E. J. Brady: Commentary Upon Chris: Brennan

Component identifier:

Item 67

Content Summary:

(a) Autograph manuscript. 1p. Fcp. This manuscript, extracted from Brady's note book, was written after his attendance at the Science Congress, 1898, at which Brennan read a paper. The manuscript is headed by Brady, "At Science Congress, 1898", with attached clipping from newspaper: "In mental science, Mr C.J. Brennan, M.A., read a thoughtful and erudite paper on 'Fact and Idea', which was discussed by several of the members."

Brady writes: "Chris. Brennan, clever Irish. Parents, thick, squalid, but honest Hibernian public house-keepers in Paddington, Christopher reared on the upper floor away from the fumes of the stale beer. Early developed metaphysical leanings. At the age of (abt) 19 told me that R. Catholicism was all bunkum, but he continued to go to Mass with his mother every Sunday and partook of the Eucharist over which he cracked biological jokes. A devoted follower at this time of Herbert Spencer, he yet pretended to be a devout Roman Catholic. One of the most intellectual and reasoning frauds I have ever encountered. Met him recently in a book store. Spoke to him because the rim of his straw hat was gone and he looked seedy. Treated me with the manner of high-class ecclesiasticism, dignity bordering on insolence. Lank black hair, unhealthy looking creature. Billet in Public Library. Has published brown-paper covered pamphlet of Poems entitled 'At the Source', seems to be an air of Literary Brahmanism about them characteristic of Christopher. Should say Chris's motto like Jackson's to be 'Success before Principle'. Watch Christopher for developments."

(b) Autograph manuscript. 1p, 4to. This note accompanied the preceding manuscript, when I acquired it from Brady in 1950. "Chris: Brennan. This ungenerous memorandum I have just cut out of an old note book. It was written 51 years ago. Since then one has learned to regard externals as of little importance in the assessment of literary values. Too much emphasis has been placed upon the personal eccentricities of genius. One realises now that if Brennan was not in his expression, a genius of the very highest order, he was at least one "of the finest scholars Australia has produced. I cannot remember meeting him at any particular time between 1898 and 1922, when I struck him at Betsy Mueller's joint back of the Sydney Town Hall, where good spaghetti and fair wine was available. We spent (to me) a memorable evening together of which I have written in My Life's Highway. Any ill-feeling that might have arisen between us in the late nineties was entirely forgotten. Brennan had separated from his wife...He looked a real Parisian-boulevarde figure...but he was brilliant, entertaining, and comradely to the last word. I saw him again in Sydney a few times in 1926. He had lost his job at the University and was tutoring at some R. Catholic institution - a sombre Brennan this, and visibly on the way out. Vale." Signed and dated by Brady, January 1950. I had much correspondence with Brady on literary matters, and once queried him on his Brennan note. He replied: "...it was ungenerous, but at the time it was not untrue".

Brady and Brennan sat together for their Junior Public Examination in 1884, and Brady did not suffer greatly by comparison with his brilliant companion. Brady was no dunce! Later, he passed the Civil Service Examination, and in 1886 he matriculated, passing in Latin, French, Physics, Geometry and Mathematics, Algebra, English Composition, and Essay. His note, taken from the Calendar of the University of Sydney, is attached to the verso of manuscript (a).

In quarter-leather folder, together with photographs of Brady, and other material of interest, including first printing of Brennan's essay, "Fact and Idea".

Names:

Christopher Brennan

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