Wonderful reflections on the works of a complete genius, thank you. I’m 3/4 through Biggar’s book and whilst I was already part of the pro-Brit flock, it has been an excellent read. Well researched and he’s not ashamed to promote his perspective (yet offers fair balance throughout). I’ll be very interested to read your take, in particular with regard to the role of British exporting their ‘worldview’. I’d aver the Judeo-Christian worldview is the pivotal factor for improving quality of life across the globe. Then and today. Call me a humble religious ‘supremacist’ I guess.
ps I love ‘The Reeds of Runnymede’ which I hope appeals to you as a leading legal light.
In 1966 when I was at law school we had the privilege of being addressed by Lord Denning who was visiting for a Law Conference. His speech was inspiring and Denning was at the height of his powers. Now there was an activist Judge if there ever was one.
He recited the last verse of the "Reeds of Runnymede" which remained etched in my memory.
I did my own recitation in 2019 when we made a pilgrimage to the meadow. Kipling sure had an ear and a pen for capturing important elements.
It’s best to declare one’s hand: Nigel Biggar & I crossed paths over a common interest decades ago. We again met up when he was here in NZ recently, speaking of his being cancelled by publisher Bloomsbury only to be picked up by William Collins. Yes; his assessment of “the coloniser” covers many such people - globally! So us ‘white fellahs’ are not the only the only ‘invaders’.
Key, if I may, to such as Kipling (whose works my mother bequeathed to me), is the deep, deep enculturation of the Judeo-Christian ethos and worldview among his ilk. He is all too able to walk that mile in another’s moccasin as he’s also looked at the plank in his own eye. Just so, Māori culture and history is itself saturated with its spirituality. And one has to say, assessing those two spiritualities does throw up some marked contrasts.
Wonderful reflections on the works of a complete genius, thank you. I’m 3/4 through Biggar’s book and whilst I was already part of the pro-Brit flock, it has been an excellent read. Well researched and he’s not ashamed to promote his perspective (yet offers fair balance throughout). I’ll be very interested to read your take, in particular with regard to the role of British exporting their ‘worldview’. I’d aver the Judeo-Christian worldview is the pivotal factor for improving quality of life across the globe. Then and today. Call me a humble religious ‘supremacist’ I guess.
ps I love ‘The Reeds of Runnymede’ which I hope appeals to you as a leading legal light.
Thanks for your comment.
The review of Biggar's book will be out on Monday.
A reflection on "Reeds" will be subject of a comment
Thanks to Just Boris for his comment
As to his PS about Kipling's "Reeds of Runnymede"
In 1966 when I was at law school we had the privilege of being addressed by Lord Denning who was visiting for a Law Conference. His speech was inspiring and Denning was at the height of his powers. Now there was an activist Judge if there ever was one.
He recited the last verse of the "Reeds of Runnymede" which remained etched in my memory.
I did my own recitation in 2019 when we made a pilgrimage to the meadow. Kipling sure had an ear and a pen for capturing important elements.
And still when Mob or Monarch lays
Too rude a hand on English ways,
The whisper wakes, the shudder plays,
Across the reeds at Runnymede.
And Thames, that knows the moods of kings,
And crowds and priests and suchlike things,
Rolls deep and dreadful as he brings
Their warning down from Runnymede!
It’s best to declare one’s hand: Nigel Biggar & I crossed paths over a common interest decades ago. We again met up when he was here in NZ recently, speaking of his being cancelled by publisher Bloomsbury only to be picked up by William Collins. Yes; his assessment of “the coloniser” covers many such people - globally! So us ‘white fellahs’ are not the only the only ‘invaders’.
Key, if I may, to such as Kipling (whose works my mother bequeathed to me), is the deep, deep enculturation of the Judeo-Christian ethos and worldview among his ilk. He is all too able to walk that mile in another’s moccasin as he’s also looked at the plank in his own eye. Just so, Māori culture and history is itself saturated with its spirituality. And one has to say, assessing those two spiritualities does throw up some marked contrasts.
I look very forward to your review.
Much enjoyed by this descendant of Norman and thus Norseman stock