"IDLER" AND "THE LAUREATE." A REJOINDER.

West Coast Times, Issue 3233, 4 February 1876, Page 2

" IDLER" AND " THE LAUREATE ." A REJOINDER.

(To the Editor,)

Sib, — The recent stupid attack of ■" Idler " on my latest effusion is such as .could only proceed from one of ah envious and malevolent spirit, and would have re|mained unnoticed but that it might be thought I was cowed by one whose own writings are beneath criticism,

But this is the common lot of humanity ; ,the greatest as well as the humblest of literary men have often felt the sting of some ignoble scribe, who, either unable to comprehend, or too blunted by prejudice to perceive any merit in a contemporary author, has endeavored to enhance his .own prbftuctions by covering with opproibium the Writings of a more successful rival. Thus, like the monstrous python, which, having crushed its struggling Victim, covers the mangled form with its oWn 9lim'e to assist the process of deglutition.

D "t, &r, it was my misfortune when in Victoria, where I had won some trifling honors, to be assailed by an anonymous scribe with far more bitterness even than by " Idler," whom in my defence I compared ,to the base-born Teucer, who sent fotth ;his deadly shafts amongst the heroes of Troy, whilst he stood concealed behind the seven-fold shield of Ajax, as he in a cowardly manner endeavored to slaughter my " heroics ; " but I silenced him by my next effusion, Which, by your permission, for the benefit of " Idler " and others I, , append — How vain are the struggles for fame, Which envious mortals can sully, Such dastards would cover with ehan^, ' The beauties of Horace or Tully. But hushed as the bright mirrored sea Ere lafehed into rage by the storm, ' As leaves of the forest ere flee, v The love-breathing zephyrs of morn ; So calm is my spirit — though wrong My honor' and fame would assail ; But armed with the Spirit of Song Triumphant my lays shall prevail. I have charmed from the sprjqg-tide of youth The lovely, the noble, the braye, And pure as jhe fountain of Truth, These honors shall tshine on my graye. Then envy, your poison restrain, Such malice prQvokes but a smile, Untarnished my laurels remain, £" The viper but gnaws at a file." Joijn Csos».