Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-10

collected. l2mo pp- SILL Edinburgh, 1881,
Blackwood: London, Cadet.
"Of such man his country may be proud. "
This is an old-fashioned eulogy; not perhaps the
worse for that; and yet it suits Hogg as exactly as
If il had been invented expressly Oh his account.
We respect and we admire him. We respect
the energy that has made its own way-the indus
tiy that has done the best with materials within
its power We admire the genius which has
added to our literature much Gifts better part
simple, touching, and beautiful poetry. Hogg
has lust translated the fine old airs Of his country
into words. A strong feeling has gone straight
from his heart to his song; and nothing can be
more real than his sorrow, unless it be his mrth.
He is the poet Of actual emotions. To use
simiIe-6t fashion of reviewing poetry-he is like
enc of his own mountain rivulets, gushing forth in
ausic and sunshine, melody and meriment-ten-
der, vet JOYOUS. Moreover. there is quaint
sturdiness about him, which is something between
the independent man and the spoilt child. The
running commentary on his own songs Is one OF
the most amusing & original things we remember
TO have read. Weshall besin with few OF these
prefaces.
first, not on account of any intrinsic merit that it
possesses-for there Is ranks rather low-but
merely because it was my first song, and exceed
ing,y POPULAR when il first appeared. wrote
il when bare footed lad, herding lambs on the
Blackhoase Heights, in utter indignation at the
threatened invasion from France. ut after it
had run through the three kingdoms, IKE fire set
70 the heather, for ten or twelve years, no one
ever knew or inquired who was the suthor."
He hears in theatre singer substitute
last verse OF his own for the original one.
sit took exceedingly we'll, and was three times
encored; and there was l sitting in the gallery,
turer that night, that was the author of The song
He laughed excessively at my presumption, and
told the landady that he took me for halfcrazed
Scotch pedlar. Another anecdote concerning
this song may mention; and I'D it with n little
pleasure, it is proof Of the popularity of Don
aid MDOnald among a class, to inspire whom
with devotion to the cause of their country was
at the time matter of no little consequence
Happening, upon one occasion, to be IN a wood
in Dumfriesshire, through which the high-road
passed, heard voice singing; and turn of the
road soon brough. 10 sight soldier, who seemed
to be either travelling home upon furIough. or re-
turning to his regiment. When the singer az
preached nearer, distinguished the notes of nv
own song of Donald M'Donald. As the lad pro-
ceeded with his sony, he got more into the spirit
ct the thing. and on coming to the end,
San wi the bonny blue bonnet,
The kilt an the feather an'a'n
IN the height Of his enthusiasm, he holsed his CAP
on the end Of his staff, and danced 1t about tri.
umphantly. | stood enscOnced behind a tree,
and heard and saw all without being observed. -
'''Ihe Broom sac green is my greatest favor
lite at prcsent,-probably because the air IS nv
own, as well as the verses; for find have par
ticular facility il approving of such things
The next is very characteristic.
ss.The Woman k.'-rhe air of this sono "a
my own. 1t was first set to music by Heather,
and most beautifully set too, 1t was afterwards
act by Dewar, whether with the same accountant.
ments, or not, have forgot. IL is my own ia
vourite humorous song, when forced to sing by
ladies against my will, which too frequently hap |
pens; and notwithstanding my wood notes wild. |
it will never be sung by any one 80 well again. -
We think the Shepherds resentment burns IN |
the wrong quarter in the following uote:-
"sThe Maid of the Sea- is one of the many
songs which Moore caused me TO cancel, for moth |
ing that knew of, but because they ran counter
to his. Ii is quite natural and reasonable that AN
author should claim copyright of sentiment;
but it never struck me that it could be So exclu
sively his, as that another had not right to con-
tradictlt. This, however. seems to be the case
in the London law; for true il IS that nv sonos
were cancelled, and the public may now Judge on
what ground, by comparing them with Moore's.
have neither fargot nor forgiven it; s. I have a
great mind to force him to cancel I.alla Rookb
for stealing it wholly from the Queens Wake.
which is apparent in the plan, that every London
Judge will give it my favour, although he ventur.
ed only on the character of one accomplished
bard. and | on seventeen. He had better have
let my few trivial songs alone.'
We apprehend Mr.. Moore had nothing to do ,
with it: the question was one of musical copy |
right. '
Like most poets. he has fair hit at the Edia- :
5urgh Reriew.
"'Donald M'Gillavry' was originally published a
IN the Jacobiie Relics. without any notice Of its
being an original composition; an omission which
.ntrapped the Edinburgh Review into high but
,nintentionh compliment to the author. After
'eyiewipg the Bellies in style Of most determin-