ALFRED DOMETT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 60

ALFRED DOMETT.

By Robebto. The average New Zealander of to-day apparently knows very little concerning Alfred Domett. He lias become almost an unknown quantity, even though his name has been attached to one or two places j his record somehow has faded away. Little curiosity is evinced when his name is mentioned, and only a few speak of Domett with any enthusiasm. Yet the poet, colonist, and statesman who died in England in 1887 was in his day an influential New Zealand politician and a prominent member of at least one Government, about the year 1862. Somehow colonial fame has a tendency to become transient, although in this case something different might have been expected, for he gave this Dominion a splendid advertisement when he published his masterpiece "Ranolf and Amohia." If we have shown some lack of appreciation, England and America have acted very differently, for in those countries Domett has a great many enthusiastic admirers. ' Possibly a few particulars concerning this gifted one-time colonist may draw attention to his unique, beautiful, and unconventional poem. It will not be out of place to give some information about his early life, and a few particulars concerning his contributions to literature. Alfred Domett was born on May 20, 1811, and he finished his education at St. John's College, Cambridge. He was 21 years old when he published his first poems. He went to America when he was 22, and stayed in that counti*y some years. After his return to England he published his "Christmas Hymn" in Blackwood's Magazine. This composition is a great favourite in America. He then travelled on the Continent for some time, and became a great friend of Robert Browning. About this time he wrote and published, his poem "Venice." He was called to the Bar in England in 1841. In 1842 he left England for New Zealand, and remained here until 1871. In 1872 he published, in England, his masterpiece, "Ranolf and Amohia" (A Dream of Two Lives). This work called forth many eulogies from men prominent in the ranks of literature, politics, and religion. Such men as the following were loud in their praises:—Robert Browning, Dr Arnold (of Rugby), Tennvson, Richard Horne (author of "Orion"), Sir George Grey, Sir Henry Parkes, Governor Gore Browne, : Lord Chief Justice Coleridge, etc. In 1877 Domett published some collected poems under the title of "Flotsam and Jetsam," and from this year until his death his, principal contributions to literature were in prose. Mention has been made of the friendship which existed between -Alfred Domett and Robert Browning. The latter commemorated this friendship in a poem he wrote after Domett had left England. In this he styles his friend "Waring" ; and such was his confidence in the literary- powers of Domett that he wrote the lines: Oh. never star ' . Was lost here but rose afar. Domett remained an enthusiastic friend and admirer of Robert Browning until-the last, and he was for a time a vice-presi-dent of the Browning Society. Those who have read "Ranolf and Amohia" Will concede that Browning was a true prophet when he penned "Waring." In "Ranolf and Amohia" there is a remarkable feast for the mental palate. Domett gives us philosophy, religion, Maori mythology, beautiful descriptive writing, etc., etc. It is indeed a remarkable poem. In the opening stanzas we are introduced to a boy who had spent some time at sea before his mind had developed. Next we see him as a youth with his tutors. We gather that his studies, as directed by these men, foster a bias for philosophic speculation. • It naturally follows that_ in .the first 100 pages of "Ranolf. and Amohia" is quite a compendium of philosophy, ancient and modern, with brief' dissertations, thereon. In Book I, canto 5, the poet says:— , Two 'mysteries freely contest by by the sages of science we find: . . Through the visible Universe clearly an Energy works like a Mind; For the grasp of the senses ; too fine; never known but with Atoms combined; Never caused by these Atoms—for how candead matter originate Force? And how linked with the Universe ever a mystery dark as its source— Through the brain of mankind works an Einergy—Thought call it —Consciousness— Will; Never known but when joined with brainatoms ; itself inperceptible still; Never caused by these atoms, —for how can. mere matter, thoxigh living, be Thought? And how linked with the brain such a secret, in vain is the clue to be sough-t Are they kindred: these Energiees then? and the last, what if simply 'twere true 'Tie a drop of its ocean, the first, and as such indestructible, too! In the same canto, at page 88, there are lines which are suggestive of the philosophy of Matthew Arnold. There's a Tendency making for Righteousness: True! which abundantly proves A Supreme Moral Power exists; all the more that so slowly it moves, So accords with the gradual processes physical Nature so loves, etc. A few lines further on he shows us his attitude as an evolutionist: What! did Man o'er those animal cycles to royal prominence rise But by stimulants —impulses true—true outer and inner supplies, etc. After Ranolf s student days are over we find him deliberating as to the choice of a profession. In canto 6 we find these lines: • Though long detained our Optimist must turn To some profession now, and haply learn How in the hungry press of struggles best The means of life his own right hand may wrest. However, before a decision concerning an occupation has been arrived at, a relative dies, and leaves Ranolf ample means. Thereupon the old passion for sea travel returns; and the poem depicts him as voyaging to many lands, and writing about

the places he visited, like the sailorstudent he was. In canto 7 we have a fine description of a storm off the northern coast of New Zealand, and the sxibseauent shipwreck, wherein Ranolf very nearly lost his life. In the first canto of the second book he describes his first wild pig-hunt, which resulted In the death of his faithful dog. Speaking of the dog, he says: As good a faith or fancy 'twere To think all conscious creatures —foul or fair, One universal endless progress share; In the procession headed by mankind, Only a- march or two behind. Ranolf's first sight of the beauteous Maori maiden Amohia is in. some exquisite verse: There stood a maiden of the land, More stately fair than could elsewhere Through all its ample range be found,, etc. ■ The latter part of the second book deals' principally with Ranolf's life among the Maoris, his love for Amohia, and Maori lore. There follows some fine writing descriptive of Amohia's perilous swim across the water to her English lover. Ranolf and Amohia then wander together and visit the famous terraces at Rotomahana—now no more. Domett gives us nothing finer in the poem than the description of the Pink Terraces, in Book IV, canto 5. A short quotation will prove this: All rosy-bued, it seemed,, with sunset's glowBut what is this! no roar,- no sound, The wanderers near and nearer comes— Still is the mighty cataract dumb! A thousand fairy lights m>ay shimmer With tender sheen, with glossy glimmer;' O'er curve advanced and salient edge Of many a luminous water-ledge; A thousand slanting shadows pale May fling their thm transparent veil O'er deep recess and shallow dent In many a watery stair's- descent: Yet, mellow—bright, or mildly dim, Both lights and shades—both dent and rimEach wavy streak—each warm snow-tress— Stand rigid, mute, and motionless! As the story in the poem progresses we find that Amohia has her share of troubles owing to her love for Ranolf ; but eventually the lovers succeed in getting on board a vessel, and are taken to civilisation and happiness. In the concluding stanzas Domett reverts to philosophic speculation. He argues that life, as lived on this earth, is a school for the development of the soul. Speaking of. the different creeds, he says: That all Faiths and Philosophies, higher and lower, the old and the new Are but parts of one system' sublime, have ideas universally true! Of Domett the man we gather that he was cultured, honourable, and philosophic. Evidently he had plenty' of determination when he considered he was in the right. To him, apparently, life appeared to be a chequered state of probation from the cradle to the grave, with many kaleidoscopic changes; but for him it had no terrors. He was, indeed, an interested spectator. ,- In "Ranolf and Amohia" we : find him using the word "Optimist" very fre-. quently when speaking of his. hero. He could hardly have written as he has done unless he believed that all was for the best. It is to be hoped that the works of Alfred Domett will yet appeal to a wider public. Readers who take up his great poem for the first time, can be assured of a treaty of a high order. He had the art of vivid description; and probably no writer has done more to draw attention to the Maori race, its folklore and legends. "Ranolf and • Amohia" forms an admirable epitaph to the memory of Alfred Domett.