Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-05
AUGUST BELMONT,

ing of Merlin," which carries singular and interesting significance in view of the distinguished honor that her majesty has last conferred upon Austin. His words, But shortly once again the isle will ring" with laureates voice. seem to come either as a fulfillment of pre- diction or as the sovereign's record for the patriotic confidence of the living poet above the bier of the dead.
 "The following verses will serve both to suggest the coincidence referred to and the chaste, finished style of the new poet laureate:
 Merlin has gone, Merlin the Wizard, who In the Past's glimmering tide and hailed
 him king
 Tn The mystic glories of the Table Round That ever its name will live so long as
 song shall sound.
 Merlin has gone, Merlin who followed the Of the last tournament the Holy Grail. And Arthurs passing till the enchantress' Dwells with us still awake. no visionary
 theme
 So England mourns for Merlin. though its Flow not from bitter source that wells in
 vain,
 But kindred rather to the rippling rain. That brings the daffodil sheaths and jon
 quill spears,
 When Winter weeps and. April reappears. For neer hath England lacked voice to
 sing
 Her fairness and her fame, nor will she Silence awhile may brood upon the But shortly once again the isle will ring With Wakenng once winds of March and
 rhapsodies of Spring.
 The first English poet laureate-so called from the laurel with which the ancient Latin poets were crowned in the Roman capitol--is believed to have been John Kay or Gains, who was so appoint ed by Edward ". The English universi- ties are thought to have conferred the title in one rare instance thereafter but the first in the line of regular success sion of laureates was Ben Jonson, who was so created in 1630. From that time to this the poet laureates of England have only numbered thirteen. They were Davenant Q63S-166S), Dryden Q67O-16S9) Shadwell usS9-l692), Tate d693-1714) Rowe Q714-171S, Eusden Q719-173O), Cib- Der 1730-175O, Whitehead Q758-17S5), Warton Q7S5-179W, Pye Q790-1S13), South ey Q813-1843), Wordsworth QS43-185O) and Tennyson QS50-1S92).
 The yearly fee of the poet laureate was formerly HOO and a tierce of canary wine, but since 1873 the wine has been com muted for money.
 
 The lecture of Col Richard Malcolm Johnston, which was to occur tomor- row (Monday) evening under the auspices of the Birmingham Music club, has been deferred until March on account of the impossbilty of Colonel Johnston's reach ing Birmingham at this time. It will be a great pleasure and treat to our citizens to listen to this gifted southerner, who is accomplishing so much in a distinctive literary field.
 Mrs. J. l.. Van Neste of New York is the guest of her friends, Mr. and Mrs. William L. Sims, on the North High lands.
 son and daughter, MT. and Mrs. Edward P. Quigley, Jr, on the South Highlands. The Thursday Evening Euchre club was charmingly entertained by MT. and Mrs. Harry Wheelock at the last meet ing. The prize a set of beautifully etched numbers, was won by Mrs. John P. Tillman. Mrs. Wheelock served de- lightful refreshments after the games of euchre. The club will meet next Thursday evening with MT. and Mrs. W. G. Estes, Fourteenth avenue and Nine teenth street, South Highlands.
 The members of the Literary Clique Of '95 were the guests of Miss Lillie Dren- nen at their last meeting. Misses Nina Redd and Minnie Merle Lane read se- lcctions from the writings of Richard Harding Davis. After the literary pro- gramme was completed dainty refresh ments were served, when the clique ad- journed to meet next with Miss Minnie Merle Lane, when Nathaniel Hawthorne and his works will be discussed.
 
 The handsome young cadets, who have contributed so much to the pleasure of the holidays, and whose gray uniforms gave a picturesqueness to our streets, are all returning to their school duties. The Auburn boys have already said goodbye to their families and their pret- ty sweethearts, and the Tuskaloosa ca- dets will return to the university today. The Nineteenth Century club was de- lightfully entertained on Wednesday, New Years Day, by Miss Nettie Ander- son. Miss Julia Ward. Miss Leila Chisolm and Miss Rinnie Leigh Head read selections from Tennyson regarding New Year. Miss Anderson served deli cious refreshments after the literary ex- ercises. The Nineteenth Century club meets next with Misses Ada and Eloise Johnston.
 The ladies composing the Leap Year club, who have in charge the brilliant leap year ball for Thursday evening, are
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