The Irish standard., 1898-12-24

| ilSulHlllSS as MOUNT Blanc. Invested OIL
i all hallowed associations, either historic
or legendary, the rugged hills, the tum-
bling torrents, the placid lakes, the
meandering streams, the misty slopes,
and even the widespreading, desolate
moorlands possess magnetic attraction
unsurpassed in it's strength by either the
stupendous grandeur of Alpine Switzer-
land, or the seductive beauty and abund-
ant fertility of bright Tuscany. The
love cry of the familiar whoop, and the
dim haze that enshrouds with somber-
ness the most dreary regions, have in
spired the author of "Moorland Rhymes"
truly patriotic poems-poems which, in
turn, have awakened memories in many
a loving bosom. and have brought the
tear of affection to the eye of more than
one dweler in this new land. Had
SCOTS works produced no other results,
they deserve to occupy foremost place
in the great worlds library of patriot
ism, since they have contributed so
largely in bringing the glories of Scotch
scenery under the gaze of the public, at
home and abroad With his wizard wand
he has conjured into existence thou
sand creatures of the fancy-all true,
either as historical personages. or illus
trations of national traits-With which
he has peopled the rocks, valleys,
streams, lakes, ruined temples and men,
ory-haunted castles of his country. From
Arthur's Seat to Johnnie Groats' the
rocks in the wild hills. and the silent
stones in the city structures alike APP
peal to the hearts of Scotchmen. And
why so? Because, had they tongues,
they each could tell a story of either
past glories or bygone sorrows, of
mighty deeds of heroism accomplished,
or fearful ordeals of persecution and
sufferings endured
| I dare not attempt, tonight, to trace
| the story of Scotch literature. In every
department it is rich and powerful. In
science, philosophy, history, biography,
| but especially in poetry. does it excel.
The motto of the Caiedonian society
| 1--WE aim to excel''-seems to have been
that of every Scotch litterateur. from
the old Celtic Dards to the idol of Scot
| fish devotion in the person OF the i'm
mortal Burns. TO enumerate them alone
would occupy goodly portion OF the
night; to speak of Burns would demand
an entire lecture Give me. said Fletch-
err of Saltoun. the making OF peoples
ballads. and l care not who make the
laws" And it would seem as if the Bard
| of Ayr had been raised up for the spe-
ciaI purpose Of embalming unto all time,
| in lyric beauty the sentiments and aspl-
ratons of the race. The Almighty
seemed to have given him mission, to
have cleansed his lips as He did those OF
Isaiah to have filled his bosom with in
| SEPARATIONS like unto those that thrilled
| in tho breast of the royal prophet, and to
have impaired to him the vigor, and the
harmony of all the masters of verse, that
while his muse gave praise to the Oliver
of all gifts" his voice awakened the
ashes of time with the strains of imper-
ishabIe Scottish music.
But Of all the great writer's of the age.
Scott alone wore the double diadem of
prose and poetry.
In no life and in no writer's can you
find a stronger example of Scottish gen.
crosby generosity of sentiment, of
thought, of action. than in the career
and in the productions of Campbell.
When about "a years Of age he was
seized with fit of Bohemianism: he
slung his pack upon his back, and set
out to tramp over Europe. 1t was dur
ing those peregrinatons that lie met
with men and scenes from which he
drew the inspiration that produced some
of his most lasting poems.
During the last half century almost
every schoolboy has learned, and perhaps
rccited, the Battle Of Hohenlinden;
vet not one in every 10 is aware that
Campbell was an eye witness of the ter
rife struggle which he has immortalized
in his imperishable poem.
Rejecting one night upon the scene be-
fore Hohenlinden, he thought of the
slumbering soldiers awakened so rudely
from perhaps dreams Of home, to the
realities of strife and death. and he fam
cied war-worn warriors. happy for an
hour in visions Of peace and content
mcnt; it was then that he penned one of
his most beautiful productions-"The
Soldiers Dream"
He gave the world those undying words
the Exile of Erin" He wrote them to
the grand old air of "Savourneen Deal
ish." and flung into their composition
all the richness of his poetic being.
In March. 1901, Campbell left Denmark
on an English man -of-war, and as they
sailed past Elsnore-immortalize by
Shakespeare's Hamlct-and as he beheld
Russian fleet blowing its way proudly
out of the Scagerack and on towards the
broad bosom of the Baltic, adding to this
a view of the Danish batteries along the
south shore. he had another vision and
he wrote that glorious poem. Battle OF
the Baltic" Later on. meeting the
British fleet sailing up the North sea, the
gifted Scotchman was inspired to write
| h, fvi1 ,rtip tn ho