It's funny, Susan. We were discussing the Victorian pre-occupation with the 'Noble Savage' only about 3 or 4 hours ago. HRH is a super example of the same.

Firstly, I must point out that I do love his work and my formative years were spent imagining the Veldt that Hunter Quatermain saw down the sights of his Henry Martini. I wanted to add Haggards work to my library of things to read and re-read but was very disappointed to discover that I could only download these works.

Next, when I did re-read them, I found a whole scope of descriptive narrative as vivid and fresh as they day they first appeared. But the attitude to not only the 'Savage' but to non-English members of the world (Remember the cook - Alphonse was it?) probably prohibits his works being as widespread as it used to be.

I find nothing wrong with his portrayal of Umslopogas's (sp?) undying loyalty to the white hunter, bearing in mind attitudes prevelant at the time, but in this age I can fully understand why people are a little coy about accepting the works.

That being said I do believe that my life, as a youngster, was enriched by visiting King Solomons mines rather than corrupted into believing that Quartermain was somehow better, or worse, than his African contemporaries! Maybe if more people understood that these were wonderful works of fiction and that attitudes were not always what they are today we could be in a position to enjoy early escapism more? Maybe we could appreciate the type of sentiment expressed in your example. And maybe learn from our ancestors?

Cheers

Dave