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THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. 4. —No. 52.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1881.
Fix this textPrice—3d.
Fix this text& bulletin,
Fix this textSATURDAY. JANUARY 22, 1881.
Fix this textOur Anniversary.
Fix this textThe number of The Bulletin which the reader
Fix this textnow holds in his hand is the fifty-second which
Fix this texthas been issued. We will be excused if, on thus
Fix this textattaining the age of one year, we indulge in a
Fix this textretrospect and exchange with our readers con-
Fix this textgratulations on the auspicious occasion. We have
Fix this texthad the good fortune to hit the popular taste from
Fix this textthe outset, and the success which has attended
Fix this textour venture has been unprecedented in the annals
Fix this textof Australian journalism. The circulation of The
Fix this textBulletin, at first necessarily small,has expanded,
Fix this textweek by week, with extraordinary rapidity. Had
Fix this textwe ever doubted that we had struct the right
Fix this textchord to success, we should have ’ad ample
Fix this textevidence of the fact in the eagernes ith which
Fix this textall sorts of established journals set aemselves
Fix this textto imitate our style, so far s lay in
Fix this texttheir capacity. Several newspa .'S have
Fix this texteven been started in emulatioi of The
Fix this textBulletin, whose form aad mannc treat-
Fix this texting occurrences they have, we are dt 1 to say
Fix this textvainly, striven to imitate. Ik-'der,
Fix this text'■ompliments upon us —and compliments are ever
Fix this textwelcome ; but none have been so substantial as
Fix this textthe compliment paid by the ■newspapers far and
Fix this textwide which have been graceful enough to steal
Fix this textour paragraphs, and are cautious enough to re-
Fix this textfrain from acknowledging the source from whence
Fix this textthey pilfered. To these enterprising gentry we
Fix this textreturn our warmest acknowledgments. We only
Fix this textregret that regard for our readers places it out of
Fix this textour power to return their attentions, and steal
Fix this texttheir matter. Imitation, says a proverb, is the
Fix this textsincerest form of flattery. Our literary brothers
Fix this texthave been no misers in evidences of their admira-
Fix this texttion. The Bulletin we believe to furnish theonly
Fix this textinstance of a journal started with the object
Fix this textof providing its proprietors with bread and
Fix this textbutter—started with little capital but energy,
Fix this textpluck and brains—developing without delay into a
Fix this textpowerful and profitable organ. The secret of our
Fix this textsuccess we believe to be very simple. We started
Fix this textlevel with our own times, eschewing antiquated
Fix this textmodels and superannuated methods. The purely
Fix this textcomic journals, we thought, had had their day and
Fix this texttheir reign. Any observant person could see that
Fix this textLondon Punch and its host of descendants —
Fix this textand some of them have descended very low indeed,
Fix this textare no longer the things they were. Like all old-
Fix this textestablished things, they have survived their
Fix this textfounders; and, instead of their staff supporting
Fix this textthem, they have been under the necessity of sup-
Fix this textporting their staff. Jerrold, Thackeray,
Fix this textA’Beckett, Lemon, Shirley Brooks, made
Fix this textLondon Punch— just as Edmund Yates, with
Fix this texthis picked contributors, made the World. Each
Fix this textgeneration knew its own times, and hit upon the
Fix this textexact thing to “take” in its day. But while
Fix this texttimes and tastes change, the courage and the
Fix this textability to strike out a fresh line is not given to
Fix this textevery one. Men drift into writing for Punch
Fix this textbecause they have the knack of writing in the
Fix this texttraditional Punch style—that is to say, in the
Fix this textstyle of the humour of our fathers. Again, the
Fix this textordinary newspapers are equally slaves to played-
Fix this textout traditions. They are, without exception,
Fix this textcopyists of dead and gone mannerisms. Because
Fix this textThe Times made its mark half a century ago by a
Fix this textpompous solemnity of diction, hundreds of papers
Fix this texttake it for granted that “ pomposity” and verbose-
Fix this textness are the proved avenues to success to-day. It
Fix this textis only necessary for our readers to glance at any
Fix this textordinary newspaper to perceive, now that the hint
Fix this textis given, that the sheet is mostly filled with what
Fix this texthe does not care to know. Even the incidents
Fix this textwhich he is interested in learning about are
Fix this textso dressed out in unnecessary words
Fix this textor so flatly related as to cause weariness. There
Fix this textare no efforts made to bring out the salient points
Fix this textof an occurrence, no attempts to please by the
Fix this textmanner independent of the matter. The theatres
Fix this textafford a clue to the drift of popular inclinations
Fix this textwhich has been quite lost upon our seniors.
