The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-09

his descriptions and pictures of the
past. he said that while other authors
ATTEMPTED ito evoke shades of buried
ages ,, that Scott "revivifies them. F." and
makes the spectator actually "a con-
temporarv.' and that not only does
che see the things" but he sees them
"as through the eyes of the Middle
Ages" OF his ear for melody, his
true art, he says that there are few
poets whose versihcatlon is more
varied and flowing, or more infallibly
echoes the feeling and sentiment of
the moment"
To me Scott is indeed minstrel and
to him his country and the reading
world are indebted for the rescuing
and the restoring of the ballad which
otherwise might have remained
stranded or dead. Oral tradition had
held fast to the crude compositions of
many unknown or forgotten authors
Scott reclaimed, resuscitated gave life
and grace to many of them. He pub
lished the "Minstrelsy of the Scottish
Border" and William Motherweu,
who wrote some noticeable and genu-
inc poetry, said Of these ballads
that they were truly patriots
legacy to posterity." Scott became
greatly embarrassed, as is well known
by the publishers with whom he was
identified, and when he died there was
still a heavy debt over him. Some one
wrote that 'Sir Walter built a rO-
nance in stone and lime, and then
there came misfortune financial ruin,
and tho man was fifty-four. Thine
and | against any two he said, and
God give me health and strength, and
| will pay every man his due In
six years, between 1895 and 1882, the
debt was reduced from 100000 to
$4,000. After his death a further
sum of $4,000 received from his life
insurance with the profits of the
novels and sale of copyright, dis
charged all claims against him"
He died at 81, and in six years
debt of 100000 was reduced to $270,-
600 This killed him for literally he
wrote himself to death. There was
never a nobler, more honest, more
generous man. The above statement
shows all was paid off afterwards by
The sale of his works and insurance
greatest of all English romance
writer's, and above all authors de-
serves the love, veTeration and adj
niration of his fellow men. His poetry
still retains a genuine interest for
all who love the noble. the true, the
romantic and the beautiful.
A word as to the fling above at Pope
and Macauay. OF all English poets,
save only Shakespeare, Pope is more
quoted from now than any other. He
is still read and praised. If l had
space l would give the opinions of
some recent critics i'm his native Eng
land. As to Lord Macaulay really
gifted and discerning men recognized
the excellence of his small volume of
verse. His pertinacious, old enemy,
Prof John Wilson (the christopher
North" of literature in the forties and
hfties), editor of BlackWoods (Edin-
burgh) Magazine, warmly greeted
Macaulay's poems. He actually gave
him a PAGAN of hearty. unqualified
panegyric." according to Sir George
Otto TraveIyan. Hear his ancient adj
versary" saying: IF he be not the
first of critics, who is? Name the
young poet who could have written The
Armada. The Young Poets all want
fire. Macaulay is full of fire. The
Young Poets are somewhat weakly
he is strong. The Young Poets are
rather ignorant; his knowledge is
great The Young Poets daily
with their subject; he strikes it's
heart The Young Poets are still
their own heroes; he secs but the
chiefs he celebrates There is much
more Of 1audation and proper a4e-
citation His poems had a great sue.
cess. II people do not read and en-
Joy the poetry of Macauiay they are
the losers, and the poetry remains eX-
cellent of it's kind. l have no doubt
that 1t will be enjoyed be scholars and
lovers of animated, impressive, Virfle
poetry an hundred years hence. There
are many men of many minds" and
many critics of many tastes and
variant opinions and preferences
Wilmington, n. c.