"Nihil Obstat"

Component identifier:

Item 44

Content Summary:

Autograph manuscript. 2pp. 8vo.

A poem of 26 lines. The script is headed: Nihil Obstat Dom X.Y.Z. Censor Imprimatur + C.J.Card. B.

The text of this poem has been printed in Southerly, No. 3, 1963, taken from a copy in the Mitchell Library. The poem was written by Brennan in the form of a note to A.G. Stephens, and is dated 13 June 1900. It was prompted by a set of verses, "The Symbolist", written by Dowell O'Reilly, but published anonymously on the Red Page of the Bulletin, 30 June 1900.

At the end of Brennan's poem is a memo to A.G.S. "P.S.- Not for publication, it's a kind of poetry that one can 'understand' - at least D (i.e. Discipulus - quondam - Cyri) can. We have been intending to ax you up this long time, but uninvited guests have driven us crazy and we're going to take a long rest. Then we hope to see you - and Mrs Stephens? Tuesday's one cf my busy nights, else I had come, Thine, Brown." Note that in signing off as "Brown". Brennan was keeping in character, for "The Symbolist" in O'Reilly's poem was "Cyrus Brown".

In quarter-leather binder. Accompanying is autograph letter from Brennan to Lionel Lindsay, written from Newport, 20 August 1916: "Dear Lionel, I have owed you a letter a deuce of a time: but I was always hoping to meet you at Casuals. Then I was busy and next I was ill: still am, my head is singing, seething, and spinning with neuralgia. Generally a limp rag...The Uni. women are busy with some patriotic fete...Forgive brevity, Ever thine, C.B."

[Note. Brennan suffered for many years from inflammatory symptoms of his maxillary sinus, and in 1918 it was necessary to take surgical treatment for the condition.]

Brennan appeared at the Fete impersonating Cardinal Wolsey. In his voluminous robes he made an imposing and authoritative figure. The artist made a fine drawing of his friend in costume, a photoprint of which is included in the folder. It is annotated: "I did this for a University Fete. C.B. as Cardinal Wolsey, L.L." Writing to me about this drawing the artist commented upon Brennan's fitness for the part: "...He had all the qualifications, including appetite, and the simple urges of the flesh..."

Names:

Christopher Brennan

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