Fix this textTragedy will not draw unless it be of the very
Fix this textfirst order. Classic comedy is neglected, and
Fix this textplayed to poor houses. Light comedies of the
Fix this textpresent day run for season after season in London
Fix this textand week after week in the colonies. The Bul-
Fix this textletin was projected with all these facts in view.
Fix this textOur aim was not to imitate any dead-and-gone
Fix this textideal, but to please the people around ns ; and if
Fix this texta constantly-increasing circulation be any criterion,
Fix this textwe have succeeded. It may be objected that some-
Fix this texttimes the friskiness of youth has been too apparent
Fix this textin our columns, and that our experiments have
Fix this textoccasionally been a little rash. We do not dispute
Fix this textit. The Bulletin is very young—a fault which
Fix this textis every day mending. Experiments cannot always
Fix this textbe successful, and The Bulletin has been above
Fix this textall an experiment. That it has been in the main
Fix this textsuccessful is all the better for us—and for our
Fix this textreaders. We like to be modest.
Fix this textHenry Kendall.
Fix this textWhatever objections may be urged against the
Fix this texttheory of “ the survival of the fittest” in the
Fix this textphysical developments of universal vitality, the
Fix this textphrase unquestionably expresses the experience
Fix this textof mankind in reference to those who hold high
Fix this textpositions in the world of Letters —more especially
Fix this textin that section of it represented by those who
Fix this textcultivate the “ divine art ” of poesy. The classical
Fix this textaphorism which indicates that the power to
Fix this textawaken human emotions, or inspire sublime aspi-
Fix this textrations, must be the gift of Nature and not an
Fix this textoutcome of special culture, has been amply illus-
Fix this texttrated in every age and in every civilized nation,
Fix this textand it may possibly have its counterpart among
Fix this textsemi-barbarous communities. It would be a too
Fix this texttedious, because a too metaphysical, theme, to
Fix this textmaintain that the poet is born such, not made—
Fix this textpoeta nascitur, non fit: it is far better, therefore,
Fix this textto assume it as a conclusion, founded on man’s
Fix this texthistoric experiences, and one which people wil-
Fix this textlingly accept as a primary truth, without taking
Fix this textthe trouble to demonstrate it as a psychical prin-
Fix this textciple, than discuss it. Doubtless a fine organiza-
Fix this texttion, healthfully employed, will soon manifest its
Fix this textpeculiar forces, to whatever sphere of Art it may be
Fix this textth° '■ they • b ■ still there is - me* 1 ;' ;
Fix this textsurpassing critical ken in that combination of
Fix this textmental and moral powers which enables certain
Fix this textindividuals to perform successfully on “ the living
Fix this textlyre ” of human sensibilities and passions, and
Fix this textmerely by the use of simple imagery and rhythmic
Fix this textnumbers, awake emotions the most profound.
