A Literary Page or Two

Darcy Cresswell's latest book, “Present Without Leave” (Cassells, London) is a most important addition to our New Zealand literature. It is real literature, a refreshing departure from modern styles and methods, and the story of a New Zealander who, because of his unique personality and his talk, has won the favour and the company of many of the writers and thinkers of note of the England of the past decade. That he has done this on his own personality and with a slender purse tells us that Cresswell is certainly a man of unusual culture and character. That he also attained this self-confessed object by an equally self-confessed system of delightful vagabondage is the very fact that makes “Present Without Leave” such interesting reading.

Cresswell's “Poets Progress,” of which the book under notice is a continuation, was published in 1930 and met with a fair measure of success. Both books are written in an archaic style reminiscent of Bunyan or Defoe and are autobiographical. They relate Cresswell's quest after greatness in the world of literature and of his unassailable belief in his poetry. In “Present Without Leave” Cresswell relates how his father offers him land and money, but he disdains such material things and with a modest allowance from his presumably disgusted parent sets forth for England, signing on a vessel as a humble seaman. But before he departs, Cresswell has caustic and sometimes outrageous comments to make about New Zealanders and of their alleged gross materialism. Readers will not take him seriously in this because they will have realised that he is a poet of the most improvident and unpractical order. We are convinced though of Cresswell's belief in his pen and in his own strange Providence—that guides him apparently per medium of dreams and omens.

After many adventures and quaint dealings with characters of the lesser world, and like Ernest Dowson and other egregious poets (Cresswell has a queer urge and a queer liking for strange and possibly uncouth people) our poet arrives in England. Here he prowls about the countryside selling his poems from door to door and sleeping in dosshouses. His meeting with William Rothenstein gives him an entry to the literary elect and to the titled ladies and gentlemen. Here we realise that Cresswell has that spark that kindles greatness. He is sponsored by Arnold Bennett, has his “Poets Progress” published, assists Rothenstein in the writing of “Men and Memories,” is advanced a substantial sum to produce an anthology of verse, meets Eric Gill, Sir Edward Marsh, H. G. Wells (with whom he turns somersaults on the lawn) and many other notabilities. You may ask how our errant poet finances himself in such select and presumably expensive company. Mostly through money given to him or lent to him by his friends. Obviously then Cresswell is without any mercenary pride, though his pride in his poetic mission is terrific. We forgive him much because of his delightful candour.

“Present Without Leave” will live in New Zealand literature long after many other New Zealand books are forgotten. It is real literature and an autobiography of considerable interest. Although one is left with a suspicion that Cresswell is writing with his tongue in his cheek and is adventuring at the expense of his friends, we will freely forgive this lovable vagabond because of the unique literary dish he has compounded for our delectation.

Reviews.

“Tales of Pioneer Women,” collected by the Women's Institute of New Zealand and edited by Mrs. A. E. Woodhouse (Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd.) is the most interesting and satisfying Centennial book published to date. This book will be read and reread by the older generation, the present generation and by generations to follow. The Women's Institute have performed a genuine service to the country in collecting and publishing these stories of our pioneer women. The appointment of Mrs. Woodhouse as editor was a happy one, as proved by the results. Apart from the merit and interest of the stories and sketches, a keen editorial control is shown in the selection of admirably reproduced pictures, the satisfying arrangement of contents, index and chronology. In my limited space it is impossible to detail the contents. I would like to do so, for every contributor deserves mention, but there are eighty-one stories! As the editor states, “this is not a history book, nor is it a collection of short biographies …. rather it is a book of simple tales, chiefly memories handed down to us by our mothers and grandmothers.” Yes, simple stories, and for this reason of vital human interest, page 51 yet not so simple as to lack, in many cases, the ingredient of keen excitement. The stories travel from Auckland province to Stewart Island, and everywhere we witness the grand spirit of courage and perseverance of these wonderful women Who have helped to make our country. Ever and anon the stories of bravery and of hardship are relieved with touches of humour and quick impersonal surveys of particular townships or districts. Interesting forewords are supplied by Mrs. A. E. Jerome Spencer, O.B.E., founder of the Women's Institute movement, and by Miss Amy Kane, Dominion President of the New Zealand Women's Institutes. Much is conveyed in the simple dedication: “This book is dedicated to the memory of the gallant pioneer wives and mothers who, by their faith, steadfast courage and love, made possible the colonisation of New Zealand.” This is the spirit of the volume.

