“The Shadow.”

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 19, 20 December 1904, Page 2

“The Shadow.”

Mr. Lionel Terry, the author of the abovenamed work, brought his (J feet 4 inches into Mangonui on Saturday last, when we seized the opportunity to congratulate him upon the eulogistic comments with which his work has been received. We have already given our opinion as to the merits of “ The Shadow,” hut that of the editor of the Wellington “Thunderer” goes one better if possible. Mr. J. Liddell Kelly, poet, author and editor, writes as follows: 44 1 consider ‘ The Shadow ’ the ablest “and most striking work I have “ seen on the subject of the curse “ that threatens Britain owing to in- “ termixture with inferior races. The “prose portion is most striking and “ convincing, while the poetry lifts ‘•the subject into a higher sphere “ and should arrest the attention of “ the more thoughtful people. “The work deserves a very wide cir- “ culation, and I certainly hope to “find it receiving the notice and “exercising the influence it ought “ to.

(Sd.) J. Liddell Kelly.” Amongst others the “ Wellington 4 Free Lance ’ accords ‘ The Shadow ’ the best part of a column of favourable criticism in its first page, and quotes the first stanza of the poem from which the work takes its name.

. —With the. Dogger Bank outrage still smarting in our memory, the fifth stanza of the same poem strikes us as being singularly appropriate, and we take the liberty to commandeer it: — Dost thou remember —ere thou yet had’st

sold Thv sons for aliens and thy fame for * gold— Thy ships though built of wood were manned witli men, With men of iron courage ? O Britain, then,

Woe to the foe who didst thy fleet defy Or offer insult to thy majesty ! Thou didst not then protest with gentle

words Or seek to find with whom thou could’st

ally Ere thou would’st dare in stronger terms reply! Nay Britain, then No craven fear just vengeance could allay But swiftly did thy fleet set sail away To seek thy vile traducer in his lair ! Yea, then thou with the valour of thy

' sons And with the clanging thunder of thy

guns Didst hurl the lie back full in his clatt’ring

teeth And warn him to beware ere he again should dare His venomed spite unsheath ! This poem is, however, dated a.d. 2000. but apparently the Jenkins’ ear days have already passed away. It is refreshing to read such vigorous, thrilling sentiments in these sordid, plodding times. Most people, nowadays, who have any convictions are content to remain silent in deference to what Mr. Terry would call “ The Great Gold God.” We are thoroughly in accord with Mr. Terry’s most eloquent appeal for racial purity, and we are confident that all those who are acquainted witli him unite with us in wishing him the success which his patient and strenuous efforts on behalf of his brother Britons so richly deserve.