Fix this textThe poet who achieves the best of all poetic
Fix this textreputations is the one whose name glides into
Fix this textthe affections of his countrymen and country-
Fix this textwomen as a household word, and whose work,
Fix this texthowever feeble and artificial a great deal of it may
Fix this textbe, is accepted on the whole as a praiseworthy
Fix this textfact. More than two centuries of active endeavor
Fix this textpassed away amongst the English-speaking com-
Fix this textmunities of North America before an interpreter
Fix this textappeared who could explain the mysterious con-
Fix this textnexion between external nature and the mind of
Fix this textman, and raise the latter from earth to heaven ;
Fix this textand it is not even now certain that Cullen Bryant
Fix this textdeserves the designation of “ national poet” in
Fix this textthe same sense in which it is given to Robert Burns
Fix this textand Pierre Beranger respectively. The fragrance
Fix this textof the forests, the roar of the cataracts, the glory
Fix this textof rich sunsets, and the repose of solemn glooms
Fix this textare suggested by many of his best poetic creations,
Fix this textbut in other respects he caught echoes from afar
Fix this text—from other lands —and only modulated them for
Fix this textAmerican ears. It is a curious coincidence that of
Fix this textthe two native-born poets of Australia —Charles
Fix this textHarpur and Henry Kendall—both from the
Fix this textbeginning endeavoured to give transcripts of the
Fix this textworld around them —of their everyday environ-
Fix this textments—and that in language and measure adapted
Fix this textto their subject. So far the best writings of both
Fix this textare national —are instinct with a peculiar aroma of
Fix this textthe Australian mountain, bush, dell, or seashore —
Fix this textbutare unequal in manyrespects. Mr. Harpur wrote
Fix this texttoo much that was merely imitative to justify an
Fix this textimpartial judge in awarding him the praise of
Fix this texta distinct originality. Not so with his successor.
Fix this textHe stands before these Australian communities
Fix this textacknowledged, without qualification or envy, to be
Fix this textthe uncrowned laureate of Australia. The good
Fix this textfairy who gave him the gift of genius failed, or
Fix this textforgot to bestow, those accidents of fortune which
Fix this textare often curses in disguise to persons of a poetic
Fix this textorganization. Henry Kendall was born at Ulla-
Fix this textdulla in 1842, his father being a man of more than
Fix this textordinary culture, and (we have heard) for some
Fix this texttime a clergyman of the Church of England. O
Fix this textthe maternal side, Kendall can claim kin with the
Fix this textwitty, vivacious, and clever Irish barrister,
Fix this textLeonard McNally, who was one of the celebrities
Fix this textof his day and whose variety of talents won the
Fix this textadmiration of the fastidious Sir Jonah Barrington.
Fix this textHenry Kendall received the rudiments of his edu-
Fix this textcation in his native place, where he also received
Fix this textmany strong impressions from the grandeur or the
Fix this textloveliness of the scenery around. While a mere
Fix this textboy—delicate and sensitive —he seized the oppor-
Fix this texttunity of going to sea in one of the vessels of
Fix this texthis uncle, the late Captain Kendall; and,
Fix this textduring the two or three voyages to the
Fix this textSouth Sea Islands, he not only improved
Fix this textin health, but felt an awakening of those vivid
Fix this textpowers—particularly a keen love of external nature,
Fix this textof grandeur in all forms, of beauty in all hues —
Fix this textwhich were afterwards so harmoniously developed
Fix this textin him. On his return to Sydney, he was put in
Fix this textan offiee to acquire the mysteries of business; and
Fix this textalthough exact in his routine duties, he devoted
Fix this texthis leisure to reading and reflection —he is con-
Fix this textstitutionally meditative, —and soon tried his
Fix this text“ ’prentice hand” in versification. From his first
Fix this textcrude efforts, one can see that he possessed a
Fix this textcorrect ear and an observant eye, and he certainly
Fix this textwrote verses, before he attained his seventeenth
Fix this textyear, which possess intrinsic merit. “The Cur-
Fix this textlew’s Song ” is yet a weird strain in our memory,
Fix this textand “ Kiama, Robed in Night,” is still a dreamy
Fix this textpleasing recollection. It was fortunate for the
Fix this textrapid development of Kendall’s poetic powers that
Fix this texthe became acquainted with gentlemen who helped
Fix this textto “fan the flame of genius.” Of these, he is
Fix this textperhaps more indebted to the late Lionel Michael,
Fix this texthimself a son of the Muses and an exquisite prose-
Fix this textwriter, than to anyone else. To Michael, Kendall
Fix this textbecame not only a companion and friend, but
Fix this textalso an apprentice at law. When the former
Fix this textgentleman removed to Grafton, the latter accom-
Fix this textpanied him as clerk, and remained with him about
