BOOK OF THE WEEK

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1929, Page 17 (Supplement)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A MOUNTAIN’S CHARM

(Bj

C.E.)

"Mount Egmornt," by B. E. Baughan: Whit-combe and Tombs, Ltd., Christchurch.

Her many admirers in Taranaki have probably wondered whether Miss B. E. Baughan would not be tempted to write one of her charming little books about. the province which inspires them all with such fervid local patriotism. Ranking high among writers who extolled the beauties of New Zealand’s scenery, Miss Baughan has produced a number of souvenir booklets, as her

publishers designate them, but none about Taranaki. The appearance of a booklet entitled “Mount Egmont” indicates that Miss Baughan was merely biding her time and probably working her way up to the climax of her literary effort. That at any rate is how we Taranaki folk may think about it, for surely no grander subject than that of our mountain could have occupied Ker thoughts. . That Miss Baughan is not less capable than. the most enthusiastic among those who-live within its shadow of understanding - and appreciating the mountain is made evident throughout her pages. She arranges her thoughts according •to a mosf;. orderly plan, picturing the . mountain from the distance, .lightly, sketching its history, legendary and actual, and then taking her readers with her on mountain tramps, each of which reveals new beauties and opens lip fresh avenues of thought. She is not the kind of writer who would journey to one of the mountain houses by car, drink a cup of tea and hurry back to

“civilisation” to dash off a fanciful essay on the grandeur of Egmont. One senses that she has spent many hours on the mountain, both on the beaten tracks ,and .off; she has actually lived with the mountain, studied its moods, and learned to love it.

Egmont is admired and loved because it has so many attributes —its loneli-

ness, which gives it majesty; its symmetry, which endows it with ‘unusua

grace; its approachableness, inviting all who will to set foot upon its enticing slopes; its almost humanly wilful changefulness. Is it not this changefulness, the rapid passing from one mood to another, that wins the hearts of tho mountain’s many ..lovers? If it is, then surely -Miss Baughan has a claim to be regarded as one of the most devoted among them. And it is fortunate for the rest of us that she not only loves Egmont, but 'also knows why she loves him and with her skilled pen can give .us 'her reasons so that all who read may share her feelings. To dissect her story with meticulous care would be futile labour. For anexpenditure of two shillings anyone may purchase a copy of a booklet which is worthy of a place in every Taranaki home and would be a most apt gift to send to friends at a distance. Everyone who reads it will be impressed with a sense of the writer’s practical ability and comprehensive knowledge. She is a botanist, and without at least a smattering of botanic lore the tramper on Egmont. must remain blind to some of its beauties. Because she has visited many mountains and lakes and rivers and seen great natural wonders she is

the better able to appraise the charms of the mountain gorges and streams, the waterfalls, the curious rock shapes, the bush, the natural gardens on the mountain’s slopes. And with all this she bolds fast to. an eminently practical purpose, describing her various excursions in such logical order that one finds in her pages—neatly and unobtrusively woven into the fabric, it is true—the elements of a guide book as well as a source of inspiration. I want to quote a few lines to illustrate Miss Baughan’s really fine descriptive power and to show her intimacy with Egmont, and I have to confess that among so many pleasing passages it. is hard to make a selection. Perhaps

this will do; ‘‘Everywhere, too, the Mountain will share with you his rarer, more delicate intimacies—those of atmosphere. Dwelling as he does, so islanded in air, and so deep in Heaven, he commands allegiance from all the clouds of that climate, moist as that of Devon, though much more sunshiny. He calls them, and they come; he casts them off, and they sail away in the deep blue, like ships. From the steep shore of one of the higher slopes one can watch them voyaging below for league on league, some swimming like slow swans, white-breasted and stately, some

like dark destroyers speeding, others hoisting up into the sunshine, as they massively proceed, turrets ‘proud and sculptured,’ others, again, just lifting in and out of sight, like dream-islets of . pearl. A clear sun can make them shine like silver, or warm them with gold, and they signal ‘good-night’ or ‘good-morning’ to the Mountain with banners that he can see for miles, of purple crimson and bronze, flame-colour and tender rose. Sometimes, gathering

all together, they hide earth quite away fi om him, beneath a sea as of snow, that is crevassed here and there with indigo rifts. Sometimes they play with the sunshine up and down the mountain, and make him the loveliest wreaths of glooms and glories, Sometimes it is the peak itself that they involve, and then, if they are not too tearful about it, and you are sure of your track, it is not bad fun to climb up and keep com-

pany with the t m, as they weave the world in and out of their fringe.” .That will be enough to show that Miss .Baughan knows her subject, has skill in handling it, and is always on the easiest terms with her readers. It will also suggest that she is a poet. Even a laureate would be proud of the rhythm and dignity of “Some swimming like slow swans, white-breasted and stately.”

The book “Mount Egmont” is quite profusely illustrated with reproduced photographs, among which are two unusual "and fine views taken by Dr. George Home, of New Plymouth. Miss Baughan has enjoyed the help of several mountain enthusiasts in the preparation of her welcome booklet.