BOOK CORNER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 178, 30 July 1932, Page 16 (Supplement)

BOOK CORNER

REVIEWS SAMUEL MARSDEN, by 8. M. Johnstone, M.A., F.R.H.JS., (Angus au'i Robertson), pp. 256. ISamuel Marsden has imprinted, his name large upon the history of the 1 Dominion of New Zealand, yet it must ic confessed that despite a monument erected to his honour in the North of Auckland, and the naming of a country after him, he has not been adequately dealt with in the history of New Zealand. It is surprising, indeed, that his name and fame have lasted so long in view of ihc literary neglect of this remarkable personality. It is perhaps the true test of a personality that it can survive despite the inadequacy of the literary memorials. This test Marsden has indeed survived, but having so survived it is well that the inadequacy of the literary side should be now remedied. Mr. Johnstone has certainly done this. He is sympathetic towards his subject as every good biographer should be. Nevertheless, there i« a definite intention to paint him “warts and all.” This sympathetic biography will, I think. become to .be accepted as a standard. It is freely written, without a pedantic interest in unnecessary details, a virtue not always achieved by biographers of colonial characters. There is no attempt to analyse the psychology of Marsden, his actions being allowed to speak for the man; but thero is a conscious endeavour to reveal the purposes which motivated Marsden in those actions which fc wer6

called into question during his life time and after his death.

There was nothing remarkable about Marsden prior to his departure from England for the convict settlement of New South Wales. He did not wring his heart out over the conditions which he found to be existing in the convict ■olony, but he did seem to endeavour to do his best to influence the authorities to benefit the convicts as much as possible. He appeared to have used i robust, sound, commonsense upon the whole, but that does not mean that, in :he circumstances as they now appear to us. all his actions were to be commended. It is not easy to place oneself in the atmosphere of one hundred rears ago in New South Wales. There were desperate men and dissolute women in the ranks of the convicts ••nd their moral degradation was made ttorse by the conditions under which they were forced to live. There were no suitable buildings for the women convicts. Fuel and lodging cost each one of these women four shillings a week, which sum was earned mostly by prostitution. “When I am called upon,” Marsden wrote to Macquarie, “in tho hour of sickness and of want to visit thqm in the general hospital or in the wretched hovels where they live, my mind is often oppresesd beyond measure by the sight of their sufferings. Though their vices have rendered them loathsome to the better part of society, yOt these females are the object of the greatest commiseration, from the certain miseries that attend them through a life of dissipation while here on earth; and if their dreary prospect, beyond the grave is viewed in a religious light, it far exceeds in horror the utmost bounds of human imagination. Women with no settled place of abode were often robbed of their rations. In the Government Female Factory at Parramatta, he pointed out. there were 150 women with 70 children: there were no bedrooms. About 30 of these women were in the habit of sleeping in the rooms where they had worked all day. At night, the rest were at large in the town, and they were given to drunkenness.

When Marsden landed in Sydney the whole community were almost down to starvation point. The timely arrival of ships, however, brought about the replenishment of stores. It was in consequence of this nearness of the settlement; to starvation which started the policy of assigning out convicts to work on the farms of the settlers. It was an avoidance of starvation, a problem in which the convicts themselves were as much interested as anyone

The settlers also had another difficulty to face. The officers of the New South Wales Corps had banded themselves together to form a syndicate with the monopoly of purchase of stores from the ships which pvt into Sydney Harbour. This was done under the colour of preventing the ship masters from exploiting the public. What the syndicate prevented the ship master* doing, however, the syndicate did with such outstanding success that the *eltlers, despite their progress in clearing the land, were faced with ruin. Sydney has net lost the habit of exploitatjnn and graft in the intervening

Marsden’s salary, like that of many another son of the church, was inadequate for his sustenance and he was perforce compelled to take np "rants of land. This he did to good purpose, becoming the second largest land holder in New South Wales. Ho also became a magistrate and as such ordered a convict to be flogged in order to extract from him information as +o where some pikes and other j v.panons were concealed. This has na-fv’-ally brought down upon Marsden’s ’’..'’mo some, censure, and despite the Torts of his biographer, the censure < >ems to be undoubtedly deserved. There were extenuation circumstances, however, and these should ho borne in mind when trying to estimate the manner of the man. Marsden had assigned convicts to work for him. He appears to have treated them well and to have allowed them to earn money for themselves by working for others. This once brought him into trouble, although the practice was general enough. As a farmer Marsden showed himself to be a capable man, and his interest in the improvement, in tTie vooi strains of Australia appear to have provided tho industry with its

' initial right direction. Ho perceived ‘ ’hat the dry climate was suitable for ’he growing of fine wools. He apparently introduced the Spanish Merino into Anstralia and noted that it was better for the sheep to bo kept in the • learings and not herded under the trees where the rain and dew remained. Marsden also sent the first, wheat seed • tn New Zealand. His interest in religion was said by his enemies tn take second place to his temporal interests, but his conduct in promoting the settlement of

missionaries in New Zealand docs notlend aid to this charge. Marsden is said by some to have delivered his first sermon in New Zealand in ttie Maori tongue, but Mr. Johnstone writes; “At the close of the service Duaterru declared to the people, in their own tongue, what the preacher had said, and what the service meant.”

