Company I Have Kept

Henry S. Salt

Publisher: George Allen & Unwin, London
Published: 1930
Length: 222
Format: Hardback

Summary

Company I Have Kept by Henry S. Salt offers a richly varied tapestry of the people, places, and ideas that shaped his life. Salt’s “company” extends beyond notable human figures to animals, wildflowers, and the natural beauty of mountains. In this collection of essays, the reader is transported to the Shrewsbury of the 1850s, Eton and Cambridge in the following decades, and the early socialist awakening. Salt provides a lighter, often humorous glimpse into his humanitarian efforts, affectionately recalling his “affable conflict” with what he termed the “Savages.”

Prominent figures such as John Ruskin, George Meredith, W.H. Hudson, Mahatma Gandhi, Edward Carpenter, Bernard Shaw, H.M. Hyndman, and Prince Kropotkin make appearances throughout the book. These intellectuals, reformers, and activists not only influenced Salt but also formed the core of his lifelong journey in promoting humanitarian ideals.

Written with Salt’s characteristic urbane style, the book balances sharp philosophical insights with gentle humour. He reflects on the beauty of wildflowers, the landscapes of the South Downs, and his encounters with well-known personalities, offering readers a delightful blend of intellectual rigour and personal warmth.

The Times review praises Salt’s ability to dispute without offence and draws attention to his delightful anecdotes, highlighting the humour that pervades this volume. Whether readers are familiar with Salt’s earlier works or new to his writing, Company I Have Kept is a compelling and insightful journey through the relationships and ideas that shaped this remarkable thinker.