POET'S LICENSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 15

POET'S LICENSE.

WILLIAM WATSON'S MIND SAID TO BE UNHIJs'GED. Mr K. Wataon, brother of the poet, Mr William Watson, lias made a remarkable statement to an interviewer In Montreal. Bβ Is eald to hare stated fliat the poet Iβ not responsible In hip present mental condition, which condition prevailed when he wrote the poem entitled "Tai Woman with the Serpent's Tongue." . Mr Watson declares that bis brother is suffering as be did In 1892, when he conceived a hostility to persons of exalted position In England, and talked against them then as he now speaks and writes against this other distinguished family, who, for some unknown reason, have excited his aversion. Mr Watson stated in an Interview In New York that the poem was Inspired by conversations that he had with Mrs and Miss Asqulth.

In 1892, when" his health improved, Mr Watson declares his brother became again, the devoted friend of the people he had maligned. The same thing is happening now, according to Mr Wateon, In his brother's attack on those referred to in the poem, which has aroused th« Interest and condemnation of co many, both in England, and America.

Owing to this poem and the Interviews that Mr William Watson has given In this country slnee his arrival here, two weeks ago, there can be no doubt that the poet's reputation has very greatly suffered, but the exceedingly frank statement of his brother, It Is now felt, will cause sympathy to be shown him, and a reversal of any harsh Judgment

Indeed, Mr H. Watson asks the public cot to Judge his brother, but to wait until his health is restored, whan he himself will be the first to condemn and regret .what he has said. .'.-.- . ;

"He Is dominated at the present moment," says tie poefe brother, "by a belief that he has a mlaslon of hoetlllty to certain people, and has said terrible, things about them, which have'no manner of justification or' defence, and which, apparently put the author of them beyond the pale of toleration! He, however, Is not responsible for these stateare the outcome of a mental malady, which It is painful to speak about.

"It Jβ impossible to state what is the cause of my brother's present aberration of mind, for I do not know, but to those' who carefully read and analyse his 'Sonnets to Miranda , a suggestion may appear. Bnglieh literature contains little that is fuller of tragic personal human Interest" Mr William Watson and Uβ -wife hay* left New York. i •••••::.