spirit, and greater freedom of thought. In regard to prejudice and superstition, the satirical and comic features of many of Burns' pieces have had a very beneficial effect upon the mind of the people. In conjunction with other influences, these have contributed greatly to enlighten the understanding, and thus enabled the people to banish from their minds a host of delusive and absurd fears.11 Touching liberty and independence, the writings of Burns are clear and emphatic. His own manly spirit of independence often shows itself in many forms in his poems and songs; and in this connection their influence upon the people have been considerable. Even politically his writings have had a beneficial influence in Scotland. "The Tree of Liberty," and that "a man is a man whatever his lot may be," with all the rights of humanity, were not written in vain. Thus the writings of Burns have contributed to the enlightenment of the national mind, by relieving it from a burden of obnoxious notions, slavish fears, and silly prejudices.12 11 For instance, in such pieces as his "Address to the Deil," though he adopted the common superstitions of the people concerning the attributes of Satan, the elements of the ludicrous, the sly humour, and the veins of satire and irony which he introduced, have produced surprising changes in the notions of the people. He even expressed a wish for the salvation of the Deil himself :"But fare-you-well, auld Nickie-ben! Oh! wad you tak' a thocht and men'! Still hae a stake: I'm wae to think upo' yon den, Even for your sake." 12 There are a number of what are usually called minor poets, but I can only notice a few of them. Alexander Wilson was born in Paisley on the 6th of July, 1766. He is the author of a number of songs and poems, including a humorous ballad-"Watty and Meg." A small volume of his songs and poems was printed at Paisley in 1790. In 1794 he emigrated to America, where he assiduously prosecuted the study of ornithology, and gained distinction as an ornithologist. He is the author of an important work on this branch of science. He died in 1813 in America. Some years ago Wilson's verse and miscellaneous prose were published by Mr. Gardner in two volumes. Hector Macneil was born in 1746, and died in 1818. He is the author of several productions in verse. In 1789, he published a legendary poem, "The Harp," and in 1795, his moral tale, "Scotland's Skaith" the object of this tale was to describe in a vivid manner the evil effects of intemperance, and the idea is pretty well worked out. Carolina Oliphant, Baroness Nairn, born in 1766, and died in 1845; she belonged to the Oliphants of Gask, and was much celebrated for her beauty, SECTION II. Poetry of the Nineteenth Century. Robert Tannahill, 13 a lyrical poet of high distinction, was a native of Paisley. His education was limited at an early age he was sent to the loom, and he continued to follow this occupation. He was a dutiful and kind son to his mother, full of the warmest filial piety. The first edition of his poems and songs appeared in 1807; and the volume, consisting of 900 copies, was sold out in a few weeks. He afterwards contributed some songs to Mr. Thomson's Select Melodies, and interested himself in collecting Irish airs, of which he was exceedingly fond. Many of his own songs are very fine, rich, and original in sentiment and description. His diction is copious, appropriate, and expressive, and often touching and pathetic. His "Gloomy Winter's noo Awa'" may be taken as a fair specimen of his songs :— "Gloomy winter's noo awa', Saft the wastlin breezes blaw: The mavis sings fu' cheerie O. Sweet the craw-flower's early bell My young, my artless dearie O. Come, my lassie, let us stray 'Midst joys that never wearie O. talents, and worth. She is the authoress of the two fine Scottish songs, "The Land o' the Leal," and "The Laird o' Cockpen." John Lowe, born in 1750, and died in 1798, is the author of the touching lyric, "Mary's Dream," beginning The moon had climbed the highest hill And from the eastern summit shed Her silver light on tower and tree." 13 Born in 1774; died in 1810. James Montgomery, though born at Irvine, in Ayrshire, in 1771, can hardly be called a Scottish poet, for he was educated in England, and afterwards lived there till his death in 1854. He is chiefly distinguished as a religious poet; but he was a man of marked ability and culture, and is the author of a large quantity of poetry. A collected edition of his works, in four volumes, was issued in 1841. Towering o'er the Newton woods, Adorn the banks sae brierie O. Round the sylvan fairy nooks Trees may bud, and birds may sing, Joy to me they canna bring, Unless wi' thee, my dearie O.” John Mayne was a native of Dumfries, 14 and was trained to the printing business. When an apprentice, in 1777, he published the germ of his "Siller