Page:Facts and Fancies about Our "Son of the Woods", Henry Clarence Kendall and his Poetry (IA factsfanciesabou00hami).pdf/28

22 "In some of Kendall's poems you will find grammatical constructions that may seem a little unusual, yet scarcely ungrammatical. At a meeting held in the School of Arts, Sydney, shortly after the poet's death, for the purpose of inaugurating a movement for the substantial recognition of his worth, the late Dr. Badham (then of the Sydney University) humorously apologising for his taking a leading part in such a movement, said: "What have I to do with such a man as Kendall? I am a literary man, 'tis true—but of how different a stamp—I am a verbal critic, if anything. What have I to do with one who will 'tear language to tatters,' but it shall express his meaning?" It was to the generous appreciation of the late Dr. Badham's predecessor as the head of the Sydney University, Dr. Woolly, that Kendall had free access to and use of the University Library. That was, I believe, after the publication of his first volume of "Poems and Songs."

"When you ask me to name some of the verses of Kendall's that take my fancy, 'the embarrassment of riches perplexes me.' but one entitled 'Wombereall' has always been a special favourite of mine. The poet picks up a shell—a sea-shell—'just a shell to which the seaweed, glittering yet with greenness clings.' But how that shell speaks to him. He is not like Wordsworth's hero who viewed 'a primrose on the river brim.' Just a primrose 'twas to him, and it was nothing more. This shell was much to Kendall—just a shell—but how vividly it makes past scenes and past events pass in review before him. Deniehy, one of the poet's early friends, defined genius as "the soul working through the organs of intellect." Tell me what the soul is and we will tell you the secret of the poet's power.

"Womberall" does not seem to have found a corner among any of the poems published in book form.

"Before Kendall came to Cundletown he had been living at Camden Haven for some years, principally employed, I believe, in keeping books for his friend, Mr. Hagan, and others.