Laureate genius. Abolition was similarly advocated when Thomas Warton and William Wordsworth died. The poet laureate, being a court official, was considered responsible for producing formal and appropriate verses on birthdays and state occasions; but his activity in this respect has varied, according to circumstances, and the custom ceased to be obligatory after Pye's death. Wordsworth stipulated, before accepting the honor, that no formal effusions from him should be considered a necessity; but Tennyson was generally happy in his numerous poems of this class. The emoluments of the post have varied; Ben Jonson first received a pension of 100 marks, and
Martha's Vineyard Poet Laureate Reisman also writes a column, "The Washashore Chronicles", for the local Vineyard Gazette newspaper. He spends his spare time writing plays, walking his dog, and composing poetry. One of the first community based projects Arnie Reisman initiated as MV Poet Laureate, was to create and host a monthly "Poetry Cafe'" at the newly renovated Vineyard Playhouse. While hosting the Poetry Cafe', Reisman blends interludes of his poetry with that of three poets selected from the island poetry community. The hour-and-a-half event includes social time with deserts and beverages before and after the event's poetry readings. Martha's Vineyard has a history