..^... IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ^ MS 1110 III 1.8 U 11.6 6" Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. I4S80 (716) 872-4503 '4^^ ^^^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Hiatoricai IVIicroraproductions institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checlted below. D D D D a D Co!oured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pellicul6e I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g6ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ D Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reii6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int^rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais. lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6x6 film6es. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires: T tc L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/oi Pages restauries et/ou peiliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxei Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou plqu^es Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Qualiti inigaie de I'impression Includes supplementary materif Comprend du matdriel suppidmentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponibie I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ r~7| Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ I I Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ I I Only edition available/ Tl P< o fil Oi bi th si( ot fir sit or Th sh Til l\/|j dil en be rig rec mc Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6X6 filmies 6 nouveau de fapon 6 obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est fiimi au taux de rMuction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X J 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed hare ha* been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Douglas Library Queen's University The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in Iceeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the bacic cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), vv'hichever applies. Ma^. 'lates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different redaction ratios. Those too large to be entirely inciudud in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire film* f ut reproduit grAce A la gAn^rosIti da: Douglas Library Queen's University Les images suivantes ont At* reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la nattet* de i'exempiaire film*, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exempiaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est ImprimAe sont fiimAs en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iilustration, soit par le second plat, seion le cas. Tous les autres exempiaires originaux sont filmte en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iilustration et en terminant par la derniAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboies suivants apparaltra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, seion le cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symbols V signifie "FIN ". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent dtre filmAs A des taux de reduction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA. il est filmA A partir de i'angle supArieur geuche. de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 4 6 6 trnw" iiii < ^J,ti^. TH£ ISLAND MINSTREL: COLLECTION or TBB POETICAL WRITINGS or JOHN LE PAGE, ULTS THIRD TSA.OHER OF THE CENTRAL ACADKKT. i» w ■ OHABLOTTBTOWN, P. B. ISLAND : GIOBOX T. HA8ZABD| PBINTEB, QUEEN 8QUAEI» 1860. ur ?Sh^Z-Bu>^J7 u TABLE OP CONTENTS. PAOI. Address to Prince Edward Island . - - 1 The Island Adrift ------ 8 On the publication of the hJnnder newspaper, 1 843 12 On the elevation of Mr. Peters to the Judgeship 14 New Year's Day, 1850 - - - - 19 Th« State Sweepstakes, Part I. • - » 21 Part II. - - - 24 Part III. - . . 27 The Island Volunteers . . - . 29 Sprinc's Holiday - - - • - - 32 Toe old trade — Basket-making - . . 35 Bong of the Discontents . - . - . 37 High Blood and Hair-triggers ... 39 Lobs of the Fairy Queen, Oct. 7, 1853 - - 41 Fate of Sir John Franklin . ... 58 The Giant - 61 The Old Stars Eclipsed ...» 79 The Sweet Songstress ..... 80 The Hidden Treasure .... 88 The Great Battle of Georgetown - • - 87 Lines inscribed to Kev. L. C. Jenkins - • 93 Epitaph for the Tombstone of my Beloved Wife 96 The Balance of Power .... 96 The British BuU-dogs - - - - - 139 A Night'Visit to Parnassus . . - . 140 The Sleigh Bubble, 1852 .... 144 Phrenology — A fragment . - - - 148 The Yankee Feed, 1853 - - - - 149 The Hero of Kara - ... - 155 Seloc's Warnings— a Parody .... 158 51/ 'w^'^wipupipmiw^^i^wp' TABLE OF C0NT:—, Feb. 1846 - Do. to A. R— e, Esq., M.P.P.,. Feb. 1848 FAOI. 168 164 167 169 172 178 177 181 182 185 188 190 193 196 201 204 207 210 213 216 221 224 226 228 282 285 237 249 249 INTRODUCTION. 