The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-31 00:00:00

JESSIE THE FLOWER 0' DUNBLANE.

The following letter, which it will be seen is the
production of a correspondent of Tannehill, and
addressed to Mr. J. Porteous, of the Glasgow Post-
office, throws some light upon the early history of
a song which has long established itself in all Scot-
tish homes and hearts. The particulars regarding
some of Tannahill's other songs will also prove in-
teresting to the lovers of Scottish melodies :
Friend Porteous,—Respecting " Jessie the flower
o' Dunblane," in my correspondence with Robert
Tannehill, I do not recollect of her being mentioned.
I have heard it said that an interesting young
lady at or belonging to that place (Dunblane)
had caught his fancy, and inspired to set a spark
to the muse. Be it as it may, I can, however,
give you a little information concerning Jessie's
coining out (as Yankees say), or being brought out,
or introduced to the admiring public. About the
time that R A, Smith composed the music for
Jessie, there was a theatrical party performing in
Paisley, and in that company there was a come-
dian cognomenised Jack Shaw. Jack had also a
musical propensity, with a good commanding voice,
and qualified for reading music by the voice. He
sang on the stage several of our old Scotch songs
quite in their true character, and having heard of
the new song he found means (Jack was enterprising)
to be introduced to Mr. Smith, and solicited a copy
that he might refresh his old songs by something
new. Smith very obligingly gave him the song, with
an accompaniment for two violins and bass. Jack of
course set it a •going in Paisley; but merrily as things
might be going on, Jack left them, came to Glasgow,
and was a short time with the circus company.
In the meantime the celebrated Braham had made
his first appearance in the 'Theatre Royal, Queen-
street. Jack again found his way to an engage-
ment in the Glasgow Company, taking his manu-
script with him of course. Ho was not long there
till he made bold with Braham for an engagement
on the boards in London. Braham considering on
it, thought he might be a good set off in different
ways, as being a good native Scotch comedian (a
rarish article), and to take part in duets and glees
he might be useful. Mr. Shaw being now installed
on the London boards lie hoisted up Jessie, and
when the Lununers had taken a good view, he
thought she might travel a little farther ; so he
(enterprisingly) applied to a music publisher with
the copyright in the author's own handwriting, to
have her shown off on a broad sheet, which
was accordingly done. But it so happened that,
previous to this, Mr. Steven in Glasgow had his
sheet in motion, with an accompaniment for the
pianoforte by Mr. Smith, and the full authority of
Mr. Steven's holding the copyright as established
at Stationers' Hall. Mr. Shaw supporting the
London publisher by boasting of the copy being in
the handwriting of the author, threatened a tug at
law, which Mr. Smith decided by declaring that
although he obligingly gave a copy to Mr. Shaw
for his individual singing, he gave no authority for
him otherwise to publish it. The London publisher
now looking at pro and con, and discomfit, gave up
to Mr. Steven the plates, &c., rather than go to
law war with the Glasgowites. Jessie was, however,
by this time doing for herself. " The flower o'Dun-
blane" consequently got popular, and became a fa-
vourite principally by this introduction to the public.
Were the other songs of Smith's composition to
Tannahill's verses sufficiently heard in public as-
semblies—such as concerts, theatres, &c.—they
would become favourites also. His music is of a
smooth flowing style, within moderate compass of
voice, and suitably combined with the sentiment of
the poetry. I shall finish by pointing out a few of
his songs, viz.: The old seaman, " 'Mongst life's
many cares," &c.; the Harper of Mull, " When
Rosie was faithfu," &c. ; the Lass of Arrenteenie,
" Far lone amang yon Highland hills," &c.—music
by Ross of Aberdeen ; "Langsyne, beside the wood-
land burn;" the Maniac,"Hark, 'tis the poor maniac's
song." This, though' last, not least, was the first
attempt at vocal composition by R. A. Smith, fol-
lowed, about the same time, by his music to Burns,
Jun.'s, "Cahn dewy morning." 'rho music for the
Afaniac is quite characteristic of the song; and to
show Smith's enthusiasm he illustrated the senti-
ment in China ink. The stormy sea, the rugged
perpendidular rock, and the wild maniac on
the brink of the precipice beating the storm
were so well delineated as to appear almost
actual life. Had Smith exercised his talent in
painting as much as he did in music he would
have attained eminence. The Maniac, I believe,
was never (the music) printed. The others above
were published by the late Mr. Steven, then the
late Mr. Broun, followed by Mitchison •, but I am
afraid the music copies will not be easily got now.
The only gentlemen I think likely to give informa-
tion respecting the plates, or finding copies, are Mr.
Lithgow or Mr. Barr, both professors of music in
Glasgow, as I understand they were concerned iu
winding up the affairs of Mr. Mitchison, who pro-
bably possessed the plates.—l remain, dear sir, your
old friend, JAS. BARR.
Sept., 1859.

THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION IN DURI.IIOI.-Mr.
F avell, the coroner for North Durham, held a lengthened
inquiry at Washington, on Thursday, into the circum-
stance 6 of the deaths of the four men, .John Richardson
Cuthbert Mould, William Mould, and William Eltringham:
killed by the explosion that occurred in the Maudlin seam
of Wallington Old Pit, on Saturday, as already reported
In The Saar. Lengthened evidence of the circumstances
of the explosion was taken by the coroner. The most
material was that of the viewer, Mr. James Crowdice, who
produced a plan of the workings, which he explained,
stating that 14,000 feet of the air which entered the pit was
forced into the place where the men were working. The
witness then gave a minute account of the explosion, and,
in answer to the coroner, said it was his opinion that the
gas came from the sixth board at the fall, and either fired on
the candle of the boy Eltringham,. or was carried down to
where the men were working. This view of the cause of
the explosion was confirmed by other viewers who inspected
the colliery after the explosion, and by two miners who had
gone into the pit to examine the workings, in company with
the Government inspector. Mr. Dunn, the Government
inspector, said that his opinion was that there had been a
fall in the sixth board, from which there had been a con-
ike
n
of
n e
stant supply of gas; that the gas bad accumulated in the
bthoeardfurnouateee hftad the range
ge ot to theinc
increase
the furnace bad become more active the gas had gradually
been drawn into the air-conrso, coming down upon the
men's candles and firing. The jury returned a verdict that
andthe at the
accumulation. sl
the explosion had been caused by an accumulation of gas
in the sixth board,. but by N.:peanteemteoanshsotw.he gas had escaped
there WO ;Id Cv