[ Andrew Lang, as literary editor of Longman's Magazine. ] Autograph Note in the third person by Lang, rejecting a poem by Mary F. May; with the manuscript poem, titled 'Marie | (From the German of R. Gottshall [sic])'.

Both items in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: Autograph Note by Andrew Lang. 1p., 12mo. Reads: 'With Mr Lang's Compliments, and regrets that he has no room for the translation from the German. TWO: May's translation of the poem 'Marie' by Rudolf von Gottschall' ('Marie, am Fenster sitzest du'), titled 'Marie | (From the German of R. Gottshall [sic])'. 1p., 8vo. The translation is attributed at the end to 'M.' Beneath this is written the name and address of 'Mary F. May | The Grange. Elstree. Hants. | 14th. Jan: 1891.' A creditable effort, in two eight-line stanzas, the first of which reads: 'When Mary at the window sits, | My dearest, gentlest maid, | To see the flowers' playful effort | By evening breezes swayed: | The passing wand'rer bows his head | And breathes a silent prayer:; | Thou art a prayer thyself, dear child, | So holy, pure, & fair.' The poem does not appear to have been published. On Frank May's death the New York Times reported (10 February 1897) that in 1893 he 'suddenly resigned after a mysterious meeting of the Board of Directors, and for several days exciting rumours circulated in London that something was wrong with the finances. The real facts came out slowly, and they showed that May had induced the officers of the bank to lend money on doubtful securities, the collapse of which caused a loss to the institution of about £50,000'.