226 228 282 28S 287 249 24t The Harp of Island minstrelsy Was hanging on the willow tree — XJDtouch'd its chords, unheard its tone, With moss of strange neglect o'ergrown- Like other shall-he nameless things — Almost forgotten, till the strings, Suspended in the damp eo long, Seem'd utterly unfit for song ! True ! now and then, some passer by, As the old relic caught his eje, Has reached it down with careful hand, And all its parts harmonic scann'd — Has run his fingers o'er the strings. And, touching music's secret springs, Produced such tones, distinctly clear. Of love, and joy, and hope and fear ! As might have pleas'd in days of yoro The venerable bards, who wore— As legendary stories tell — The *' sandall shoon and scallop shell.* E'en so, with strong poetic fire. Did L. 0. J. attune the lyre ; He well Apollo's magic knew. And sung to art and nature true 1 INTBODUOTIOM. Pleas'd with his strains, weVe whiled away The lovely " Indian summer " day. How fair the prospect I all around, Appearing like enchanted ground I— Spring visits, as a Virgin Queen, And spreads her robe of freshest green I And " ardent summer," to the view Throws o'er that robe a deeper hue I But Indian summer can supply More beauties for the poet's eye f The trees in hectic dyes appear — The flushes of the sinking year— The winds, subdued, more softly blow, — The river-streams more gently flow While chasten'd sunlight, rich and wamv— Sheds over all a mellow charm I — A mystic, tranquilizing spell, As summer breathes her last fiarewelL " At such a season," L. 0. J. The Island Harp would sometimes play ; He tun'd it with a master's hand, — Each string vibrating at command — And roU'd upon the list'ning ear, The requiem of the dying year — And, as we caught the sweet refrain, We wish'd he oft might sing again I HfTRODUOnOK. viL Once more, the Island Harp was tried, When £. S. E. her hand applied ; Again each string was sweetly mov'd,— She sung — ^the public ear approved ! And as the general pulse was stirr'd, 'Twas fondly hoped there had appeared An Island ^* Hemtfns/' skill'd to play, Whose strains would never die away I But all at once, the Harp, unstrung. Again is on the willow hung I Hush'd up its every witching sound-— And silence once more reigns around ! The world will talk I — perhaps to-day (Some folk may be inclined to say, — And why dost thou that silence break. And all this noise for nothing make ?— When " L. 0. J." and " E. S. E."— Who might achieve celebrity — Have both resign'd the " rhyming trade/ So troublesome and poorly paid, — When Wera7id to \As "Lelia" fair Scarce ventures now an amorous air f What folly, and presumption high, For thy poor muse at all to try, Or hope to please, where few indeed, Who make the effort wild, succeed ! • •• TBI. jDWW>DuaTiOir. I answer, then, in honest truth, This ** rhyming" was a trick of youth. Which has, thro' censure and thro' praise, Clung to me all my weary days It long has heen my humhle aim Tojraise the Island Muse's fame ; From Fancy's fields, where fresh and free Grow the sweet flowers of poesy, To wreathe a lovely chaplet fair, And bind it blooming round her hair ; Or, figures all aside, to pen A song to please my countrymen. But hold ! say some, — of rhyming stuff We've more already than enough ! At Haszard's, Bremncr's, Stamper's ! see 1 The shelves are cramm'd with poetry ! But why to " wcU-cramm'd shelves " allude ?- If such can fairly be construed Into a valid reason, why I from *' the muses' haunts " should fly, Then in the name of all that's wise. Who'll stick to gen'ral merchandise ? The business man may business stop — The Tradesman shut his well-stock'd-shop,- For ask them, and they all declare The market's glutted everywhere ! Let cynics then their shoulders shrug, And tell me poetry's a drug. . INTBOIHTOTIOtf. IS. I Bay to gromblcra, — even so ! Drugs are the very things to go I Experience shows us, by the way, That drugs are taken, and they pay I If this assertion's doubted, call At the " Apothecaries Hall!" Or else, for confirmation strong, Ask " Watson " if Tm right or wrong I Desirous, then, my friends to please — Regardless of my enemies — Except — ^perhaps for selfish ends — To wish they may become my friendiH-* I launch my unpretending rhymes, Upon the ciu-rent of the times, Where fortune's winds capricious play,. And hopes are founder'd every day. " 'Tis not in mortals to command Success" in what they take in hand As Cato — ^venerably grey, In sorrow, was constrained to say. But, having used, with thoughtfulness, My efforts " to deserve success," — To fit my rhyme-built argosy For squalls upon a windy sea ; And set her off in sailing trim — Here's fortune to her ! sink or swim t 3CY INTBODUOTION. But why of sinkiag talk the while ? — My native land, Prince Edward Isle, (By metaphor) sustains afloat The crews of " mony a honny boat I " The Royal gilded barge of State, Mann'd by officials meanly great, Who — ^having gain'd their selfish ends-— Eemember to forget their friends ! The clergy craft, of every name, — Professors 1 voyaging to fame. Doctors of physic and of law ! Attorneys, skill'd to find a flaw 1 Artists Lk painters^de