The Irish standard., 1907-03-02
WAS AN ACTIVE FENIAN.
Cherished Companion Of tho "Bard OF
Thomond" Is Dead.

Cherished Companion of the "6ard Of
Thomond" Is Dead.
On tho 26th of January notable
resident Of Belfast passed away in the
person of Mr.. Samuel Mcmillan, who
died at the residence of his son-in-
law, 66 Short Strand. MIR. McMillan's
interests in public affairs was keen to
the last days Of his life; but his MEM
ory went back to generations Of Irish
men whose names have now melted
into national history. A. native of
Derry city, where he was born In 1880,
he went to Belfast when he was only
nine years old. His father was then
precentor for the late DR.. Cooke, the
most powerful leader of Orangeisln
since the. inception Of the organiza-
tion. But though--or perhaps because
connected thus with rigid Presby-
terianisn', the young; Derry man soon
became infected with the generous en-
thusiasm Of. the Young Irelanders.
While little more tiiih1Aa-lad he wrote
patriotic verses for the old Vindicator;
and later on he contributed several
ballads and poems to the Nation, thus
forming one OF the "goodly company
which included Davis and Duffy, Will
liams and Darcy Magee, Mangan and
lie Jean Frazer When Martin Mac
Dermott died a few years ago it was
said he was tho last of tho Nation
poets; this was not strictly true, for
MI. Mcmillan had written poems pub
lished in the great organ Of Forty
eight, and it was at his suggestion his
attached friend, Francis Davis, 1.-The
Belfast man." sent his first poem tu
Duffy's paper. Having taken his part
in the Forty eight movement, Mr.. Nc
MILAN worked for some time in his
adopted city, and in 1863 he removed
to Limerick, wlIero he soon found
many friends in Southern literary cir
cles, one of his cherished companions
being Michael Hogan the gifted Bard
of Thomond." The native Of Derry
and the Limerick poet maintained a
constant CORES pondence until the
death Of the latter a few years ago
During his stay in the South Mr. Nc
MILAN wrote MANY fugitive verses. A
brief poem written by him at that
period will be Interesting now:-
Evening Near Limerick.
Ger Cratloe's wood the sun has set,
But bright above the hills of Clare
The golden clouJlets linger yet,
AS loatll to leave a scene so fair.
Released from labor's daily care.
Far from the shadows of the town,
With eager step hie me where
l trace the winding Avondoun.
Softly it's crysta. waters flow
AS DER their pebbly bed they glide,
Scarce 1nurmuring as they onward sc
| To swell the Shannon's lordly tide.
Majestic river. BY thy side
F, At evening olir l love to be
Where thy proud waters swelling wide
Roll onward t., the boundlcss sea.
How fair the scene that meets the eye
Within this lcafy solitude:
The fertile plain, the golden Sky,
The heath clad hill and leafy wood
And I, who oft nave listless stood,
Where men Il sacred affairs bow
Before the omnioresent God,
Do bow in admiration now.
Here, from the altar, where at morn
This lark his heaven taught antherr
sings
And, OH the breeze, the fragrant thorn
Glad Natures holiest incense fings
Here. upon Faiths unfettcrcd wings,
A While from sensual passion free,
Ny soul involuntary springs.
God Of the Universe, to Thee!
In the South Mr.. Mcmillan became
an active member of the Fcnian or.
ganization. He returned to Belfast
after the failure Of 'sixty-Seven ant
remained in the North for the rest o.