Browning and Domett.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 December 1915, Page 3

Browning and Domett.

Between Alfred Domett—author o. the Christmas hymn beginning "It was culm audi silent night"—and Robert JH'owning there existed a deep friendship. Domett came out to New Zealand, where ho became Premier and was .'or thirty year's in tho colonial service, Frederick G. Kenyon says: "Of tne nature of their friendship it is not necessary to speak. Browning hau shown some of his feeling in 'Waring and 'A Guardian Angel,' though the references were obscure to un oxcepi tne few who wore acquainted with the Camberwell circle of. 1840. Me snows it more fully, and in charaoteristicafly warm expression, in the presont series of letters" (which Mr ivenyoii edits).

"Domett, for his part, had spoken on*, ae early as 1841, m his spirited = protest against an unsympathetic review of 'Pippa Pusses,' .lines reprinted in 'Flotsam and Jetsam.' rie has been dcscribedi by one who knew him in i\ew

Zealand as a hero-worshipper, anu Browning was ono of his heroes; anu tlie bright-eyed enthusiasm which seems to show in his portrait lasted apparentlv to the end."