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The Record of Nicholas Freydon An Autobiography By: A. J. (Alec John) Dawson (1872-1952) |
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Note: Images of the original pages are available through
Internet Archive. See
http://www.archive.org/details/recordofnicholas00daws THE RECORD OF NICHOLAS FREYDON An Autobiography [A novel by Alec John Dawson] This etext prepared from the first edition published in 1914 by
Constable and Company Ltd, London.
EDITOR'S PREFATORY NOTE It would ill become any writer to adopt an apologetic tone in
introducing the work of another pen than his own, and indeed I have no
thought of apologia where Nicholas Freydon's writing is concerned.
On the contrary, it is out of respect for my friend's quality as a
writer that I am moved to a word of explanation here. It is this:
there are circumstances, sufficiently indicated I think in the text of
the book and my own footnote thereto, which tended to prevent my
performance of those offices for my friend's work which are usually
expected of one who is said to edit. It would be more fitting, I
suppose, if a phrase were borrowed from the theatrical world, and this
record of a man's life were said to be 'presented' rather than
'edited,' by me. I am advised to accept the editorial title in this
connection, but it is the truth that the book has not been edited at
all, in the ordinary acceptance of the term. A few purely verbal
emendations have been made in it, but Nicholas Freydon's last piece of
writing has never been revised, nor even arranged in deference to
accepted canons of book making. It is given here as it left the
author's pen, designed, not for your eye or mine, but for that of its
writer, to be weighed and considered by him. But that weighing and
consideration it has not received. So much I feel it incumbent upon me to say, as the avowed sponsor for
the book, in order that praise and blame may be rightly apportioned.
Touching the inherent value of this document, nothing whatever is due
to me. Any criticism of its arrangement, or lack of arrangement, to be
just, should be levelled at myself alone.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTORY CHILDHOOD ENGLAND BOYHOOD AUSTRALIA YOUTH AUSTRALIA MANHOOD ENGLAND: FIRST PERIOD MANHOOD ENGLAND: SECOND PERIOD THE LAST STAGE EDITOR'S NOTE
THE RECORD OF NICHOLAS FREYDON
INTRODUCTORY
Back there in London how many leagues and aeons distant! I threw
down my pen and fled here to the ends of the earth, in pursuit of rest
and self comprehending peace of mind. Here I now take up the pen again
and return in thought to London: that vast cockpit; still in pursuit
of rest and self comprehending peace of mind. That seems wasteful and not very hopeful. But, to be honest and if
this final piece of pen work be not honest to its core, it certainly
will prove the very acme of futility I must add the expression of
opinion that most of the important actions of my life till now have
had the self same goal in view: peace of mind. The surprising thing is
that, right up to this present, every one of my efforts has been
backed by a substantial if varying amount of solid conviction; of
belief that that particular action would bring the long sought reward.
I suppose I thought this in coming here, in fleeing from London. Nay,
I know I did. The latest, and I suppose the last, illusion bids me believe that if,
using the literary habit of a lifetime, I can set down in ordered
sequence the salient facts and events of that restless, struggling
pilgrimage I call my life, there is a likelihood that, seeing the
entire fabric in one piece, I may be able truly to understand it, and,
understanding it, to rest content before it ends. The ironical habit
makes me call it an illusion. In strict truth I listen to the call
with some confidence; not, to be sure, with the flaming ardour which
in bygone years has set me leaping into action in answer to such a
call; yet with real hope. It is none so easy a task, this exact charting out of so complex a
matter as a man's life... Continue reading book >>
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