C.J. Dennis, Digger Smith - Part 1

Digger

Smith.

C.J.DENNIS

Front cover of book - refer to original document. 

DIGGER SMITH

By C. J. DENNIS

Author of " The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke," "Doreen,"

"The Moods of Ginger Mick," "The Glugs of Gosh,"

"Backblock Ballads and Later Verses,"

"Jim of the Hills," etc
PRESS NOTICES

The Age (Melbourne) says:— "It

is not to much to say that it is

every whit as good as the volume

that made Dennis famous. . . . .

Dennis has written this book to

please himself and his public. The

result is a literary and artistic

success. . . . If he has fresh stories

and fresh pictures to bring us, why

should we grumble that he does it

in the same cart? . . We can only

hope that he will produce many

more volumes in the same vein,

and that they will all be as good as

the last. . . . We need not spoil the

reader's pleasure by telling the

whole story.  It is best told, with

all its humour, pathos and very

human sentimentalism , in Dennis's

tuneful verse."
Australian Sugar Journal (Brisbane)

 says:— "Digger Smith is

certainly the leading figure in the

volume; but it is by no means

a one-man show. . . . . Mr Dennis

has qualified to serve as poet

laureate for the noble band of

heroes, some of whom have come

back to us, or will come, whilst

alas, too many of them will return

to us no more."
The Bulletin (Sydney) says:—"It

is equal in interest and artistry to

the work which has placed Dennis

so high in popular favour. 'Digger

Smith' is not to much a collection

of verses as a narrative poem with

all the interest of a first-class novel

worked out in varying moods and

metres. . . . There is lots of genuine

Australian humour in the book-

humour without horseplay and

without sign of being forced.

Nowhere does the verse sag nor the

yarn lose its grip. . . . If Dennis

continues to produce work of this

standard he is certain to maintain

his place."
The Herald (Melbourne) says:—

"Dennis has done nothing better

then 'Digger Smith.' It is the book

of the returned soldier. . . . Dennis

has lost none of his old power to

blend the broadly comic with the

deep humour that is oftentimes

close to tears. . . . But the book has

in it much high seriousness. Digger

Smith has thought a lot 'Out There.'

. . .A distinctly fine piece of work,

it will win hundreds who are not

professed admirers of poetry"

Ballarat Courier says:— "Digger

Smith becomes the mouthpiece of

the best of those who have trod the

path of sacrifice."
Spectator  (Hamilton, Vic) says:—

". . . abounds in strong manly sentiments

. . . . The poem entitled 'Dad'

expresses the thought that the

public are wont to overlook the

sacrifice of the fathers while singing

the praises of their soldier sons.

The feelings of the parents are skillfully

portrayed here."

Auckland Star says:— Doreen

reveals unsuspected depths of quiet 

humour, and her spouse is as quaint

as ever in his comments on human

virtues and foibles. There is a 

pretty story running through the

book.

Scottish Australasian says:—

" Much good will come out of the

circulation of Mr. Dennis's unique

mixture. of pathos and humour,

philosophy and love, and true

patriotism. Australia needs his

clear vision, his brotherliness, his

rugged but splendid philosophy,

and enlightenment as to how to get

the most out of life, which appears

to be by putting most into it for

others."
Singleton Argus says:— "His

local colour is always the real thing;

few, if any, have succeeded so well

as Mr Dennis in handling the interesting

people he has studied and 

described.
Salvation Army War Cry

(Wellington, N.Z.) says:—"It will

make an appeal to our readers such

as none of its predecessors have

done."
Timaru Post says:— "The spirit

is the spirit of his earlier books, and

it is safe to say Mr. Dennis will add

to his circle of admirers."
Graphic of Australia (Melbourne)

says:— "In places it is even better

than "The Songs of a Sentimental

Bloke.' Bill and Doreen are still

in the picture, and their neighbours

supply the writer with an opportunity

for painting some true Australian

types. . . . . There is that

about these lines that should hit

every Australian where he lives."
Sydney Morning Herald says:—

"Mr Dennis's fertility is inexhaustible

while the Sentimental Bloke 

is ever ready to speak the new

parts which his creator prepares for 

him . . . . . 'Digger Smith' has a very

genial philosophy, and a kindly

humour that is sometimes not far

from tears."

Spectator (Melbourne) says:—

" The immense popularity of this

Australian author will be enhanced

by this new story in verse. . . . .

There is the same quaint humour,

pathos, and keen insight into

human nature, and our readers will

appreciate the note which touches

on the deeper things of life."

Australian
War Memorial

DIGGER SMITH

Watercolour Illustration-see original document
I leaves him with the dyin' day,

Dreamin' an' doubtin' still. . .

 

DIGGER SMITH

By C.J. Dennis
Watercolour Illustration-see original document
SYDNEY. Angus & Robertson Ltd
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
PRINTED RECORDS

To Lydea

With All love

From Stell & Beckett.

DIGGER SMITH
By

C. J.DENNIS

Author of "Songs of a Sentimental Bloke," "Doreen," "The Moods

of Ginger Mick, " " The Glugs of Gosh," "Backblock Ballads,"

"Jim of the Hills," etc.
Illustrated by Hal Gye.
SYDNEY

ANGUS & ROBERTSON LTD.

89 CASTLERREAGH STREET

1920

Twentieth Thousand
10596
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
PRINTED RECORDS

 

First Edition, November, 1918

Reprinted, with slight alterations, January, 1919,

April, 1920

Printed by W.C. Penfold & Co. Ltd., 88 Pitt Street, Sydney
Dramatic, Cinema and all other Rights are reserved.

 

TO THE A.I.F.

CONTENTS

 

I.      BEFORE THE WAR                                       . Page

      "Before the war," she sighs. "Before the

        war" . . .                                                               11

II.     DUMMY BRIDGE

        " If I'd 'a' played me Jack on that there Ten" . . .  19

III.    DAD

       I've knowed ole Flood this last five years or

       more . . .                                                               27

IV.   DIGGER SMITH

       'E calls me Digger; that's 'ow 'e begins . . .         35

 V.   WEST

        "I've seen so much uv dirt an' grime . . .            43

VI.   OVER THE FENCE   

        'Taint my idea uv argument to call a man a

         fool . . .                                                             51

VII.   A DIGGER'S TALE.

        " ' My oath!' the Duchess sez. 'You'd not

         ixpect . . .                                                         57

 

  CONTENTS

 

VIII.  JIM'S GIRL                                                                   Page

         " ' Oo is that girl," sez Digger Smith                               65

  IX.    THE BOYS OUT THERE

         "Why do they do it? I dunno" . . .                                   73

   X.    HALF A MAN

          "I wash me 'ands uv 'im," I tells 'em, straight . . .         81

 XI.      SAWIN' WOOD

            I wondered wot was doin'. First I seen . . .                    87

 XII.     JIM

            "Now, be the Hokey Fly!" sez Peter Begg . . .           93

XIII.     A SQUARE DEAL

            "Dreamin'?" I sez to Digger Smith . . .                      101

            GLOSSARY                                                              109

 

1.  BEFORE THE WAR