Early Reading II
Brasch's library of 7,500 volumes is full of books once owned by various family members. Indeed, he was the family archivist. These editions of Kipling's popular works belonged to his mother. Kipling's portrayal of India triggered a personal response in young Brasch. He created an imaginary world peopled with his own versions of 'Mowgli' and 'Rikki-tikki-tavi.' He developed a strong regard for the country and certain aspects of the Hindu religion, such as the idea of the continuity of all being. In later life, he travelled to India.
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Willi Fels was Brasch's one constant in life. There was a great deal of trust and understanding between young Brasch and his grandfather, a cultured man who was often heard singing old German songs like 'Auf der Teutoburger Walde, Zim, zim, zerim-zim-zim' in the garden at 'Manono'. This Stuttgart edition of Franz Hoffmann's Willy belonged to Fels and has his name embossed on the cover. Perhaps Brasch, with his knowledge of German, read this tale about the hero and his escapades in Jamaica, featuring pirates, slavery, and a ferocious alligator. |
| Franz Hoffmann, Willy. Stuttgart: Schmidt and Spring, 1864. |
In June 1925, Brasch's aunt Emily (Forsyth) gave him this copy of An Anthology of Modern Verse. This book, important in the development of Brasch's own poetics, introduced to him the poetry of Rupert Brooke, James Elroy Flecker, Walter de la Mare, W.B. Yeats, Edward Thomas, Thomas Hardy and Wilfred Owen. This book also contains tell-tale signs of what would become a life-long habit: the marking of liked poems with crosses, and annotating the end pages with lists and further references. 'The Song of Shadows', a later unpublished poem was loosely tipped in this volume.
Brasch's mother died when he was almost five. His father continued on with educating Brasch and his sister Lesley as best he could. Although opposites by nature, there was quality time, and Brasch writes somewhat fondly of his father reading to him Norse and Greek legends, an Arthur Rackham edition of Brer Rabbit, poems by Tennyson, and the serious poet Robert Browning. In fact, the Browning cult had reached New Zealand. The Felses and de Beers had regular poetry readings of his works (other readings included Dante and Whitman), many of which Hyam Brasch attended. This copy of Browning's dramatic poem Pippa Passes is signed and dated 'C. O. Brasch, April 18, 1926.'
One of Willi Fels's consistent aims throughout his life was to acclimatize all the best ideas and products from older countries into his adopted home of New Zealand. He was born in Halle, Germany, and wanted to be a historian. In New Zealand he became a successful businessman in the family firm of Hallenstein Bros. The book on display was a Christmas present to Brasch in 1926. It is a primer and would have aided him in understanding further the old world of his grandfather.
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