Gun," in twelve stanzas. The subject of the poem is an old custom in Dumfries, called "Shooting for the Siller Gun ;" the gun itself is a small silver tube presented by James VI. to the incorporated trades as a prize to the best marksman. He continued to enlarge and improve the poem till the year of his death, when it was reprinted for the fourth time, and extended to five cantos. He is the author of some other pieces, including his ballad of "Logan Braes," which begins thus: "By Logan's streams, that rin sae deep, Fu' aft wi' glee I've herded sheep : Herded sheep and gathered slaes, Wi' my dear lad on Logan braes. But wae's my heart, thae days are gane, And I wi' grief may herd alane, While my dear lad maun face his faes, Far, far frae me and Logan braes." John Leyden was born at Denholm, (1775), in Roxburghshire, and the centenary of his birth was celebrated at Edinburgh, 1785. He was an oriental scholar of some note, as well as a poet. He was a persevering youth, and early manifested a taste for literature. He contributed to Lewis' Tales of Wonder, and to Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. In 1802, he published his poem entitled, "The Scenes of Infancy," and left Scotland for India. His career there was successful and honourable, but it was cut short by his death from fever in 1811. His poetical remains were published in 1819, 14 Born in 1761; died in 1836. with a memoir of his life by the Rev. James Morton; while Sir Walter Scott and Sir James Malcolm both honoured his memory with notices of his life and genius. His longest poem is the one already mentioned, which is devoted to a description of his own native vale of Teviot. His poetry is smooth and flowing, but rather lacking in strength. The following is from the opening of his ballad called "The Mermaid" : "On Jura's heath how sweetly swells The murmurs of the mountain bee! Of Jura's shore, its parent sea! But softer floating o'er the deep, The mermaid's sweet sea-soothing lay, Thomas Campbell 15 was a native of Glasgow, the son of a merchant in the city. He was educated at the University of Glasgow, and began early to manifest a taste for poetry. His Pleasures of Hope appeared in 1799, the copyright of which was sold for £60; but it is said that the publishers for some years gave him £50 on every new edition of two thousand copies. The poem was immediately successful. After the publication of the first edition, he added 154 lines to the poem. It attracted all classes of readers by its varied and fine melody, polished style, and the strain of generous sentiment pervading it. He touched on many points and incidents of deep human interest; and in depicting the dismal horrors of war, and the infamous partition of Poland, he rose to a high pitch of inspiration, as in these lines: "Oh, bloodiest picture in the book of time! Sarmatia fell, unwept, without a crime; Strength in her arms, nor mercy in her woe ! Dropped from her nerveless grasp the shattered spear, Hope for a season bade the world farewell, And freedom shrieked as Kosciusko fell! 15 Born in 1777; died in 1844. Hark! as the smouldering piles with thunder fall, And conscious nature shuddered at the cry!" This poem was a wonderful effort for a youth of twenty-one years. But the chief source of its inspiration was not British, as the lines just quoted show traces of ancient Grecian heat, and especially Homeric fire. Campbell's minor poems and songs are universally admired. Such as his "Exile of Erin," "Lochiel's Warning," "The Battle of Hohenlinden," and the songs, "Ye Mariners of England," and the "Battle of the Baltic," are popular favourites. In 1809, his poem, Gertrude of Wyoming, a Pennsylvanian Tale, appeared; but his subsequent literary efforts added little to his fame as a poet. 16 The finest of his later pieces is one entitled "The Last Man," which may be ranked among his best compositions; the following lines are from this poem :— "All worldly shapes shall melt in gloom The sun himself must die, Before this mortal shall assume Its immortality! I saw a vision in my sleep, That gave my spirit strength to sweep A down the gulf of time! I saw the last of human mould As Adam saw her prime ! The sun's eye had a sickly glare, The skeletons of nations were Around that lonely man; Some had expired in fight-the brands And ships were drifting with the dead 16 Campbell contributed several papers to the Edinburgh Encyclopædia, and also wrote the Annals of Great Britain from the Accession of George III. to the Peace of Amiens, in three volumes. In 1806, through the influence of Fox, he received a pension. He delivered a course of lectures on poetry at the Surrey Institution, in 1820; and in 1827, he was elected Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow. In 1849, a selection from his correspondence and an account of his life was published by Dr. Beattie. |