POETRY OF PROOF READING.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3754, 8 January 1881, Page 4

POETRY OF PROOF READING.

Some writer has produced a poem, entitled " Sounds from the Sanctum.', It reads very pretty, but gives rise to the thought that the author never visited the sanctum .when business was in full blast. If he, had called at midnight for instance he would have seen two individuals, one .pouring over a proof .slip, the other holding the copy, and the sound would have been something like this :-— Proof-reader : " As flowers without the sunshine ■ fair — comma— so — comma — 'without you—comma —do I—full stop— breath a dark and dismal mare—"

Copy-holder: " Thunder I not mareair"

Proof-reader: " I breathe a dark and dismal air—comma —of flowers — comma—"

Copy-holder: -•' Shoot the comma." Proof-reader.- " 'Tis done. As flowers without the sunshine fair—semi-colon — confound slug seven, he nev.er justifies his lines-^-No joy in life—comma—no worms—" ;Copy-holder :" Warmth !" .3&jtf*reader: "N° warmth I share— coUMß'iind health and vigorous flies—" - C^jyfcoldor: "Blazes! Health and vigouFSy." > ' Proof-reader: " Health and vigour fly—full stop." That's about the sound of it when the poetry come/in.