27 DECEMBER 1924, Page 12

COMPETITION

THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR " OFFERS A PRIZE OF £5 FOR AN ORIGINAL FOUR-LINE EPIGRAM ON " THE MODERN WORLD."

WE have observed for some years, in ourselves and our contemporaries, a growing failure of accomplished and economical wit ; and yet we were convinced that our age might somehow be found a proper subject for a satirist. Partly in order to amuse and occupy our readers during the Christmas holidays, and partly in the hope that we may discover an epigram- matist of the old school still amongst us, or a younger writer capable of throwing off solemnity and casti- gating or laughing at his own generation, we have determined to offer a prize for the neatest and most forcible picture of our own age in four lines of verse. 'Contributions may be sorrowful, savage, or Olympian-; we ask only that they should not be complacent.

We have set our time limit for entries rather late in order that readers at home may exercise themselves into good condition and readers abroad may have some chance of competing. We hope to publish the report and award in our first February issue ; but this will be possible only if competitors diligently observe the rules, and attach no comment or exegesis to their manuscripts. We shall receive type-written entries with gratitude, and legible hand-writing with equanimity.

Mr. J. St. Loe Strachey, the Editor of the Spectator, will judge the .contributions, assisted by a committee of selection. It must be understoodthat the Editor's decision is final.