by «de. All swim upon the public tide. Luck to them all ! on fortune's stream t Wind to their sails I their boilers — steam I But ere my pen aside I throw, A few words more to such as shew Their qualities of head and heart, By patronizing my poor art : The pieces in this book to you Afford a record, strictly true, Of home-events, which should not be Forgotten in our history — Here, as they happened, may be seen Struggles of politicians keen,— > INTRODUCTION. • . XT. The combats of the ins and ours,— Great contests ! victories and routs I Where hostile ranks, in battle close ; And those who win, and those who lose, Both for themselves most nobly strive, And all who are not kilVd — survive ! So much for Politics ! again There's pluck within our Island men !— Here is recorded on my page The Island duel of the age I When C — p and P r, eye to eye, Opposing, let their bullets fly, The muse again recalls the scene, ^\ And shudders at what might have been t Death, scenting keen, thro' nostril clear. Stood with the seconds waiting near ! Each toe was up to Honor's mark. Each pistol struck the vivid spark, Each flash was follow'd by report ; And, had they but been driUd for sport, As some in Garribaldi's day — It had not been a " bloodless fray ! " But then, besides a harmless joke, Crack'd now and then at public folk, If you to read should feel inclin'd, You may more serious matter find. INTRODUCTION. Here's praise for those who won applause,. By fighting in their country s cause ; Who all the brunt of battle bore, And conquer'd on a foreign shore — Then proudly o'er the Atlantic foam, Beturn'd, with victors' laurels home- Heroes of reputation great! — But why should I anticipate ? Now, in conclusion, once for all, Whatever fate my book befal ! — I tell the critics of the day, Who lurk in letters' walks for prey, These unsophisticated rhymes — The reflex of their author s times — Appear, without pretentious claim To meed of everlasting fame ! To wonderful poetic force ! To 'perfect measure ! faultless verse !— Those attributes, which but belong To super-excellence of song ! But which, howe'er by critics priz'd, We see are seldom realized. — Should any of the snarling breed. To look for faults, my verses read, Then turn capriciously around, With less of reason than of sound. INTRODUCTION. X^ And strive, by liis dogmatic rule, To turn my page to ridicule : I pledge my rhyming honor, then, To fight the battle of the pen ; To meet the monster like a man, And drub him soundly — if I can ; And if I can't, 'tis likely he May stand some chance of drubbing me. P] Oi Ai V^ La Tc Tc Ti Fo Ml No Ad Sea Wl Hie Ac Wh Alo Casi Po\^ THE ISLAND MINSTREL. ADDRE8S TO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. Prince Edward Isle ! fit subject for the lays Of sweeter minstrel ; how shall I aspire — As best I may — ^to celebrate thy praise ; Whose praise might well employ the noblest lyre. Land of my birth I I feel the patriot's glow ; To thee I'm bomid by natm-e's tender ties ; To thee I feel my warmest wish must flow, Till power to wish with human frailty dies; For nearest to my thought, while thought remainfi, Must be thy flowing streams, thy woods and fertile plains. Now pleasing spring revisiteth thy shore, Advancing gracefully with gentle tread ; Scatt'ring, with liberal hand, her flow'ry store. Where Boreas late in blustering storms had spread His chilling mantle, frost, and ice, and snow ; A cold contexture, wov'n in Winter's loom, When short'ning days saw Phoebus ranging low Along the southern sky, o'erspread ydth gloom, Casting, by fits, a bright but powerless ray — Powerless to stir the muse or give the streamlets play. \^ 4 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. But now the son emits a wanner beam, Thy rills, unbound, run murmuring to the sea ; Nature awakes as from a slumb'ring dream, And hears the sounds of vocal melody, "Which charm the ear from eVry bush and grove, Proceeding in a soft and varied strain ; As the blithe redbreast tunes his lay of love, Or blackbird, " answ'ring to her mate again, " Pours, from her mellow throat, a note so clear, That half the warbling choir might listening stop to hear. ■ As thus the enlivening song pervades the air, And flowers expanding deck the sunny brae ; Drowning in harmony dull cank'ring care. And charming eVry withering thought away — Th' unskilfril muse would sing her simple song, Not uninspir'd, since ev'ry healthful breeze (The breath of Spring) that gently sweeps along The rippling river, or that stirs the trees, Now budding fresh, awakes the numbers tame, And fans the power of song into a stronger flama Pleased on thy lovely scenes I tmn my eyes : The rolling river's winding course I view,. And see the beauteous cheerful azure skies Reflected on its breast, a deeper blue ; Along its banks some clusters evergreen THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Of spruce and fir stand tap'ring in the air, The graceful remnants of the sylvan scene ; When reigning forests held dominion