Foreword

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 September 1922, Page 3

Foreword

IN this land of ours—this Zealand^ which we can so proudly call New, we have scarcely yet begun to realise how rich we are in material for a literature of our something alive and instinct with the strength and vigour of a race living close to the soil. Nature is here so bountiful, so rich in type and interest as to be practically inexhaustible. - • Not yet, however, has more than a beginning been made by writers to use this infinite wealth of background in connection with a vital human interest. At present our literary work as a whole is uncertain. It is advancing hesitatingly, slowly but surely, and there are already signs that the present century. will see more than the beginning of a distinctive literature of our own. In the meantime, let us set a high standard for those who wish . to join the select company of writers. Says Lewis Morris—- " Greatly begin! though thou have time But for a line, be that sublime-. Not failure, but low aim, is crime.

There are two features in this issue which will, we hope, interest our readers. Hitherto literaryaspirants have not found it easy to obtain independent and reliable criticism of their efforts at prose or verse. Henceforth, in the columns of "Answers to Correspondents," the senders of manuscripts will be enabled to read a fair criticism of their work. They will thus be enabled to gauge their ability, and at the same time to receive advice as to the; development of their particular talent. Further, the woman whoV takes an interest in literature usually has some favourite poem or verse, and, as it has been chosen because of some quality that makes a peculiar appeal to her taste, a collection of these should prove of interest to other lovers of poetry. . So, provided they are not too lengthy, we shall be pleased to make a selection of those poems sent in for publication in The Ladies' Mirror. In the realm of Fashion, we shall portray in our next issue some rather fascinating frocks reflecting the very spirit of the Spring-time that -is at our doors. In these will be found an infinite number of suggestions, all of them fresh, and delightfully new.