The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-09

tish husbandry by his modes Of thorough
| drainage, and of economizng sewage man
ure, and made many ingenious inventions
in machinery-as well as Henry Bell, VINO
(the Scotch insist) invented the steamboat,
and William Playfair, who was both an IN,
ventor and author ofmerit--all were neglected
or unrewarded in their day and generation
DR.. Rogers says. ~ rr'
"The works of no Scottish writer have been
more useful or popular than those of DR..
Thomas Dick, author of The Christian Philoso-
pherJ DR.. Dick attained his eighty third year.
He informed the writer that for half a century
his principal meal consisted of bread and milk,
The pressure Of poverty compelled him to part
with his copyrights. He obtained a small Civil
list pension In his eightieth year"
Scottish minor poets figure extensively in
this list of unfortunates. One of the most
celebrated Scottish ballads is "The Brownie
OF Blednock." William Nicholson, its author,
when he was unable to earn his bread as
travelling musician, was thrust into the work
house. The author of an equally favorite bal
Lad, "Symon and Janet" escaped a like fate
by being provided with the position of parish
sexton.
"Ca the Yowes to the Knowes," and cover
the Muir Amang the Heather" are familiar to
every SoOtchman, and rank among the most
memorable of their national ballads. Isobel
Pagan and Stewart Lewis, the authors of
these songs, were compelled to earn their
Thomas Lyle, the author of the delightful
song 'Kelvin Grove" and of standard book
on "Ancient Ballads" died in poverty in 1859.
The author of the plaintive song "Wae's me
for Prince Charlie" William Glen, died in in
digence at the age of 81. His wife and daugh-
ters still live at Aberfoyle, "utterly uncared
for.''
"My ain dear Nell'' is one of the most popu-
lar Scottish poems of the present generation.
thn rdc orr1V sod hxy
Alexander Hume, who died in 1859, as we are
told, sin the deepest penury.'
The end of other gifted song-writers is told
in similar words. Thus
civilian Thom, the Inverary poet .
died at Dundee in circumstances OF the deepest
poverty
"Peter Buchan, whose services in collecting
northern mlnstrelsy were warmly commended
by Sir Walter Scott who also composed origi-
nal songs and published works in general litera-
ture,' died poor.
Sabbath, an admirable poem, and editor Of
The Harp OF Caledonia struggled
with poverty to the last, and died in 1885, at the
age of H."
Here is a notice Of three other poets COM
paratively unknown, whom DR.. Rogers deems
worthy of wider fame:--
THREE YOUNG SCOTTISH POETS
"Three poets have lately passed away whose
genius would probably in any other country
save that in which they were bern-which they
loved so well and celebrated in impassioned
redeemed them from the pressure
of continual poverty and constant suffering.
"Elliott Aitchison died at HaWick in 1858.
He was employed IN stocking factory when he
was able TO work; but possessing feeble con-
stitution, he was unable to prosecute his voca-
ton continuously. He composed verses of re-
markable power and classic elegance, which,
had he been encouraged to publish, would
have attracted attention and brought him both
emolument and fame. But the bard was diff
dent and shrunk from soliciting that patronage
which none were found willing to bestow un-
asked.
Though not more ingenious than the former,
Andrew Park is better known. His poem of
Silent Love is one of the noblest compositions
in the language. Published anonymously it
was ascribed to the more celebrated poets of
the time But the genius of Park only secured
from his telloW-countrymen coffin and grave
stone.
flames Macfarlane has not obtained even the
latter. His poetry is of the loftiest order-deep,
sententious, chaste, and highly ornate. His ode
entitled The Lords of Labor Is, as an incen-
tive to industry, without parallel in ancient or
modern verse. Mactarlane led life of poverty
from the cradle to the grave. He often passed
days without food, and occasionally lacked a
home. His verses were admired, but the writer
was unsought. A few generous persons soothed
his last hours. He died in 1862, in his thirteth
year."
Among host of good stories that have
been already published but are now first col
lected, concerning all the well-known Scottish
poets, Doctor Rogers occasionally gives new
one; and among them is an incident never
hitherto published, of the life of Robert
Burns. 1t tells
HOW ROBERT BURNS RESENTED AN INSULT.
Burns, at public entertainment was
seated opposite a young foppish nobleman,
who, TO evince his contempt for one whom he
regarded as literary upstart, flipped some of
his wine in the direction of the poet. I'VE do
much better in our country said the bard, as
he raised his glass, and threw the entire con-
tents in the face of the aggressor."
This story was told to DR.. Rogers father by
personal associate of the poet.
An anecdote is also told of the 'Allan"
whom Burns has immortalized in his poem
of the barley brew. This ''Allan" who
''came to pree' when "Willie brewed a peck
o. maut," was Mr.. Allan Masterton, writing
master in Edinburgh. DR.. Rogers says
'The authors father enjoyed the acquaintance
OF Mr., MasteTtOn. and was informed by him of
the following remarkable occurrence in hls own
personal history. Having been on a visit to
London he had arranged to return home on a
passenger vessel bound for Leitb. He had paid
his passage money, and porter had brought
his luggage to the place Of embarkation. Just
as he was on the point of stepping on board, he
was seized with strong presentiment that the
vessel would not reach her destination. He
therefore determined of a sudden to forego his
original intention, and to proceed homeward by
land. When he reached Edinburgh he learned
that the ship in which he had proposed to sail
had foundered at sea, and that all the passengers
had perished."
DR.. Rogers gives a curious insight into ex
isting Scottish prejudices in these sentences:--