Mourning Was Not Confined

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 291, 19 January 1945, Page 9

Mourning Was Not Confined

NY tribute to as well-known a humeorist as Stephen Leacock is apt to nullify its purpose and become a lament, unless plentifully illustrated with quotations from his writings. In the BBC presentation from 4YA, Leacock’s career as univetsity lecturer and economist was touched upon but briefly, and the main ‘part of the programme was composed of readings from his books. It was indeed true that his gentle irony was ditected against the things he loved; the poisoned arrows of vindictive satire- were not the natural weapon of so. lovable a man. But it may not be generally known that he was the author of one rather barbed dart, "God tekes care of fools, drunks, and the United States of America." His attitude to life is pleasantly exemplified in the advice he gave to a student who hesitated to marry while still in college--"You can afford a few household articles and a can to go to the corner for beer--what more do you need?" Since most of his admirers have read all of his books, there is no point in quoting them here. It may give ; a better picture of Stephen Leacock, the man, if we quote the magazitie Time, which says: "When he retired from McGill University’s faculty, Stephen Leacock thought of returning to his native England, then decided to stay in Canada. Said he, ‘Fetch me my carpet slippersI'll rock it out to sleep right here.’ Last week, at 74, he died in a Toronto hospital, after an operation for throat cancer. Mourning was not confined to McGill, nor to Canada."