Fix this texttwo years, during which time they read a con-
Fix this textsiderable amount of French literature together, as
Fix this textwell as solid works on Philosophy, Political
Fix this textEconomy, and History. During those days, by
Fix this text“ the shining Clarence,’’ Kendall began to
Fix this textmanifest his peculiar poetic moods, and enriched
Fix this textthe columns of the Empire with many vigorous
Fix this textstanzas. At this period, a certain tone of sadness
Fix this textpervaded his Muse ; she was ever leading him to
Fix this textthe silent glens, bleak headlands, or wave-torn
Fix this textshores ; or in the spaces of the night to meditate
Fix this texton the sorrows of an imaginary Ulalnme. It was
Fix this textfeared this mood would become permanent in him,
Fix this textbut in time he shook it off ; and so successfully,
Fix this texttoo, that many now regard him more as a
Fix this texthumorous than as a sentimental writer. He
Fix this textreceived a situation in the Lands Office in 1863,
Fix this textand was afterwards promoted to the Colonial
Fix this textSecretary’s Department, in which he continued
Fix this texttill 1869, when he resigned, and went to Mel-
Fix this textbourne, that city then assuming the airs of
Fix this texta literary Athens of the South. Although
Fix this textKendall wrote for all the best newspapers and
Fix this textmagazines there, edited a monthly and a comic
Fix this textjournal, carried off the “ lucre ” offered for three
Fix this textor four prize-poems, and supplied the words for
Fix this textHorsley’s Cantata, on the occasion of the opening
Fix this textof the Melbourne Town Hall —in a word,
Fix this textalthough he did as well, in a pecuniary sense, as
Fix this textmost of his contemporaries, he must have had a
Fix this textvery hard time of it during his stay at Athens by
Fix this textthe Yarra. Over-work brought on illness;
Fix this textanxiety for his wife and child —he married, before
Fix this textremoving to Melbourne, the eldest daughter of the
Fix this textlate Dr. Rutter, well known in Sydney as head of
Fix this textthe Vaccine Establishment —soon acted on his
Fix this textsensitive organization; and when he returned to this
Fix this textcity in 1871, he could neither boast of a mens sana
Fix this textin corpora sano, nor take delight in those pursuits
Fix this textwhich once led him, like the Saafi of his own crea-
Fix this texttion, to pursue the Immortal towards the “ white
Fix this textthrone.” Working hard, when work could be
Fix this textgot, he made a struggle; but disappointments—
Fix this textthe series of ‘ ‘ unmerciful disaster ’ ’ that
Fix this text“ follows fast and follows faster those that falter
Fix this textby the way ” —drove him at last to seek consolation
Fix this textin the lethal bowl, which of course aggravated
Fix this textthe evil. We will not further penetrate the gloom
Fix this textof this period; it is probably forgotten by the
Fix this textvictim of the distressful circumstances which
Fix this textcaused it, or is only like the memory of a hideous
Fix this textnightmare. Kendall recovered his mental equi-
Fix this textlibrium and moral tone almost at a bound.
Fix this textThrough the more than brotherly kindness of a
Fix this textfriend, he shook off (in 1874) his but momentary
Fix this textweakness, returned to the activities and responsi-
Fix this textbilities of life, soon became a good business man at
Fix this textGosford, where he now resides, and has even
Fix this textutilised some of his harshest experiences, embodied
Fix this textin verse that will long survive. It is needless to
Fix this textdilate on his most recent literary achievements.
Fix this textHis double honours (prize-poem and cantata) at
Fix this textthe International Exhibition, his latest contribu-
Fix this texttions to journalistic literature, and finally the
Fix this textannouncement of his most complete work, “ Songs
Fix this textfrom the Mountains, ’ ’ which we briefly notice in this
Fix this textissue, are known to most of our readers. To add
Fix this texta further laudatory remark would mar the simple
Fix this textforce of this sketch of his career. It is not
Fix this textimprobable he will some day give us, in his
Fix this textremarkably smooth and rythmic prose, a few
Fix this textautobiographic pages. His life is now for ever
Fix this textidentified with the fame and glory of his native
Fix this textland.
Fix this textHENRY KENDALL.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-128328977
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved July 25, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-128328977
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 25 July 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-128328977>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 25 July 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-128328977
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 4 No. 52 (22 Jan 1881)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-128328977
| id=nla.obj-128328977
| access-date=25 July 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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