Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-04

"The Robin Redbreast," continued
Miss Sanborn, turning to that more
familiar bird, "has often been desig-
mated by the poets as the friend of
man. 1t has been supposed to take
pains in covering dead people with
moss and leaves. Wordsworth notices
this tradition, and in IIerrick we find ::
"'Swect Amaryllis by springs
Soft and soul-like lnurmurings
Slept--and thus ssleepng-thither flew
Robin Redbreast, who at view
Not seeing her at all to stir,
Brought leaves and moss TO cover her
But viii lie he peeking there did pry
About the arch of either eye
The lid began to let out day.
At which poor Robin flew away,
And seeing her not dead but all disleaved
lie chirped for JOY to find himself deceived. ;
"This little bird, according to the
popular legend, was commissioned by
the Deity to carry a drop Of water to
the souls of unbaptized infants in hell,
and lis breast was singed in piercing
the flames" Miss Sanborn then read
Whittiers verses on "The Robin"
founded on this legend, than which no
poem of the morning called forth
heartier applause from the audience of
ladies. But" she continued, "a
whole flock Of birds, little and big,
with gay feathers and dull, with sweet
otes and harsh, are singing around
and pleading to be given places in this
aviary which | have invited you to
inspect. Let us look at these birds as
they fly by. First come those noted
in mythology as Juno's peacock, Min
erva's owl, Jupiter's eagle then the
single birds made famous by poem,
as Anacreon's dove or Lesbia's spar
row, The Jackdaw of Rheims, or
Celia Thaxter's 'Sandpiper, Willis's
belfry pigeon, Bryant's bobolink, or
Poes grim bird on the bust of Pallas.
Don't be nervous; I'm not 30 raven
distracted as to attempt that Then
too, there are birds honored by the
poet which are held in special rever-
ence, as the petrels, named from the
Disciple Peter, because they seem to
walk on the water-although, by the
way, Peter didn't seem to walk the
water-and also called Mother Carcy's
chickens "A queer corruption oi
Mater Cara'-sacred 10 the Virgin and
thought TO betoken good luck TO sail.
ors." OF the solemn, stately stork
Miss Sanborn had much that was
interesting to say, and also read Bay
ard Taylor's last poem, which was, as
will be remembered, devoted 10 this
melancholy bird. Then she showed by
many apt quotations how the birds are
always at mans service TO illustrate
habits, dispositions, dress and the va
rious incidents aud actions of social
life.
"Do you remember" said the lee
turer in closing her chat, "those poems
OF Longfellow, Hnllcck aud Mrs. Sig
Quincy on the blue bird, or Lowell's
lines:
The Iau~ iird .hifipg bic light lo,d of .ang
Ffuta pet 70 post along the chs"ilsss fence.
Bryant, too, was genuine lover OF
nature and keen observer of her
forms, but he was more remarkable
for accuracy than for insight. His
perception was less sympathetic than
clear. Just compare Lowell's poems,
The Bubolink'-
"'Anacreon q the mcndo~.
Drunk vith the joy e SPRING
with Bryant's Robert O Lincoln.
Bryant describes the bird, his plum.
age, his habits, his domestic and home
life, giving a charming imitation of
his note and pretty picture Of his
existence. Lowell attempts nothing
of this kind, but makes one feel the
thrilling glee. the heedlessness and
overfowing joy of the little songster.
Having finished her talk Miss San
born invited Miss Thompson to read
Bryant's Robert o Lincoln" with
which request the young lady com
piled, and, reading exceedingly well
was compelled by the enthusiastic au-
dience to read something more. Next
Thursday morning Miss Sanborn's
lecture will be devoted to "Dora d rs.
tria Her Life and Writings"