William Alexander Stephenson, Claude McKay and Walter Jekyll

“ McKay was as diffident to speak of his works as he was to speak of himself. Those who have seen his poems express themselves in the highest terms about them. There is a charming naivete in the love poems, and humour, and pathos: rollicking fun, too, when he lets himself go. His versatility is wonderful. He treats all sorts of subjects. ”

“ Claude McKay have just been dispatched to England and we may reasonably expect it to be in the hands of the public by Christmas.
"Judging from the interest taken in the poems by all and sundry to whom I have read them, I venture to predict great great popularity for the volume. It contains something for all tastes, for the versatility of the young author is remarkable. The love-songs, ten in number, , are charming in their simplicity: there is no straining after effect, and the result is that the maximum of effect is obtained. ”

“ There are 50 poems grave and gay in it, and it will be sold for the moderate sum of 2/- a copy. besides a portrait of the author there is an appendix with six tunes to six of the poems. These tunes are McKay's own composition and the publication will be awaited with interest.
Mr. Walter Jekyll who has taken a great deal of interest in the lad and his work, and whom there is no better judge writes:
OPINIONOF MR WALTER JEKYLL
"A notable addition to the literature of the island is about to appear. The corrected proofs of Songs of Jamaica, a volume of fifty poems by Mr. ”