ISAAC ROSENBERG : A CORRECTION. [To THE EDITOR OP THE
" SPECTATOR."] Srn,—In the just and sympathetic review of Isaac Rosenberg's Poems, which appeared in your issue of September 16th, Mrs. Williams-Ellis quotes the poem "Killed in Action" as being the poet's epitaph on himself. The poem in question appeared under Rosenberg's name in an art magazine some months after his death. His representatives had no knowledge of it; but so many of his poems existed only in copies given to acquaint- ances, and its tone is Ell like that of his detached references to himself, that I had no hesitation in including it in a selection of his work. I have, however, lately learnt that it was written by Rosenberg's intimate friend, Mr. Joseph Leftwich, and that it originally appeared as Rosenberg's by a misconception of the editor of the magazine to which Mr. Leftwich sent it, Rosenberg being then mentioned in- the title in a way that suggested his authorship. Though the poem appeared as a foundling; its excellence made me unwilling that Rosenberg should lose the credit of it when it appeared to be his, and the same reason now demands that it should in justice be restored to the young and promising poet who is its true author, and who in the future may very well do work that will make his praise of his friend of interest to his own admirers as well as to Rosenberg's.—Trusting you may be able to insert this cor- rection in an early number of the Spectator, I am, Sir, &c.,
The Shelling, Silverdale, Carnforth. Goanos Borrommr.
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