there. Isle of the sea ! how changed the prospect now, How soon before thy sons the stately forests bow I Now fertile fields the forest's place supply — Delightful landscapes, when Aurora's beam Spreads crimson blushes on the Orient sky. And cheers the ploughman whistling to his team. And beautiM, at noon, when the bright sun Turns the declining scale to measure day ; But lovelier, when, at eve, his journey run. He sinks in beds of downy gold away, Kindly withdraws his beams, in rosy smiles. To give thy ploughmen rest and brighten other Isles. Singing thy praises, shall the muse forget The tributary Islands round thy shores ; By nature plac'd, as sentinels of State, To beautify thy coast or guard thy stores. Or haply formerly, fair Isle ! of thee A part integral, all these Islets stood. Till, by the rude convulsive energy Of sund'ring earthquake, or resistless flood. They lost thy warm embrace,their birthright claims, But gained enchantment's grace and independent names. 6 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Firiat of the throng, and pride of Richmond Bay, Eomantic Lennox ! let me turn to thee : Around thy beach how Fancy loves to stray, And trace the beauty of thy scenery I Home of the exil'd Micmac's dwindled race, Still in thy shades their rinded camps they spread, And here, perforce restricted in the chase. They cultivate the soil for daily bread. Here also stands, in pleasing prospect fair, And sheds a halloVd grace, the Indian's house of prayer, St Peter's, Governor's, Panmure, Boughten all — Fair gems, that to thy southern coast belong. Shall promptly answer to the Muse's call. And spread fresh beauties henceforth known to song. Like precious gems, embowel'd in the mine. (Unpolish'd brilliants worthy of renown) These spots enchanting, destin'd yet to shine As jewels in a reigning monarch's crown, Unnotic'd long enough, have sweetly bloom'd. Without one " tuneful line, " to heartless silence doom'd. Prince Edward I fair and fertile Island home I May ne'er thy sons, at wild ambition's call, Be tempted from thy happy shores to roam, To increase at Oregon their fortune small I THE ISLAND MINSTRKL, 7 Vain hope t if sweet contentment is not found Where health enthroned and plenty cheer our hearts, Not Illinois, nor famed Australia's ground, Can yield that blessing which the mind imparts. Thither let discontented wanderers go. Till, by experience taught, this doubted truth they know. My native Isle I fit subject for the lays Of sweeter minstrel, still the prompting power, Which led me simply to attempt thy praise Shall sweetly prompt me to my latest hour : For, bound to thee by nature's tender ties. To thee I feel my warmest wish must flow Thy verdant fields, thy placid summer skies, Thy loaded Autumns, and thy Winter's snow — All nearest to my thought, if reason reigns. Must ever prompt the song, while love of song remains. 8 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. THE ISLAND ADRIFT. The sky of politics was clear, No cloud portended danger near, And glorious sunshine lent its grace, To brighten Whig and Tor/s face : The rival parties might be seen, In confab, mind with mind. With faces beaming as serene As if were buried all their spleen, And animus unkind. Where Watson's door of drug store stands. You might observe them shaking hands. Like worthy brothers all ; And no whit kinder could they be, If physic'd into charity. By drugs had there, or else at the Apothecaries' Hall 1 But oft the sky's serenest form, Is but a prelude to the storm. And so in Charlottetown : While all seemed peaceable and well. Sir Donald Campbell broke the spell That bound the wind — ^why ? none could tell, Nor keenest scent beforehand smell The storm in which the Assembly fell, In fearful ruin down. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Philosophers may strive in vain, The freaks of nature to explain; But all that tribe, so wond'rous wise, Can never solve her mysteries. Or read her riddles plain ! , High soaring thro' the solar way, The/re very apt to get astray. Perhaps to turn their brain t — So whea this storm did fury gain, From cloudless sky a hurricane, The moving cause was far from plain- And Conrmj shouted might and main, And raised to mouth his hand ; And high was heard above the blast His voice, ** the Island's drifting fast, " Birch Bagster's crisis here at last : " Be lively, boys, cut down the mast, " Well be on Nova Scotia cast " That foggy, barren land ! " Then Robert Mooney — ^honest soul — With feeling strong above control ; Indignant such a noise to hear, Did upright stand — and ev'ry ear Was bent in Ust'ning mood,— And thus quoth he — *' brave Island boys, *' Let nothing take you by surprise, " The storm may do us good ; 10 THE ISLAl^D MINSTREL. " The roaring wind doth counsel lend, " That we should on ourselves depend, '* And mind what we're about, " And not cry out like frighten'd men ** Before we're hurt — in Flinty Glen, " Are plenty stones — what danger then ? ** Let's tie a boulder to the chain, ** And though the storm as loud again ** Should roar, well ride it out." Now fury and confusion reign'd, To save themselves all tugg'd and strain'd ; The tories look'd in terror round, The whigs cried out ** we'll all be drown'd ! " And, jostling rudely, did aspire To climb o'er tories' shoulders higher — As may be thought, this rais'd their ire, And friendship ceas'd to be— The snarlers claim'd the starboard side. The snatchers curs'd their saucy pride. And many a lusty eflfort tried To push them to the lee. And now were many wordy blows, Hurl'd headlong at opposing foes, Who firm and with unbroken brain Did send them thund'ring back again: Lost were all thoughts of shipwreck now> In noise of this stupendous row I THX IBLAKD MIKBTRSL. 