The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-07-11
OUR BOOK TABLE.

poems fIom the pen OF Cyrus Elder, Esq, OF
Johnstown- The volume contains some
hundred pages, and is presented in the most
credltable style-a perfect gem. indeed, to
adorn the centre table. It is dedicated TO
Hon. Daniel j. M0rrell. of JohnstoWn, who, /
we doubt not, will appreciate its merits and
yield the influence of his name IN introducing
the authors maiden production to the notice
OF the literdi of the country Some of the
finest poems that adorn the English language
would never have seen the light but for the
appreciative kindness of patron, and we
hope our poet may realize the couplet Of
Pope, il his unassuming dedication:
g Shozlld, then, this verse to future fame
pretend,
Thou wertmy guide, philosopher and friend. y
But the poems themselves To say that
they are far, very far, superior to the gener-
al serial productions of the day. is doing
them less than justice. To rank them with
etfusioDs of the standard English poets, or
even with first class American poetry, is
more than the author would expect. The
diction, however. as general thing, is chaste
and pure, the rhymth flowing and easy, and
the imagery and poetical figures natural.
Mr. Elder certainly has all the dreaminess,
Il not all the FIRE, of genuine poet. But if
they lack FIRE the defect may be moro attrib-
utable to The theme than the poet.
The leading poem, my Gift which
gives its name to TIE book. though not the
longest, nor by any means the most preten-
tious, is, we think, the most perfect produce
tion in the volume and It alone shows the
author to be gifted with more than an ordi-
nary degree of the Esprit of poesy. Such
verses as the following would find themselves
at home among the best productions of the
best poets
The one reveals glorious world,
Lurent and sky-robed as star,
Where men walk like the gods of old,
And women as the angels are.
The other shows sadder sphere
That ever swings from gloom to gloom,
Where men crawl, cursed withslittle cares.
To hnd at last nameless tomb.
And / am poorest of them all.
And poorer than my pride is great.
And that lose their little joys
nlongipgs for happier state.
IF we are not at fault, the poems ia this
collection most characterized for their SIM
plicity, are those which will most add to the
poetic fame Of the author. Among these
are "Maple," the domestic ssSongs, . .srhe
Token 1.-The Moss Worker,,' and even
The Village TaIev aud <sTo-M -Morrowv We
append the following, in which sweetness Of
poetry and piety of sentiment are blended
in beautiful harmony -:
TIE MAIDEN's PRAYER.
Ger the storm ascending:
Over the raging sea
Winds and waters blending.
Carry my prayer to thee.
Queen, from heaven bending.
Pity, O pity mel
Mary maiden,
Mother mild,
Hear thy trembling child.
Passing tempests lower,
Threat'ning my lonely bark:
Tides OF mystic power
Hurry it through the dark
In this dreadful hour
BE thou saving ark.
Maiden mother
Hear my prayer,
Make me still thy care.
The ADORE lines we think not inferior to
the lave Maria" of Mrs. Hemans.
There is an air of mystery thrown around
some of the illusions which might. with ad-
vantage, have been avoided. And still more
Is this the case In many of the titles. IT Is
true that many, like st. Paul's audience at
Athens. prefer to worship the s.Unknovn >,
but poetry, like prose, should be written to
be understood. Now, to one of limited read
ing, like ourself, it is difficult to see what
relation Warner Justicen has 10 the poem
OF which It IS the caption. Who is or was
Warner JustIceE Or is Warner an adjective
to the noun Justice In law parlance nor,
const0t that the poem informs us on this head
II it hac been Justice Warner, we could at
once have recognized it to be an old Rich
land tarmer, to whom the poem itself wguld
refer assFeH as to any other Warner of which
history informs US. WeconId point out one
or two other blem:shes,. or what we esteem
such, but the volume has SO many real ner-
its as to more than atone for all defects.
There might still be some room for verbal
criticism. 1t is the extreme of poetic l;rsnsa
to make an Irregular verb of sselide., sb.,f
here we have the imperfect tense in gelode. ),
which the necessity Of the rhymth did not
call for.
Ine book before Us is entirely free from pla-
gIarlsrn. The verse, the style, the thou ghts.
are the poets own, and sufficiently distinct
70 give character to his future writings.
Higniy poetic and beautiful phrases abound
IN all the poems, and perhaps no prettier
thought is to be found than in the s.Villags
Talev: 5s
he smlied-his teeth were white and lcng
lie sang-his voice was sweet;
de danced-it was another song,
singing Of ne feet! =
But enough for the present. We expect
hereafter TO reproduce some of these poems
for the readers Of the Freeman. In the
meantime we congratulate Mr.. Elder on bis
Efforts. We are glad that he has written
and published, and would advise him not IN
let the .sweightier matters of the law, 'nre-
vent him from still wooing the immortal nine.
The PUBLIc SPIRIr'' is the title Of a very
interesting and handsomely printed monthly
containing some hundred pages.
which has found its way to our sanefs5n
we have examined it thoroughly, and have
no hesitation in pronouncing it what Il claims