FL4651436

Phelps' last letter to me was dated 20th October, 1899. It contained
ten pages. The conclusion was - "Pardon this long scrawl. Perhaps the
less you can decipher of it the better. And, pray, let me hear from you
soon.

"As ever yours,
"E. J. PHELPS."
______________________

Sonnet sent by me to E. J. Phelps in the last
letter I addressed to him.

Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit
Nulli flebilior quam mihi."
G. W.R.
______________________

IN MEMORIAM, 1900.

Carlyle and Ruskin! lights of a century fled,
Seers of the Truth and Beauty, - who could yearn
More for their kind than for themselves! Not dead
Are they, for still mankind my learn
The lessons of their mission: Italy
Loves him who shed new glory on her Art:
Oceans quench not the lurid prophecy
Of doom to them who basely play their part.
With reverence before God each launched his thought,
If, haply, he might touch with sympathy
His fellow-creatures, as Marconi sought
Invisible waves to aid his witchery.
From both have I felt pressure of my hand;
And for them both I bless my native land.

G. W. RUSDEN.

Melbourne,
March, 1900.