11 While ever and anon. In hope of gain some chang'd their coats, And others offered bribes for votes, So hardly were they run ! But while went on this furious strife Wherewith the atmosphere was rife, And battle dubious hung. Could no one born of woman say Where Dome and Longworth were that day ? Heroes of many a bloodless fray, — And famous men among The tory tribe, and Jemmy YeOj '' What " or " wherever " did he go ? Not on the ground to strike one blow. One snatcher's eye to bung ! But all the deeds of daring done, The muse could never think upon. How to the charge brave Warburton Led on the western van ; And Dennis Joe McDonald tried The mettle of the eastern side, — Haazard, with Longworth John allied^ Their gallant spirits well applied, And how to break the Doctor's pride, Lord charged him to try-on ! But Oh ! I'm fairly out of wind. Though much to say is left behind, Or better left alone. 12 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. So let them charge, or fight, or fly Or in the contest Kve or die, It shall not cost the muse a sigh, " The glory's all their own ! " ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE " ISLANDER" NEWSPAPER, 1843. Wont an Irishman fight for his comitryman boniy And belabor the party would irate him mth scorn? — Sure to differ in county or creed is but small, And an Irishman's name more than covers it all* Sent the Highlandman's house to the stranger be- long. If that stranger have godic to help him along ? With this recommendation. 111 venture my life, Hell be welcome to eVry thing else but the wife. So the name of an Islander gladdens the ear, And ensures from the natives protection and cheer, For marked would the churl be, with lasting dis- grace. That would close his front door in an Islander^B face! THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 18 Now my brave honest Islander, list while I tell You the truth without flatt'ry — I like you right well, But I will not aver, as some false lovers do, With a lie on their lips, " I like no one but you." But cringe not nor truckle wherever you go. Always keep independence and honor in view, Still continue to walk by integrity's rule. Nor despise good advice tho' it comes from a fool. Ill not ** Haszard " a name, tho* some parties may choose To think none but themselves ought to " Herald " the news, But such selfish contracted opinions must fall. And, but pull without crowding, there's room for you aU. But a few scratches more ere I lay down my pen, For the humor may not come upon me again, I would ftirther advise, you may do as you please, That you straightway adopt resolutions like these. Resolved — ^that as total exemption from strife. Is the fortunate state of no business in life. The " Islander " never shall leave the fair track. To provoke his compeers by a wanton attack. 14 THE ISLAND MINSTREI. But if, jostling and pushing, they use him unfair, If in snow-drifted roads they want more than their share. Then, resolved, that he will not be backward to show What an insulted Islander's able to do ! And since public opinion, not faultless I own, — Mostly judges of men by the coats they have on. Then resolved, that the Islander never appear. In a garment so thin tliat it's certain to tear. And if ever the wasp and moscheto unite, To vex and annoy him for nothing but spite, — Then, " if no better means of revenge shall be known. Be it further resolved that he let them alone," ON THE ELEVATION OF MR. PETERS TO THE JUDGESHIP, Judge Jarvis of the legal bench, Had seen a better day, Ere Farther Time had powdered o'er His locks with silver grey ; When, fiiU of saws and maxims wise. Upon the legal throne. He sat — surrounded by the bar — And judged the law alon^. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 15 But wisdcan, nor integrity, Nor birth, nor fortune can Ward off the heavy stroke of age, That falls on mortal man ; Decrepitude assailed him, Upon the legal throne, He wanted one to help him do What erst he did alone I A learned long soHcitor, A friend in time of need, By order from the higher powers, Was thereupon decreed To mount with him the legal bench, To scan indictments' flaws. And set him right, if he went wrong, In judgment of the lawg. And here I cannot but observe. What often has been proved, How much it moves the smaller fry, When bigger fish are moved ; Another long solicitor Was wanted in the stead Of him who had promotion gained, By fortune upwards led. 16 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. So then, by virtue of the power Invested in the crown, The other long solicitor Beceived a silken gown ; A very pretty gown, indeed ! As ever lawyer wore, And costly more by fiyr ^ban that He had to wear before I But, forasmuch as that same gown Was fringed — ^if you please — With divers large emoluments. And hemmed around with fees ; An Island Statute did require That he he should straightway go Back to the hustings, and enquire Of Harry, Dick, and Joe, 1 If they were still content, that he Who stood before them there. Should in the Assembly's lower House, Yet occupy a chair. To represent the burghers fat, And lean, of every grade. And frame enactments, to protect Our thriving Island trade ? THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 17 And now a glorious chance was this, By changes brought about, To make another change, and keep The long, lean lawyer out- Old Vulcan kindled up in wrath, And poked his smutty fire, And swore his son should have the seat As sure as he was aire ; Because his son had made a speech On nomination day, Upon protection to our trade. Which made e'en P— r say, Of all the orators in Town That none appear'd to be. To represent the tradeamerCs rights. So competent as he ! If these were not the very words. He understood them so, — And now the bellows he should quit, Nor strike another blow On vulgar steel, or iron red. But go to legislate ; And weld the breaches of the laws And fractures of the state I 18 THE ISLAND MIKSTBEL. Then such another hubbuboo As did assail our ears ! And all of it occasioned by That lawyer's hopes and years ! Young Vulcan said, that pledged to him Were good three hundred votes, Of tradesmen staimch, who, he was sure, Would never turn their coate. The long Solicitor aghast Stood, when he heard the news, And look'd " unutterable things," And shook in both his shoes I And 'tis supposed by supersti- Tious persons in the Town, He wish'd he had the seat again, The d ^1 had the gown ! A meeting next was held in Town, All to investigate On which side this young Vulcan meant To pillar up the State ? And 'twas proposed that he should still Continue on to blow Vv ith Coles, — ^the same as he had blown In the old forge below ! THE ISLAND MINSTREL^ 19 Was ever proposition made Like this to mortal born ? — The indignant smith rejected it, With moat indignant scorn, And, wishing nothing, but to serve His Queen and Country's weal, Went back, a wiser man, to ham- Mer bars of blister steel. *' Let not Ambition mock his useful toil, His homely joys and destiny obscure ; " Nor the long lawyer look with scornful smile Until his own election be secure. 2 NEW year's day, 1850. How rapidly the moments waste. From New Year's unto New Year's day f How swiftly flies, in eager haste, Our little span of life away ! Like magic pictures to the eye. That flit, ere well distinct they seem Our time in visions passes by, All shadowy as a morning dream ! 20 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. The flow ry Spring, its fragrant breath Exhales in Sumiuer's sober charms, And Summer, crowned with many a wreath, Soon fading, falls in Autumn's arms. Anon, wild Winter claims the right To reach his frosted sceptre round : Autumn admits his sovereign might. And spreads liis glories on the ground. Thus all the seasons swiftly fly. And, when reviewed at last, they seem Like magic pictures to the eye. Or thoughts of some oblivious dream. Life's seasons, too, as soon succeed, And run their little round as fast ; We scarce can trace their eager speed, Or mark the changes, ere the/re past. An infant-smile, with witching grace, Plays o'er the maiden's features fair, Then passes to the matron's face. To lose itself in wrinkles there. The rosy boy, in thoughtless glee. Soon spends his childhood's happy days ; The you^ essays the man to be. And emulate his father's ways ; THE ISLAND MINSTREL. sa But soon he finds, when manhood strong A few short years has coped with care, Age steals with silent steps along, And sprinkles frost upon his hair. Thus all life's seasons swiftly fly I — And, when reviewed at last, will seem, Like magic pictures to the eye. Or fragments of a broken dream. THE STATE SWEEPSTAKS. PART I. — THE PROSPECT. To give an account of this beautiful race, The jockeys, the jennies, the time, and place, Would require a hand as able As the powerful arm of Hercules, 'Bout which mythologists make such a friss, With which, though unlikely, it seems to us, He cleaned out the Atigean stable The prizes in prospect were rich and rare, And the course was clear for whoever might dare To ride in the race of my story. 