Marsden did not seem to be a stickler, for his own church, he was quite prepared at all times to have others working with him and to help Uim cause of christendom by advancing any other organisation. Hence he acted as the agent of the London Missionary Society and did praiseworthy work for that great body. It seems regrettable that the late Rev. Sylvester Horne should have overlooked to have mentioned Marsden’s work for that society when he undertook to write the history of that body. But it is Horne who loses by that omission. Another instance of his. Marsden’s, interest m the work of other bodies was given when the Scots Church in Sydney was in the course of construction. Funds ran out, and the building looked like being uncompleted. Marsden, thereupon, came forward with the offer of one or two thousand dollars on loan.

Despite his great work, however, Marsden had to contend with a great deal of downright persecution, which perhaps was only to be expected in such a community as Sydney then was. Both Marsden and Governor Macquarie were men of strong will and both used to having their own way. Macquarie, in his proper zeal for emancipation of the convicts elevated some of them to tho magisterial bench. To this Marsden could not bring himself to agree. It is easy to condemn Marsden, but before doing so a prudent judge would like to know something of the personal character of the appointees. The idea which Macquarie had seems at this ditsance, however, to have been a right one. Another charge made against Marsden is that he did not interest himself in tho aboriginals of Australia, while he gave so much attention to the Maoris and to the natives of Tahiti. Even if this be true, it would not amount to much. One man cannot be expected to do everything and if he feds called in a certain direction, he cannot be expected to do great things in another direction. Marsden definitely saw the need for certain work, and he should bo judged bv tho work he actually accomplished, not by what ho left undone. Few men would be able to enjoy reputations of merit were that course followed in assessing their careers and characters. But Marsden’s biographer is at some pains to refute the charge, ho pointing out that Marsden could quite easily and with proprietry have been consulted in the formation of the college at Parramatta for the Australian natives. H n was neither consulted nor was he invited to join the governing body. He was cold shouldered in the venture, and Marsden, like a wise man, gave the whole proposition a wide berth. Nohodv can blame him for so acting.

There was much of petty spite in that young colony, much of biekejing and much of bad faith. But through it all there emerges tho Marsden of the steadfast purpose and the sound judgment., He rightly deserves this biography and Mr. Johnstone is indeed to he congratulated upon the excellent way he has completed his task.

ECONOMY MUST BE OUR WATCHWORD, by Joyce Dennys (Putnam)

The war produced Bairnsfather, the depression has produced Joyce Dennys. Bairnsfather produced his “Old Bill’’; Joyce Dennys has produced her Petal.

Petal is the wife of a long-suffering gentleman whose £20,000 a year income has shrunk to £15,000, and it is in her efforts to meet this catastrophy, on her pocket money of £2OOO a year (unreduced) that Petal provides the world with chuckles.

Petal is a middle-aged dame, with plenty of beef unencumbered with brains. Her entire absence of appreciation of the viewpoint of anyone else in the world makes her fair game and believe me tho game is fair and fine. Petal’s idea of economy is that of making everyone else pay for what she herself wants, of sponging on her friends and slicking past obligations. Her social sense is appalling indeed, she is socially blind and this callow, shallow piece of femininity prattles on giving herself away to the reader in a way which makes it compulsory to chuckle until the end of the book. But, of course, it is a disturbing book to read if Petal’s hat fits the reader’s head. Such a reader might find the whole book a downright exasperation —because it is true.

ALL FOR THE LOVE OF A LADY, by Dion. Clayton Calthrup (.Lhapman

and. Hall), pp. 255. Dion Clayton Calthrop is a practiced writer and a mature novelist-. His touch is sure, his effects are certain; consequently when he takes up a not original theme oi a countryniuu falling

in love with a chorus girl he turns out a literary job which differs from the novelette wherein the family stand up and reject the harpic, and the youngman with noble passion stands by the pure white flame of his heart s desire, in real life, if they marry at all, the countryman and chorus girl do so in a mad, bad hurry, come quickly to disillusionment and part with feelings of relief that are quite mutual. The respectable relations don’t have time to tome into the game as a rule, and usually they don’t want to. The respectables have their own troubles and generally leave the fool to find his own way out of the mess he has run himself into.

D. C. Calthrop doesn’t make any mistakes. He leaves relations out of his story, lie puts in instead all that soiled and sordid crowd who make up life in the West End of London and with whom to associate is an unclean business. He reveals tho poverty and the prodigality of the London Bohemian; the essential selfishness of the women and the men who hit tjie high spots; their unmoval qualities and their wholesale, unwholesome unsatisfactoriness.

Robin Elder, brought up in the at, mosphere of the best of English tradi

tion, had his soul lit by the flame of love for Ida Rowan, u chorus girl whom he had met nt a foreigner’s flat one night. She was practiced at the game of stringing men on and she succeeded But go and live respectably in thi country! That was impossible. Th* An/igement broke down on both

sides, although the author portrays a man who would have probably gone on with, the game, like many another fool. Tho play of his kind could not stand up against time. That is where D. C. Calthrop gets his theme. It is true to life and a well told tale.

