14 JUNE 1884, Page 15

A POET'S CHANGE FOR THE WORSE. [To THE EDITOR OF

THE " SPECTATOR."' Sul,—In your review of "A Poet's Portfolio" in the Spectator of May 31st, you quote the following stanza from Matthew Arnold's " Euphrosyne" :— " On one she smiles, and he was blest;

She smiles elsewhere, we make a din ! But 'twas not love which heaved her breast, Fair child ! it was the bliss within."

This was in the former edition :— " It was not love that heaved thy breast, Fair child ! it was the bliss within. Adieu! and say that one, at least, Was just to what he could not win."

This change is the worst instance I have ever seen of a poet's

alteration of his own work.—I am, Sir, &c., M.