" SIR HUGH IN BARBARY '? [To the Editor of
T7. SPSPECTATOR.erATOR Snt,:---Whiist no self-respecting .author would wish to avoid constructive criticism, he is entitled to object to the inaccuracy both in Point of fact and by implication vihigh characterised the review of my poem " Sir Hugh in Barbary " which appeared in your issue of August 28th. ;,.- Firstly -the credentials ;of. a reviewer who - approaches serious poetry for the fun. to .be got output. it may with good reason be questioned. This being your reviewer's attitude, it is not surprising., that he makes no attempt to appraise the book as Poetry beyond quoting one ' short colloquial excerpt which; -being-out of its, context, is not fairly repre- sentative. Instead - he indulges in very vulgai flippaliby because my hero does not appeal to him. *With this bee in his bonnet -he -proceeds 'to substitute for legitimate- literary Briticism a Series- of 'futile' inaccuracies.' He' states that Sir Hiigb takes a " swig " (elegant- phrase !) of water (if it' be water) every ten or -twelve' pages. " ' " Now this statement is *either drie to culpable 'carelessness or deliberate 'inisrepreSentatiOii.' Stir Hugh drinks twice,' of pagCS 1- and 35. As I clearly state that lie drinks. water, the cheap insinuation that he does not is a piece of Perverted childishness. .EVen if the MOsletris ignored iViabomet's piecept themselves;(11ey would not waste' ivine'on a valueless
captiVe, Whilst a poOr Arab girl Would certainly not be able . • .
to supply it Again, your reviewer insinuates that the reason Sir Hugh is not ransomed is because he is a bore. _This is another piece of cheap vulgarity. Apart froni the difficulty Of communications in the early fourteenth century, the reason is clearly stated in the -text.-alt hiS kith. and kin were dead, piecerOf childishness is the assumption, that Fatma is ketit standing on tiptoe throughout. Whilst she would stand on tiptoe at pages 1 and 35, she would naturally after Sir Hvigh had &link resume a normal position. „thiS is only conuor sense.—Yours faithfully,
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