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The Spirit of the Murray single work   poetry   "A thousand memories crowd upon the mind"
Note:

Although bibliographic sources indicate that the author of this poem is 'Cuique', correspondence from 'Cuique', published in the South Australian Magazine about the finding of the manuscript, states that the author is unknown. The author is probably 'Cuique' or whomever that pseudonym is disguising.

Issue Details: First known date: 1842... 1842 The Spirit of the Murray
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Unfinished when publication ceased. A lengthy poem said to have been amongst 'Manuscripts Recently Discovered On the Banks of the Murray'. Begins by describing trip to Australia, arrival etc,. but mostly consists of interesting versions of aboriginal songs and legends, it was evidently very popular since in the 'To Correspondents' notices in II, 8, 1843, the editor wrote 'We trust our friend "Cuique" will furnish us with the continuation of the "Spirit of the Murray" as regularly as may consist with his convenience. We know that many of our readers will look for it very anxiously.' (Webby)

Notes

  • A letter to the editor, published in the South Australian Magazine, March, 1842, from a correspondent, 'Cuique', claiming to be the finder of the manuscript describes the poem and its discovery; 'Within was a mass of ... papers ... labelled 'Secret Correspondence' ... At the bottom was a quantity of loose paper, on which verses were scribbled in every possible variety of metre ... I fancied however, that a connection existed between many of the verses, and eventually discovered, that the author had been composing a tale of considerable length ... and that the lighter portions are intended to intersperse the work ... [I]n the infancy of our colonial literature, we must not despise even the contributions of mediocrity, and therefore have determined to arrange them in parts ... and send them, that your more experienced judgment may decide as to their fate.' (292-293)
  • Poem includes footnotes.
  • Errata published in the Monthly Record section of the South Australian Magazine vol. 1 no. 9 (May and June, 1842): 352.
  • Correspondence from 'Cuique' indicates that the poem is probably incomplete.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1842
Serialised by: The South Australian Magazine 1841 periodical (20 issues)
Notes:
Serialised in five instalments in the South Australian Magazine vol. 1, no. 8 (March and April, 1842): 293-298; vol. 1, no. 10 (July, 1842): 390-394; vol. 1, no. 12 (September, 1842): 468-472; vol.2, no.1 (October 1842): 19-23; vol. 2, no. 8 (October and November, 1843): 333-336.
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Works about this Work

Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1843 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , [October and November] vol. 2 no. 8 1843; (p. 331-332)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , October vol. 2 no. 1 1842; (p. 18-19)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , September vol. 1 no. 12 1842; (p. 467-468)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , July vol. 1 no. 10 1842; (p. 389-340)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , March and April vol. 1 no. 8 1842; (p. 292-293)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , March and April vol. 1 no. 8 1842; (p. 292-293)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , July vol. 1 no. 10 1842; (p. 389-340)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , September vol. 1 no. 12 1842; (p. 467-468)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1842 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , October vol. 2 no. 1 1842; (p. 18-19)
Manuscripts Recently Discovered on the Banks of the Murray 'Cuique' , 1843 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The South Australian Magazine , [October and November] vol. 2 no. 8 1843; (p. 331-332)
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (5)
Last amended 7 Sep 2010 14:37:34
Subjects:
  • Murray River,
  • South Australia,
  • 1840s
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