THE MISSING POET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2512, 27 May 1909, Page 2

THE MISSING POET.

ME, JOHN DAVIDSON

The relatives of Mr John Davidson, the missing poet (says a recent English paper) are still without news of lnm. The idea that ho has left the neighbourhood of Penzance tor a distant port, is not held, for the railway authorities are confident ho has not left the town by train. The -olico of the borough and county are making active inquiries, but nothin"- so far lias.been done m the way of "organised search. The foreshores are bein" watched, but the chief constable is convinced that Air Davidson is alive. A remarkable fact is that, although Mr Davidson had spent nearly three years in Penzance, scarcely anyone outside his own family had any knowledge of his identity. . , , ' It has been ascertained that on tne Tuesday evening, after posting a parcel or his poems in MSS., ho dropped into the Star Hotel, Penzance, and had a glass of whisky. He was not in the house more than two or three, minutes. Mr Davidson had previously visited the hotel, never entering the public rooms,, but being served with a glass of whisky from a counter in the inner passage. The police are making inquiries alnog the roads and mo ore between Penzance and the village of Morvali, on the north coast, to which Air. Davidson was fond of walking. On one occasion while absorbed in thought ho walked over a raised terrace at Penzance, but suffered no serious injury. Mr Davidson -was chemist, analyst, clerk, and .teacher as well as poet before fame came to him. A Scotsman, ho had no delusion that ability to write fine verse ensured an immediate and constant livelihood. Ho was born at Barrhead fifty-three years ago, the son of a, minister, went to school at Greenock, and .attended one session at Glasgow University. Then he became assistant in the chemical laboratory of a Greenock firm of sugar refiners, - and in 1871-82 was assistant analyst for the town. This experience coloured his writings, and many of liis similes are of the laboratory. For four years from 1872 lie taught in an academy at Greenock; similar posts at Glasgow, Perth, lvelvinsido, and Paisley followed - and then he became a clerk with a Glasgow! thread firm. Later ho returned to teaching at Croiff and Greenock. In IS9O he went to London, whore most of his endurin" work was done. He wrote reviews and articles for the Glasgow Herald and the Speaker until his poetry attracted attention. In Scotland he had published a few books. After removing to London “Tlie_ Fleetstreet Eclogues” (1893 and 1895) first brought him prominently in the public eve. He wrote one highly successful play, “For the Crown” : but “The Tlieatroerat.” which lie published in 1905, is a study play, a didactic, unactable., heterodox thing. Mr Davidson is n man unafraid to state his opinions forcibly, and occasionallv has como into sharp conflict with the spirit of the moment. . One of the significant facts of his disappearance is that his favorite recreation is walking long distances. In his most recent work, too, occur these verses —possibly prophetic: — HTy feet are lieavv now. but on I go, Mv head erect beneath the tragic years. The wav is steep, hut I would liaie it. so And dusty, but I lay the dust with

tears. Though none can see me weep, alone 1

climb - The rugged path that leads me out ot

time. . . And out of all singing, yet m sun ancl rain, _ , . , ■I and toe, from dawn to dusk, round the world and home again.

T felt the world on iU nave ; T felt it sheering blindly round the sun. T felt the time had come, to find a grave ; I knew it in my heart my days were

done. T took my staff in hand; I tom< the road. And wandered out to seek mv last

abode. „ , ~ 0 . Hearts of gold and hearts of lead! bmg it vet in sun and rain : TJeel and tne, fmm dark to dusk, round the world and home again.