6 APRIL 1944, Page 18

Rich-Hearted Countryman

IN Sir William Beach Thomas's own words, his task as a journalist has been to bring the breath of the country into English newspapers ; and certainly he fulfils this task in a most masterly manner. His latest book, which is more in the nature of a collection of personal essays than a strict autobiography, goes some may towards explaining Sir William's success as a writer of the manifold life of the country- side. Originally, of course, it all dates back to that country vicarage where he had the good fortune to be born. With a pioneering father he hunted on foot as well as on ponies ; and if this way he saw less of the sport, he also saw more of the fox. " Life would be half-bled of meaning," he says in his Introduction, "without the background of irresponsible days in a country home " ; and who can doubt it was in those early days the certainty was engendered in him that the village is the true basis of English life? " The village," he was afterwards to write, " is the ideal place for the nursery of man. The houses that cluster below the church tower are more than pretty and picturesque, they stand for a unit of civilised life beyond compare."

Shrewsbury. also had its share in shaping this rich mind. Looking back he may shy a little at the " tyranny of games " as pursued in our public schools ; but he is quick to add that they are "incredibly pleasant places and nurseries of friendship." And few have had more friends, both named and unnamed, famous and unknown, than Sir William. But when all is said, perhaps the real secret of his success lies in the possession of a superb tolerance. His is the gift of finding honey in all flowers, in all weathers. Not surprisingly his favourite quotation is Wordsworth's " deep power of joy." If life seems particularly to have smiled on him perhaps this is largely due to his own ability to discover that smile and full-heartedly to respond to it. Such a man rides no hobby-horse ; and it is typical of this poet-naturalist that his last chapter, which is concerned with post-war rural planning, should favour " development from the past, not divorce from it." " Progress in transport," Sir William says, " in communication, in the whole standard of our life, now demands central help and organisation ; but its end should be to enhance, not supplant,_local endeavour and pride. Better farming means bigger villages, and in them may come into being scattered, industries and busier crafts. Beauty will grow almost of itself, for beauty must be live, not static." And, it may be added, if ever this desirable con- summation should be achieved in England, much will be due to such wise and informed writers as " B. T." who have used our newspapers to spread among townsman and countryman alike a righter attitude