy pursued since the armistice in which reparations and security have contended against one another, to the imminent peril of both, does not represent the frankness, perspicuity, and ■universality, which are the intellectual charactei Ties of our race. It is, on the contrary, an act of the truest patriotism to denounce these mistakes and make the duplicity perfectly clear. M. Fabre-Lucc hails the League of Nations as the living reply to the i intakes of 1914. He examines what he dubs “the disastrous consequences of the false spirit of patriotism which prevailed during the years after the war.” The gestures ;.ic compared with the results. “By slighting the German payments offered, we increased the cost of reconstruction, and the consequences on the French taxpayer. By refusing to consent to any reduction of the debt due to us we made a far greater reduction necessary, and thus played the game of our adversaries.” This ruthless analysis of post-war mistakes is followed by an outspoken exposure of the dangers of the future, chief amongst which, from the French point of view, is the German revanche. M. FabreLuce faithfully interpreted the signs of the times when lie expressed the conviction that “before the possibility of revanche can take definite shape Germany will have joined the League of Nations. We are confident that she will take this course because wo know that it will be primarily in her interest to do so.” Moreover, this French publicist gives expression to his con viction that it is only necessary for the League of Nations to function properly for a few years with the support and co-opera-tion of all to enable a good deal of progress to bo easily made which now seems Utopian. The attitude of the United States towards the League is next considered, and the decision of 1919 is set down as neither absolute nor irrevocable; the opinion is registered that the help of America is indispensable to the peace of the world. The suggestion is put forward that in due time the existing organisation will develop into a really complete and impartial League of Nations which, with a whole tradition of equity behind it, will make it impossible for a belligerent Government to decline to accept its verdict. And for the realisation of all this the responsibility is cast upon the leaders of the nations:

“They will teach us to transport our victory to a higher plane, where we shall he free to develop it without fear of being deprived of it by force. They will remind us that it requires us to exert a civilising influence, that it only gives ua ascendency, initiative, power to anticipate the future, and shape Europe in accordance with her deep aspirations for a short time, and that unless wo use these powers they will be taken from us. They will repeat what Carlyle said as to no conquest being great except the conquest of now ideas. They will bo able to deliver the great spiritual forces of the nation from the errors into which they have fallen.” ADAM LINDSAY GORDON. , A HANDSOME MEMORIAL VOLUME. A shining soul, with syllables of fire, Who sang the first great songs these lands can claim To bo their own. Fifty-six years ago, at the early age ol thirty-five, Adam Lindsay Gordon, confidently awaiting news that, as head ol the old English family of Gordon of Hallhead and Esslemont, he must succeed to the-barony of Feslemont, an estate worth £2OOO a year, penned these desperate sentiments. “I take little personal comfort from the hopes of the property. It will come too late in the day to do me any good; and I am quite sick of everything. And, after all, having more money than you know what to do with may be only a little better than having none at all”—this being his own financial position at the moment. When the legal decision went against him, leaving him penniless and heavily in debt, the young poet, too proud to appeal to those who would readily have helped him, and no longer willing to endure “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” ended all in the quiet of the tea-tree scrub an Picnic Point, Brighton, on June 23, 1870, 'the rifle issued to him as a member of the Brighton Artillery Corps serving for him as the “bare bodkin.” A tragic termination to a career rich in poetic possibilities! As is only too commonly the case, the recognition that might have ordered his life along different and more wholesome lines came too late. On the day of his death Ids volume of poems entitled “Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes,” including “The Sick Stockrider.” “The Swimmer,” “A Dedication,” “How We Beat the Favourite,” and “From the Wreck”—poems that achieved in Australia a popularity .which has not been surpassed there—was published, and public interest in Gordon and his works was aroused, to develop into a national recognition of the genius of the pioneer poet. A monument was erected over his last resting place at Brighton Cemetery, and the grave has been lovingly tended during all the years. A movement was commenced in 1911 to raise funds for the erection Jn Melbourne of an equestrian statue of the poet who spent so much of_ his life among horses. Later, the committee appointed to further the proposal decided to publish an cdition-de-luxc of his poems, with the dual object of providing for his admirers a permanent treasure and of augmenting the fund for the statue. “The Adam Lindsay Gordon Memorial Volume,” issued by the Lothian Publishing Company Proprietary (Ltd.), Melbourne and Sydney, at three guineas (increased to four guineas after January 1, 1027) is the outcome of this resolve.

In every respect the book is a worthy memorial. In the course of an exco'llent biographical sketch, the editor, Mr E. A. Vidler, remarks: Whatever opinion may bo held by tire critics on the literary value of the poetry of Adam Lindsay Gordon, there can bo no doubt of its intimate personal interest. The individuality and experiences of no other poet are more clearly reflected in his verse than in that of Gordon. The most intimate happenings in his life were often turned to lyrical account, and almost alb his writings reflect his own thoughts uid feelings in a peculiarly personal and confidential way. Though this characteristic may tend to set a limit open the universal appeal of much of his p«afcry, it gives a special to

his biography, and makes it imperative for the true appreciation of his verses that the facts of his career should bo recounted.

Mr Vidler proceeds to the recounting with the utmost candour, forbearing fulsome eulogy, 'and quite unafraid in reference to the poet’s weaknesses. Horses were Gordon’s delight throughout his all too brief career. Though, like another notable, his early fame was achieved mostly by his frequent involuntary dismountings, he became an expert, intrepid horseman, earning his livelihood for a considerable period in the business of livery stable proprietor and trainer, and on one occasion (October 10. 18o8) he rode the winner of three events at a race meeting. To Gordon’s interest in horses is due the fact that Australia is able to claim him as one of her poets. A horse of which he was part owner was seized by a bailiff, and yoOng Gordon, in his headstrong way, forcibly took possession of it, involving himself in a grave legal offence, from the consequences al which he escaped, but because of which his departure from Australia was deemed advisable. Poets and artists in Australia have vied with each other in the effort to make this memorial volume one of exceptional value, and it is doubtful whether such a collection of original works of art has ever before been brought together in any volume produced in Australia. Some ol the artists travelled miles in order to paint on the spot scenes such as "The Blue Lake,” “Dingloy Dell,” etc., and the reproductions in colour are very beautiful. Everything of consequence written by the poet is included in this memorial book, which enshrines in addition many fine tributes by brother poets to their beloved colleague.