Exercise book

Component identifier:

Item 89

Content Summary:

Inside the cover of which the author has written: 'Please return to C.J. Dennis, The Herald, Melbourne'.

These verses entitled: 'Just Miss Mix: the chronicles of a little town', appeared serially in the Herald, Melbourne. Each episode was illustrated by Percy Leason.

Into this book the author has pasted the clippings as they appeared up to episode 12. From then on the synopsis for the remaining verses has been written in by the author, in pencil.

Their titles are:

XIII I told you so.

XIV Wagtails.

XV Noddy's Hill.

XVI Bribery.

XVII Grass widow.

XVIII Doogan's end.

XIX Me?

XX My Hilary John.

Dennis's final note reads: 'The book ends on a happy note with the two children romping with Doogan's dog'.

Dennis evidently had in mind publishing the verses in book form. 'Wagtails' had already appeared as IV in the published series, and at XIV he has written, 'Wagtails No. IV in this book follows here', so he was possibly making some changes in the sequence of the verses.

Bound in half-leather over the original covers, together with two autograph letters from Mrs Dennis to Chaplin, commenting on this book, and making references to Guy Innes, and other matters of interest.

Dennis had a long association with The Herald. The company paid the bill, seventy pounds, for his funeral, and they also made weekly payments to his widow, for several years.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The collection was purchased from Harry Chaplin in 1981.

Names:

Chaplin, Harry F.

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