The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-09-24

Even where it affected to be, il was a
weapon which would have altogether
failed Of its purpose if Il did not find it's
way and hit far beyond its seeming des-
tination. Selfbanished, he felt his ex-
clusion from the intellocts Of the day,
and sought for some medium of commu-
nioati0n with them which should moi
compromise his pride This medium was
his distinguished publisher, I'd whose
house his restless fancy imaeined con-
slant gatherings OF wits and poets TO
them he sent messages, as it were, to
keep bis name and Glne still in mems
mouths-lnd the fear of him, an abiding
influence. Mr.. Murray was thus the de-
positary ofsome lively criiques ON men
and books, as where Byron supplies him
with civil refusal of the "Medical
Tragedy" (Dr. Polidori's), spoken in his
tMurmy'sl own person. Wa give it as
30 far to our point that it is verse applied
to a personal use, and affecting to be
thrown of for the amusement of his cor
respondent;
There's byron, too. who once did better
Has sent me folded in letter
A sort Of-its no more drama
Than Danlcy Ivan, or KcamAi
So altered since last year his pen s.,
think he's lost his wits at Venice.
- But 10 resume;
AsI was saying, sir, the room
The rooms 80 full Of wits and bards,
Cnbbes, Campbelk, Croken, Frvrvs, and
Wards
And others, neither bards nor wits,
My humble tenement admits
All persons In the dress of gent,
From Mr.. Hammond 10 Dog Dent;
party dimes with me to-day,
Allclever men who make their way
They're at this moment In discussion
On poor De Stalls late dissolution;
Her book they say was In advance,
Pray Heaven she tell the truth Of France;
Thus run our time and tongue away
but 10 return, sir, to your play" &c, &c.
His publishers name suggests other YER
ses in q more genuinely playful vein, as
well as more for the individual recipient.
He felt Murray the link between him
and his country, as apart from
few personal intimacies. His mind, we
see, ran on the scene where his name
was spoken and his works inquired after.
He liked to recall "the tables baize 10
green" the comings and goings, the lit
erary gossip, and all that was most OPP
posed to the line he had chosen for him
self. 1t associated him with poets,
not only of the day, but of the earlier
times
-strahsn, Jonson, Lintot OF the tines.
Patron and publisher Of rhymes,
To thee the bard up Pindus climbs,
Ny Murray.
To thee with hope and terror dumb
The unHedged Ms. authors come;
Thou printest all-and sellest some
Ny Murray.
Upon thy tab'e's baiEe 10 green
The last new Quarterly Is seen.
But where Is thy new Magazine,
My Murray
Along thy sprucest bOok-shelyes shine
The works thou deemest most divine
The Art OF Cookery and mine
Ny Murray.
Tours, travels essays, too, l wist
And sermons to thy mill bring grist
And then thou hast Thy Navy List,
My Murray.
And Heaven iorbA should conclude
without the Board Of Longitude,
Although this narrow paper would,
Ny Murray.
Complimentary verses, ii premeditated
scarcely come within our subject. Play
ful they may be, but no style OF compo-
sition has more severely tasked the fac
ulties of versiiiers, or been congenial to
the poet proper. We mean, of course,
social verse; for addresses and dedica-
tions, prOfuse Of compliment, swell the
pages to a very inconvenient extent, of
generations, Of poets. One exception,
however, We must make to our conclu-
sion of this vehicle for forced loyeliness.
What more playful and easy lines can
we find than the following, or more sug-
gestiye of fun and enjoyment in the wri-
ter? and if any question the choice of
subject, let them remember the argument
of the Splendid Shilling
"sing, heavenly muse
Things uninterrupted yet in prose or rhyme