11 MAY 1956, Page 31

The well-known Lallans Makar, Mr. Sydney Goodsir Smith, uttered strong

words recently about the Burns Federa- tion's 'mummification' of the national poet as an appendage to the tourist drive. 'Of course,' he said, 'we are not unique; Eng- land has its Stratford-on-Avon, which is a more vulgar display of unashamed daylight robbery than anything in Scotland.' A prize of six guineas is offered for a verse epistle on the subject (maximum thirty lines) front Burns to Shakespeare or vice versa.

Entries, addressed 'Spectator Competition No. 326,' 99 Gower Street, London, WC1, must be received by May 22. Results on

June 1.