MORE ABOUT SHAKESPEARE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 September 1912, Page 3

MORE ABOUT SHAKESPEARE.

Theatre Royal, Utopia, Realms of Bliss To the Editor. Sir, —Again it has been my good fortune to obtain a copy of your valuable publication, and 1 note with, keen satisfaction that the virtuous Master Hudson still retains his interest in my humble self. It is unfortunate, however, that he has allowed himself to be deceived by a namesake of mine, at present undergoing reformative treatment in another sphere. I am afraid it will be some time before I make the acquaintance of the latter, though he asserts that he hopes to be in residence here shortly. In this connection I thought at first that I noticed a decrepancy in his account of his present surroundings, for he remarked that very few of the Labour Party found their way there, j and as there are none here, I wondered where they had got to. But I see, on closer perusal, that he admits the existence of . a third locality —a sort of Home for Incurables —which will probably account for the absent ones. I know of this place by hearsay only, for none of its inmates ever reach these precincts. But my real object in writing to you was to ask you to exert your influence upon Master Hudson to publish some of his exquisite poems, so that others besides himself may benefit therefrom. The memory of the ineffably sweet verses with which he concluded his precious letter to you still lingers with me. lam joined in this request by each of the four poets, whose works he mentioned as being superior to my own (as of course, they undoubtedly are), and also by others, of whom he may not have heard, namely, Homer, Virgil, Goethe, Milton, Dante, and Shelly. Byron and Burns, the rascals, have not yet arrived here, having been compelled first to atone for certain indiscretions and follies of their youth ; but we hope to have them with us before long. Do you think you could use your persuasive arts, Mr Editor, to good purpose ? If so, you will be conferring an inestimable boon, not only on mankind, but also on the worthy gentlemen mentioned above, amongst the least of whom begs to be included, Your most humble servant, William Shakespeare. [We have much pleasure in acceding to our correspondent's request, and beg to inform Mr Hudson that we can offer him a special line for distribution in Bvo. pamphlet form, printed most daintily in violet ink, at 5/6 per page per 100, and we shall still be pleased to receive further contributions on the subject. —Ed]