“DROLL STORIES”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20028, 8 February 1935, Page 14

“DROLL STORIES”

UNIVERSITY LECTURER ON BALZAC’S BOOK EVIDENCE IN AUCKLAND CASE The Balzac controversy was again before the Auckland Magistrate’s Court when the hearing was resumed of the case in which Cecil George Swallow, bookseller, of Queen Street, Auckland, was prosecuted for offering for sale an indecent document— Honore de Balzac’s “Droll Stories.” Counsel for defendant called as witness for the defendant Philip S. Ardern, B.A. (Oxon.), lecturer in English at Auckland University College. Witness said he was conversant with the works of Balzac, which were treated in the syllabus for degrees. He considered it necessary for students to be conversant with the works of Balzac. He then referred to York’s standard work on French literature, and said that Balzac had a distinct influence on his own period and on succeeding authors. Mr Ardern read a passage from the standard work which said: “Balzac may be called the founder of the realistic school.” “Clever and Abounds in Wit” Asked by counsel about the particular value of “Droll Stories,” Mr Ardern said the book portrayed French life of the 16th century. “His writing was clever and abounded in wit and satire,” said Mr Ardern. “It also is of some value as a historical document.” Senior-Detective Hall: Would it be a suitable book for young children to read?—l don’t think young children would understand the book. Asked by Mr Hall if “Droll Stories” would be a desirable book for a girl of 15 to read witness said: “Not altogether.” If such a person got anything out of the book, that person would probably be sufficiently sophisticated already. Counsel then submitted that there had been no immoral or mischievous intent on the part of the defendant. “Droll Stories” was a work of outstanding literary merit, which he submitted took it out of the section dealing with an indecent document. Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M.. intimated his intention cf giving a written decision.