and was much more interested in literature than in the law
when the lure of gold brought him to Australia in 1853.
Himself a well-read man and a writer of very fair verse, he recognized
the decided promise of Kendall's work and gave him a place in his office.
In spite of their disparity in years they became friends,
and Kendall undoubtedly derived great benefit from Michael's influence
and from the use of his library. When in 1861 Michael left Sydney
for Grafton, Kendall either accompanied him or joined him soon afterwards.
He did not, however, stay long at Grafton. He found employment at Dungog
on the Williams River; afterwards went to Scone, where he worked
for a month or two, and then made his way back to Sydney.

Restive over the long delay in publication, and anxious to get
a critical estimate of his work, Kendall in January, 1862, made copies
of some pieces and sent them to the `Cornhill Magazine' with a letter
pleading for special consideration on account of the author's youth
and the indifference of Australians to anything produced
in their own country. A reduced facsimile of this interesting letter
is printed here. {In this etext, the letter has been transcribed
and is included at the end of this section.} Thackeray was editor
of `Cornhill' up to April, 1862, but may not have seen this pathetic appeal
from the other side of the world. At any rate, no notice of it was taken
by `Cornhill', and in July of the same year Kendall sent a similar letter
with copies of his verses to the `Athenaeum'. The editor printed
the letter and some of the poems, with very kindly comments,
in the issue of 27th September, 1862.

In October, 1862, before this powerful encouragement reached
the young writer, `Poems and Songs' was published in Sydney
by Mr. J. R. Clarke. `The Empire' published a favourable review.