MOUNTAINS AND POETS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 687, 12 June 1929, Page 7

MOUNTAINS AND POETS

WHAT HISTORY DISCLOSES “There are two classes of people—those to whom mountains are a challenge to conquer, and those to whom mountains are an obstacle.” This opinion was expressed by Mr. J. W. Shaw, lecturing on “Mountaineering in Literature,” before members of the Auckland Alpine Sports Club in the Unity Hall last evening. He described mountaineering as one of the foremost sports and recreations of mankind. Strangfely enough, however, the poets who had immortalised the freedom, glory, and massive grandeur of the mountains were not themselves mountaineers. One of the most beautifully expressive allegories of the unlimited freedom of the mountains was Milton’s “L’Allegro.” Goldsmith. Shellev. Coleridge, and Byron were other notable poets who sang the praises of the great open spaces. Marco Polo, the world-wide traveller, however, had no enthusiasm for mountains.