22 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. The judges decided, to settle the din, That the foremost horse should first come in, And then, as a matter of course^ should win The prize, the plaudits, and glory. The Treasury cup was a splendid thing, And well worth running for, round the ring, By horse, or gelding, or pony ; A piece of plate, both massy and old. Which whilom was won, as IVe been told, By Spenser, not Sydney Smith the bold, Who was more than a match for Boney. And many a fancy this cup inspired. And many and high were the hopes it fir'd Through many a breast in the nation : 'Twas a whisky flagon, of classic design, But might, on occasions, be used for wine : Off all other flagons it took the shine For beautiful ornamentation I One side of the cup had a bass-relief Of something like Phaeton, that fugitive thief That with fire endangered our planet ; But, instead of Phaeton careering astray, Great George in a chariot was posting away. Drawn fleetly along by a powerful dray That tlirough the elements ran it. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 2S Then the Haviland cup, for the horse most fleet, Was the golden prize for the second heat ; And many did wish they might win it : And well worth winning was it for him Who had the luck I — ^from bottom to brim It was covered outside with ornament trim, And the marriage fees within it ! Next, the " Printer's purse," upon which were seen, All richly emblazoned, the arms of the Queen, And the knot of the string that bound it : Transverse were the signs of the Printing trade. And a thumping big loaf of the Government bread, With the editors all, Johrij Jemmy ^ and Ned, And the Printers' devils around it. Then another race, to vary the fun, For the purse of the Ecxise had to be run ; But the jockeys began to parley About its value, and what it would hold If filled with silver, or stuffed with gold : Bae thought it was light, if the truth were told, So 'twas carried off home by Charlie, 'Twas also decided, before they were done. That the donkey races should all be run ; For racing was all the passion : 24 THE ISLAND MINSTREl. A stir on the turf had never been seen Like this, since Albert married the Queen, Or the nimble ** Micmac" cover'd the green When Croker's was yet in fashion PART IT. — GATHERING TO SEE THE SPORT. Occurrences meet us at every turn, From which we " some lesson of wisdom might learn," Were we only so wise as to con it : For the lovers of sport— what a numerous throng! And those who consider that ra€ing is wrong, Here's a peg for all parties sufficiently strong To hang up a moral upon it. If the market be brisk, or otherwise dull. If the church on a sabbath be empty, or full, Depends on the state of the weather : Not so with the crowds to the races who go ; They care not for rain, or how hard it may blow, As, lur'd by the scent when the carcass lies low, The eagles will gather together. From point of the east, where Aurora's first red Doth blush, in the morning, on Scotchmen in bed, To the other " Ultima Thule," THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 25 The cape of the west, where the evening sun Dips into the wave when his journey is done, Like a genderleaa horse, impatient to run, The Island seem'd getting unruly I Besponsihle races ! the thrill of that sound. Like fire among stubble, ran over the ground, And hundreds of two-legged pacers. From evVy place you could mention or find — The laddies so braw, and the lassies so kind. The young and the old, the halt and the blind, Must all have a peep at the racers I First, Ronald of Tulhchy fam'd chieftain of old, Came on, at the head of his clansmen so bold, With an indescribable canter ; Next followed an old Highland Piper, to play The fatigues of a fifty-mile journey away ; And few were the Scotchmen at home who could stay When they once heard the sound of his chanter. The fierce Tracadonies, Glenaladale*s clan, . For ftm, feud, or foray, turn'd out to a man ; With shouting the country resounded : Among them were those who, to gratify spleen. Burnt a cottage and barn that stood on the green, Fir'd a shot at their Chief, son of Tracadie's Queen, And well nigh the coronach sounded ! Iini i 26 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. These, flocking in droves, came, and, westwardly more, Came swarms from the Capes and the New London shore. Beating hollow a General Election ; For Paddy, avoumeen, and Sandy, and John, And the Kustico French, with their moccassins on, In this vortex of sporting together were drawn, And all in a raceward direction. " Besponsible races ! " was shouted amain. Responsible races ! was echoed again ; And every voice that was able, To the chorus that rang through the country around. Lent its quantum of noise, until it was found That the dogs, upon hearing this terrible sound, Ran howling from kennel to stable I Perchance they might howl, if dogs can presage. As some think they can, in this wonderful age. To think of forthcoming disasters : For the records of racing, in country and town, Will certify this, that many a crown Went sound to the races, but, crack'd on tibe groimd, Came home again covered with plasters. