Post #36956 by Kailuageoff on Mon, Jun 2, 2003 1:47 PM

Has anyone heard of a book called "Confessions of a Beachcomber", by E. J. Banfield?
I bought it on ebay for $1. (Hell, at that price it might just as well have washed up on shore.)
It was written in 1908 after the author and his wife fled civilization for the simplicity of island living off the coast of Australia. The forward indicates it was a very popular book when published, so I'm wondering if our dear Donn Beach knew of, or read this tome. The edition I have was published in 1933 -- about the time Donn was getting underway.

Here's an excerpt from page 10 that sounds like something Mr. Beach might have related to:

"Had we not cast aside all traditions, revolting from the uniformity of life, from the rules of the bush as well as the conventionalities of scociety? Here we were to indulge our caprices, work out our own salvation, live in accordance with our own primitive notions, and, if possible, find Pleasure in haunts which it is not popularly supposed to frequent.

"Others may point to higher ideals and tell of exciting experiences, of success achieved, and glory and honor won. Ours not to envy superior qualifications and victories which call for strife and struggle, but to submit oursleves joyfully to the charms of the 'simple life."

If the author had mentioned rum somewhere in the above paragraph, I'm sure our own dear Beachcomber would have embraced the text.

Here's another excerpt a few pages later...

"This was our very own life we were beginning to live; not life hampered and restricted by the wills, wishes and whims of others, but life unencumbered by the domineering wisdom, unembarassed by the formal courtesies of the crowd."

I'm just starting this book, so I'll try to relay any other gems I come across. I know the prose is a little difficult, but I think the 2nd paragraph of the first passage cited would make a terrific Tiki Central toast.

[ Edited by: Kailuageoff on 2003-06-02 13:50 ]

[ Edited by: Kailuageoff on 2003-06-02 13:52 ]