HERE'S TO LIFE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 294, 9 February 1945, Page 5

HERE'S TO LIFE

Sir,-May I protest against your review of that great book by libertarian and humanist Henry J. Hayward. It would appear to be animated throughout by a spirit of carping resentment and cynicism culminating in an insulting gibe which is in very bad taste indeed. The author himself describes his work as "a ‘Pot Pourri’ of thoughts jostling one another, without perhaps that continuity which orthodox _ biographies possess-Well, ’tis just ME," and with dry good humour concludes: "What can you expect from a F magia ing Showman?" The book is arranged as a lady horticultural enthusiast would display an old English garden-a bit of everything with a brilliance of contrasting colours, yet making a delightful whole. Opened at any page one can become instantly fascinated. I cannot agree that the headlines selected by the reviewer indicate the showmanship of the author, and indeed, knowing Mr. Hayward’s simple homely nature, the complete absence of pomposity, his modesty and reserve, I can only assume the reviewer wishes to read such a meaning into them. Readers who have read the two pages devoted to "Nature Calls and Consoles" will be able to judge for themselves the value of the reviewer’s comments. A hasty glance through the account of the author’s boyhood "Visit to London" reveals that this city is called by name eight times as against once each as the "Mighty Metropolis,’ "Busy Metropolis" and "The Great Metropolis." Not a word is mentioned of the uniqueness of the author’s ancestry, his connection with his famous viols and the attempt to steal his valuable Strad. Surely some reference to those musical comrades, "The Brescians,’ was warranted, with their floating theatre experiment and their communal home island. The book is not intended as an orthodox recording of the author’s connection with the theatre. Outstanding style the author undoubtedly possesses, as has been testified by scores of people of my own acquaintance. One such, after reading his ‘works, expressed. to me that he would consider it the greatest of honours to account Mr. Hayward a personal friend. To attempt in a review to belittle the author as purely a showman with all the accepted failings of one of that calling is much to be deprecated, particularly so when it concerns so noble and honourable a character as)Mr. Hayward. His name is probably’ as highly respected as anyone’s in this country. . I hope these few words of appreciation of so grand a character will induce your readers to test the soundness of the review. I am sure they will enjoy a literary treat, and equally certain that the reviewer will sincerely regret his hasty rush into print to express prejudices which do not redound to his

credit.-

CHARITABILITY

(Milford).

Our reviewer replies: "My regard for Henry Herwerd the man is too warm and too sincere to permit me to praise Henry Hayward the author. But if I had been guilty of ‘all, the sins your correspondent attributes. to me, I could not have hurt the author so cruelly as this fatuous letter will."