The shadows lengthen, and, to me, it seems Apocalyptic glories gild the West; My feeble hands toy with a million dreams And weave into this web those I love best.

DREAMS AT SUNSET

BY

F. W. BOREHAM

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION

Every now and again I receive a letter bearing a New Zealand postmark. Each such letter contains a photograph. I always examine the picture carefully before reading the epistle. It invariably represents an old couple, grew, furrowed and bent, but looking extremely happy. I know instinctively that it marks a Golden Wedding. But whose? I scan the wrinkled faces for a clue; but seldom find one. I like to think that these tired veterans, amidst the rejoicings with which they review the fifty years, have given a thought to the minister who, half a century ago, disentangled their love-affairs and officiated at their weddings. After so long an interval it is a moving experience to see my Mosgiel brides and bridegrooms again in this new guise. What memories do these old people cherish? What thoughts are they thinking? What dreams are they dreaming in the sunset? I wonder.

F. W. Boreham
Kew, Victoria,
Australia
3rd March, 1954

Part One

1. Dreams at Sunset

2. Spots on the Sun

3. The Hungry Dice

4. The Laureate of the Larrikin

5. The Saratoga

6. A Total Eclipse

7. The Silver Trumpets

8. The Avon and the Yarra

9. The SergeantMajor’s Love-Story

10. A Son of the Synagogue

11. The Chaplet of Ariadne

Part Two

1. A Baby’s Baggage

2. Earth’s Longest Day

3. Born to the Lancet

4. The Instinct of Saviourhood

5. A Four-Cornered Romance

6. The Priest of the Street-Corner

7. Grilled Mice at Midnight

8. The Poker Face

9. Green Pastures and Still Waters

Part Three

1. The Father of the Man

2. The Music Master

3. The Ideal Congregation

4. There were Six Brothers

5. An Iliad in Ebony

6. The Undersongs of Life

7. The Soul of a Solitary

8. The Cardinal’s Violin

9. Lavender and Old Lace

10. The Mystery of Mysteries

CONTENTS

PART I

I. OLD ENVELOPES … 11

II. ‘WHISTLING JIGS TO MILESTONES‘ … 22

III. THE FRONT-DOOR BELL … 35

IV. THE GREEN CHAIR … 46

V. LIVING DOGS AND DEAD LIONS … 57

VI. NEW BROOMS … 67

VII. A GOOD WIFE AND A GALLANT SHIP … 78

PART II

I. ODD VOLUMES … 91

II. O’ER CRAG AND TORRENT … 101

III. THE PRETENDER … 113

IV. ACHMED‘S INVESTMENT … 124

V. SATURDAY … 134

VI. THE CHIMES … 145

VII. ‘BE SHOD WITH SANDALS‘ … 156

PART III

I. WE ARE SEVEN … 169

II. THE FISH-PENS … 181

III. EDGED TOOLS  … 192

IV. OLD PHOTOGRAPHS … 202

V. A BOX OF BLOCKS … 214

VI. PIECRUST … 226

VII. ALL‘S WELL THAT ENDS WELL … 235

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