GOD IN THE SHADOW 6, by Hugh Redwood (Hodder and Stoughton), pp. 128. When writing his epochal book,

“God in tho Slums,” Mr. Hugh Red wood purposed concluding with a final chapter on his religious pilgrimage. What appealed to him as no less than a Divine command compelled him to

leave that book with the climax: “The promises of God are sure.” We are grateful to Mr. Redwood for obeying the behest and thus giving us this book in place of the thirteenth chap ter of another that is complete m itself. In “God in the Shadows” the author writes the intensely alive story of his own spiritual history. In the preface Mr. Redwood tells us quite frankly that the Peter Rawlings ot this book is himself, but adds that the story is autobiographical without being actually autobiography. rn he reader finds this is true.

Peter Rawlings had a. peculiar upbringing. His father was a journalist and his mother a gadd-about. He largely brought himself up in the journalistic world, of Bristol. The chapters on his early days as a reporter arc revelatory of that distinctive trait of the journalistic temperament and training—tho inoro or less complete disassociation of tho journalist personally from the point at issue. Peter Rawlings developed this disinterested and detached point of view to a great degree of efficiency, until ho was sent one day to report tho address of Mrs. Bramwell Booth at the famous Broadmeed Baptist Church in Bristol. He could never recall the substance of the address, although he possessed a remarkably retentive memory for such in the ordinary way, but he felt himself gripped rentlessly by the spirit of her message. Much to his own amazement and to the consternation of his parents and associates he donned a red jersey and took part in open-air and other •Salvation Army activities. Religious zeal carried him a long way in a short time, but the canker of jealousy found lodgment in his heart and ultimately caused him to slip back into his former state. Many years later he found his way back again to religious faith and vital service.

The filling out of this story by the man who passed through the experiences constitutes one of the most thrilling narratives one can read. Peter Rawlings found, as so many others have found from Augustine to Francis Thompson, that there is a Pursuer who will not be put off but will follow with “unperturbed pace, deliberate speed, majestic instancy.” Peter Rawlings, like so many of these others, passed through varied experiences without realising the fact of a Hand upon the helm of his life. Te knew joy, success and security and saw them blighted by the tragedies ot life before his restless soul found rest in God. Through all the shadows walked the Lord of Life who finally led him out again into the light of faith and love and service. “Thus it was that Peter Rawlings found God in the shadows. Thus it was that God the Builder cleared a site for rebuilding. And God the Gardener was biding his time and the sleeping seed was waiting His word to awaken.”

Thus the Lord, who cannot brook the prospect of our death, who craves our service and our love, pursued Peter Rawlings through all his temporary resting places —pursued him not as avenger but as saviour. He prevented him from finding repose. He compelled him to abhor himself. He led him, like the Pilgrim of whom we never grow tired, to the place somewhat ascending where the Cross stands. He awakened faith in him, and sent him on his way singing the new song. This is the subject of the second part of “God in the Shadows” and is a joyous record of his activities as Big Brother to multitudes of slum children, to hosts of down-and-outs, and to many in churches and other associations who need the contagion of an effective faith and consecrated purpose.

Mr. Redwood faces the critics of “God in the Slums” and the likely critics of “God in the Shadows” in a vigorous prefatory note: “I had no thought of propaganda in writingcither book. Thirty-four years ot journalism have given me a very large and active dislike of the man with an axe to grind. To 1 God in the Slums' objection has been made that it is a glorification of the Salvation Army at the expense of other religious bodies. The same intolerant minority may be expected to attack the present volume on the same grounds. The fact, oi course, is that I have been writing from my own experience, and that the Salvation Army happens to have been the agent of- that experience. 1 gladly salute as comrades the workers of other denominations, whether they be Anglicans, Nonconformists, or such of the Catholic Sisters of Mercy who spend their lives for the poor. Had J been one of the multitude who have found the way through them, I should no doubt have done what little I could to pay them my debt of gratitude.” In reviewing “God in the Slums” in this column, reference was made to Mr. Redwood’s vigorous style and sense of the dramatic. His training as a journalist has enabled him to give in a few terse, yet pleasing sentences, h complete idea of the conditions or experiences he wishes to describe. Yet we have no objectionable “journalese.” The writing is informed by a high moral sense and religious conviction. “God in the Shadows” is another .persausive argument for Christian faith without being in the least degree polemical. It is the age-old verification from experience: “Whereas I was blind, now I see.’’ The. aim of “The Civilisation of France,” by Ernest, Robert Cnrtius (George Allen and Lu win, Ltd.), is to promote a truer understanding of modern France. The author deals with the historical basis of French civilisation, with French literature, education, and religion. He closes with an interesting historical study of Paris, and an estimate of the essential features of the civilisation of Prance. This work, written in a concilatory and admirably inpartial spirit, is a distinct contribution to the growth of international understanding in Europt’,