28 FEBRUARY 1958, Page 7

I DO NOT ENVY Mr. Edwin Muir his task in

deciding which three unknown British poets are to be hauled from obscurity, in order that their works may be published in a book by Eyre and Spottiswoode; I imagine that he will be inun- dated with contributions long before the deadline of April 23. Although I do not feel it is quite as hard to get into print as most aspiring poets believe, it is none the less a public-spirited gesture of the publishers, and I hope it will be successful. What with the Guinness awards for unpublished poetry (the Cheltenham Prizes, for which entries have to be in by June 2 to the Festival Organiser. Cheltenham Town Hall) and with Schweppes backing a Royal Court play, patronage is come again.

PHAROS