"Pocket Musicopoematographoscope"

Component identifier:

Item 37

Content Summary:

Autograph manuscript. 4pp [1897]. Accompanying the manuscript is autograph letter from the late Hugh Wright in which he describes the circumstances under which the poem was written: "The 'Pocket Musicopoematographoscope' was composed by Chris. Brennan in the Public Library of N.S.W. in 1897, and was to convey a message to his intimate friend Dowell O'Reilly saying 'See you tomorrow old fellow'...About that time Brennan was fond of classical music, and in sonatas and symphonies composers usually opened with a few notes which formed the theme of the first movement and then they went into "side lines, and kept bringing in the main theme in varied form - some chaps say 'they worry the tune'. Well Brennan's opening theme is 'C.U.', then he laughs up his sleeve, and jibes...and chuckling says, 'but it ain't, it ain't'. 'Will never come' is 'tomorrow', and so the message unravels itself. Hugh Wright, December 11. 1944."

The manuscript has not been published. Preserved in folding case.

Names:

Christopher Brennan

Access and use