Apart from being a Suffolk gentleman, a poet and the famous translator of the Rubayat of Omar Khyyam, old Fitz was also a Herring Fisherman, at least as a sleeping partner in the Woodbridge boat The Scandal. The captain was the well known Joseph Fletcher, affectionately given the name "Posh" by Fitz. This book gives an account of the relationship of the two men, basically a business partnership built on an affectionate liking and trust. The one weakness of Posh, thought of by Fitz as a fine fellow of a man, well above him in so many ways, was drink....and eventually the problems this caused and the casual approach to record keeping led to the partnership falling apart. When this book was written, Posh was still alive and somewhat of a celebrity because of his frienship with Fitz. The feel and essence of the book comes across as very genuine and very sympathetic to all parties. It is a book about deep personal respect despite very different backgrounds and Fitz was always happy to invest his money in support of their venture, with the interersts of Posh and his wife and children very much to the fore.
There are sixteen illustrations and we have visited all the places shown and most still survive. The story of Edward FitzGerald we have followed closely, as my Great Uncle Ernest William FitzGerald (once Medical Officer of Health for Southport) and his wife Elsie started us on the path of discovery. Through the behaviour patterns of the FitzGeralds I knew and through all of the available published letters there is an internal consistency and without doubt a highly considerate honesty that pervaes the whole.
An excellent and fascinating addition to our library, admittedly highly specialised, but such is the nature of specialised interests.