I shall be very surprised if this book does not reach record sales.

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“Pastoral Symphony” by J. J. Hardie (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is the first book of the telling in novel form of the pastoral history of Australia. If the later books live up to the standard of the first volume the undertaking will be one of the most notable in the history of Australian literature. The composition of “Pastoral Symphony” is an achievement—a finely balanced picture of the first important phase of the pastoral development of the Commonwealth. Into this composition fit the two central figures—a gypsy convict, John Sim, and his convict mate, Ann Smith. The escape from the convict camp at Garwin Cove, the foundation of their cattle run in a rock-walled valley, and their battle with Nature and circumstances is a story of endurance. As age steals on them their two sons assist them in the tremendous task of looking after the rapidly increasing herd of cattle. The rapid expansion of settlement and fear of detection forces them inland. Drought and other disasters threaten them constantly. The background of the bush, of the aboriginals, of the growth of distant towns and stations is faithfully pictured in the light of history. The big men of the time are woven into the vast moving picture; all with a splendid balance of composition. The story will appeal to many—best of all to those who have an eye to literary technique. I am sure I will be one of many waiting eagerly for the second book when the gold epoch succeeds the land fever, followed by the depression of the 'forties.

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A nicely-printed booklet has been issued by the Handcraft Press, Wellington, under the title of “Centennial Miscellany.” It contains seventeen short stories and poems by a number of New Zealand writers headed by C. R. Allen. I admire the way in which C. R. Allen lends his name to such laudable efforts as the one under notice. He is one of our leading writers, yet he is always ready to associate himself with younger and lesser-known writers giving them that encouragement and confidence so necessary for their advancement. N. F. Hoggard is responsible for this interesting collection.

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“The Advance of the Missionaries” by H. C. Fancourt, M.A., published by A. H. & A. W. Reed, is the first book to receive a grant from the recently established Alfred and Isobel Reed Trust Fund. The fund was formed to subsidise the cost of production of such books “as will present attractively the Christian Faith and the Christian way of life and inspire the right attitudes and conduct.” The compliment will naturally attract attention to a book which tells the story of the C.M.S. actively in New Zealand from the years 1833–1840. These tales of early missionary work in New Zealand are invariably interesting reading and also, as in this case, valuable additions to our historical library. A tribute to the book is paid in a foreword by the Bishop of Aotearoa, Bishop Bennett, who states: “It is admirably written and of great historical value.” In congratulating Miss Fancourt the Bishop adds: “She has opened a window through which we have been allowed to see most interesting and historic scenes of one hundred years ago.”

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“Anne of Ingleside” by L. M. Montgomery (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) will be welcomed by the thousands who have followed the adventures of Anne of Green Gables. Miss Montgomery is one of the most popular story-tellers of the day. Nearly two million copies of her books have been sold. In this latest book we meet Anne with her young family around her. She lives their life and laughs the hours away with them. The twins are well to the fore in the domestic picture and help to create many of the laughs in a charming story. Everybody will love faithful old Susan, Anne's maid-of-all-works. The book has its exciting moments as well as its amusing ones.

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“Air Raid Precautions for Australians,” a booklet published by Robertson & Mullens, Melbourne, is naturally the last word in topical interest. In a plain, practical manner Alan Brookfield tells what to do before, during and after an air raid. The book has quickly run into three editions, the third edition containing valuable new matter.

From the same firm and of equal topical interest is “The Time Wheel,” which is a simple method of finding the time in any part of the world at any hour. For newspaper readers and radio listeners the “wheel” should be in demand these war-chaged days.