Creatures of a brave new world
Philip Glazebrook
THE DRAKE MANUSCRIPT IN THE PIERPOINT MORGAN LIBRARY introduced by Verlyn Klinkenborg Deutsch, £39.95, pp. 272 This surprising and beautiful book pre- sents the facsimile of a 16th-century French manuscript illustrating the natural history and native life of the West Indies at the time of Francis Drake's voyages among those islands. It is possibly the work of a Huguenot sailor. There are 62 unexciting botanical drawings before the sailor is let loose among the fish and begins to get into his stride. Every fish and every bird and animal in the 89 illuminations dealing with the natural history of the islands has a face expressive of a rich emotional life. Even the molluscs have expressive shells. But it is in his pictures of human life that the artist excels himself; 43 strong and dramatic figure drawings of all manner of activities meticulously depicted, from refining silver to the treatment of poisoned arrow wounds. It is an extraordinary feat, a little like a bestiary in its effect, and a little like an illuminated manuscript in its blend of sophistication with naivety, but a work of art not obviously linked to the painting or drawing of its day. The only stylistic influ- ence I could detect was that of the illustra- tor of Struwwelpeter.
It is a danger with books of this kind that you fall for the pictures and turn the leaves From the final section of the manuscript, depicting the domestic life of the Indians. 'In each village there is only one tribe, and they do not permit others . . . in the village. They choose the eldest among them to be called "Casique", who is like a king, whom they obey in everything.' He is recognised by the gold ring in his nose and gold band around his forehead. without looking up the meaning of the decorative script. Better to approach the book the other way, first reading the trans- lations at the back end as a continuous text describing life in the West Indies in Drake's day, turning now and then to the pictures to illuminate your reading.
Besides an informative introduction, the book has a foreword by Patrick O'Brian which expands the manuscript's context by its lively account of Drake and his era. It is a work of art worthy of its age. Such a compilation of curious knowledge is the outcome of that era's dawning impulse to explore and to preserve what is marvellous; the same impulse which made Queen Elizabeth give orders for the conservation of The Golden Hind, surely the first ship in history to be laid up to preserve its fame.
To order a copy of this book at the special discount price of £32, call The Spectator Bookshop on 0181 324 5500.
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