THE
FIFTH COMPETITION
THE EDITOR OFFERS A PRIZE OF f..5 FOR AN ORIGINAL WARNING IN SIX LINES OF VERSE.
WE should prefer to leave it at that ; but perhaps we should then be leaving our readers at a loss. Any kind of warning will suit ; but the more gruesome the better. We suggest the following examples—that the end of the world is at hand, that " this account is long overdue," that the water must be turned on before the gas is lit, that passengers should look .behind them before alighting, that it is forbidden to cross the line except by the bridge. - We shall be glad to receive warnings against excessive drinking, against the theft of a book, against lying, laziness or greed, against obstructing the constable in the execution of his duty or walking abroad in thunderstorms, against sleeping with the window shut, eating asparagus with -gingerbread, or leaving the key under the door-mat. A
• fertile invention will easily discover occasion for disaster. It may be that an instance would serve as a warning : in which _ease the poem would be an epitaph. It is to be hoped, how- ever, that both crime and penalty will be clearly stated. We shall allow competitors as much freedom as we can, and we .shall even consider patiently remarks upon the Yellow Peril, .9r the decay of morals.
' RULES FOR COMPETITORS
' 1. All- entries must be received on or before Friday, May 29th.
2. Competitors may send in as many entries as they wish,. but . :each entry must be accompanied by one of the coupons to be .found on page 823 of this issue.
3. The name and address (or the pseudonym) of every cOm- Ipetitor must be written clearly at the foot of his manuscript. - -
4. The Editor cannot return any manuscript submitted for ,the _competition, nor can he enter into correspondence with competitors.
5. The Editor reserves the right of printing any manuscript submitted. Envelopes must be addressed : Competition, the Spectator, -.1.3'York Street,-Covent Chu dea, -London; W.C.2.- •
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