7. Kendall, Henry, 1839-1882
Orara : an illustrated poem / by Henry Kendall. (Melbourne : Art Union of Victoria, 1881)
Kendall had many similarities to Harpur. He too was born in New South Wales, and was unable to earn sufficient money to support himself and his family, although recognised as a talented poet. As well as the lyrics for which he is remembered Kendall also wrote satirical and political poems, one of which, “The song of Ninian Melville”, caused the first edition of Songs from the mountains to be withdrawn and re-issued with the anodyne “Christmas Creek” printed in its place. Both variants are held at Monash. In 1881, towards the end of his short life the Art Union of Victoria published a de luxe edition of one of his poems, Orara accompanied by engravings. Douglas Sladen, the most prominent of the early champions of the Australian poets, compared Kendall to Shelley and Keats (A century of Australian song (1888), p. 8-9) Discounting the early enthusiasm for his lyric gifts we can still appreciate Kendall’s ability to evoke the Australian bush in such works as “Bell birds” (Leaves from Australian forests, p. 45-47)
