LETTER FROM THE POET LAUREATE

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 6

LETTER FROM THE POET LAUREATE

From the reading of a passage in Mr .lohn Masefield’s poem ‘ Dauber,’ Mr A. Silvie. of Carlton, was inspired to make a ship's bell laniard; an art in which Mr Silvie, a retired mariner, lias specialised (says the ( Melbourne ‘ Age ’). A friend forwarded the laniard to the Poet Laureate, from whom Mr Silvie has received the following letter “ Pinbury Park. Cirencester. “ March 7, 19135. “ Dear Mr Silvie,—Mr Harris has sent me your very kind gift of the ship's bell layiard. iam delighted' to see tliis excellent piece of work, and thank you for your thought in sending it to me. “i hope you will not he offended if J hand it on to others. There is' at Geelong a school which has for its hell the forecastle bell of the famous ship Samuel Plimsoll, now an old hulk at, I think, Fremantle. At present this famous bell is pulled' by a piece of string or clothes line, T would like your excellent laniard to take the place of this indignity. I shall like to think of your laniard swinging on this famous clapper for years to conic. “ With many, many thanks and all good wishes, —Yours sincerely, “ John Maskfikld.”