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 2r PART III. — THE BLOODS. The morning was fine, the way was clear ; Caparison'd richly the coursers were there ; The dust hadn't time to settle : For prancing about and frothing like soap, The champing steeds, with their mettle up, Were straining to start for each precious cup Of a different kind of metoL The bloods to start for the Treasury prize Were of different countries, color and size, Whichever might happen to win it. The brewer's Bounce was — as breeders say — By ** Cupidity " out of an Iron gray, Kemotely jfrom *' Childers" fam'd in his day For running a mile in a minute. Next, RvMight Will, that of old did browse, When a colt, on the banks of the river Ouse, And was sired by Wiry Walter From a fancy dam, of pedigree rare, Descended from Bess^ Dick Turpin's mare. That gallop'd from London to York thro' the air. And saVd his neck from the halter. 28 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. For the ffaviland cup, the second prize, Which made such an unaccountable noise Among the response able gentry — Three mettlesome steeds as you'd wish to see, Sound in wind and in limb, and warranted free From vicious habits of ev'ry degree, Were nam'd on the book of entry. First, the " Aberdeen blue," an out and out dash, That trotted like thunder and gallop'd like flash, Was bred a regular ^oe, Sir ! Though some did affirm — ^be it said to their shame, That envied his breeding or wish'd for his fame. From his rawness of bone they were certain he came From a lean " Narraganset " pacer. Next, western WarhUngton stood on the course, A regular thorough-bred Irish horse, From the grand Port Arlington drubber. That inherited all the mettle and fire Of great '* Fotgh-a-ballach^'* his grandfather's sire, That all the world knows was a beauty entire^ Without any India Kubber. Who made up the trio ? — ^perhaps not to tell TiU the race is all over might answer as well, Could I only persuade you to think it ; THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 29 But if you insist all my secrets to share, Why, guess, and 111 teU you, I freely declare, For I can't view the question at all as unfair, Tho* some might be ready to blink it. Then, hurra for the steeds I and for every steed, A fig for his country, or color, or breed ; Had I thousands to stake, I might bet them. When bright, golden cups depend on a chase, A good deal of stir will be seen in that place ; And the hindermost horses will forfeit the race. While those that run fastest will get them. THE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS, AiB. — The Royal Fusileers. *' To hero boune for battle strife^ Or bardy of martial lay, ' Twere worth ten years of peaceful Ufe^ One glance at their array ! '* — ScOTT. Come, kittle up a cheerful air, A lively, martial strain, The Spring returns, and fancy yearns To breathe in song again — » THE ISLAND MINSTREL. The loyal Mupe cannot but choose To raise three hearty cheers ! And pledge a health, long life and wealth, To Pollard's Volunteers I To Pollard's Volunteers, my boys ! The English Volunteers ! And Croply, too, the Serjeant true, That trained the Volunteers I Nor shall the Muse her praise refuse To Captain Eankin's corps, Another band, that ready stand. To guard our native shore : Fill out a flowing bumper, then, Health ! honors ! wealth and years ! Tc Captain Rankin's gallant men, The Highland Volunteers ! The Highland Volunteers, my boys ! To Eankin's Volunteers, O'Brien, too, that * put them through/ That drill'd the Volunteers 1 No more shall we defenceless be, When dread Invasion comes — For yet we boast another host, To " sentinel our homes." THE ISLAND MINSTRKL. a *^ EAn go Bragh ! " one loud hurra I The company appears ! All dress'd in green, to serve the Queen, The Irish Volunteers ! The Irish Volunteers, my boys, The Irish Volunteers ! Selectest joys to Erin's boys, The Irish Volunteers, And so the English Rose is seen. And Scotia's Prickly Pride^ And Ireland's Shamrock evergreen. All growing side by side : Long may they grow, and bud, and blow, To grace succeeding years ; And long may we united see Our Island Volunteers ! The Island Volunteers, my boys, Prince Edward's Volunteers! Long, long may we united see Our Island Volunteers I Yes ! ever hence, for oiir defence. Our liberties and lives, We need not fear for children dear, For sweethearts, or for wives. 32 THE ISLAND MINSTREI. Let foreign foes but show their nose — Our valiant Volunteers, With rifles true, will drill them through While puss would rub her ears ! While puss would rub her ears, my boys, While ]i M >8 would rub her ears I Our Rijlea true will drill 'em through While puss would rub her ears I SPRiNG';:5 rlOIJlM V Now surly winter's storms are o'er, The air is keen with frost no more,, Descends the soft refreshing rain. And meadows " flourish green again ; " All nature smiling looks so gay, You'd think Spring held a holiday. The air is balmy, mild, and clear, The warbling choristers appear ; Sweet music greets the early dawn, Sweet flo Vrets deck the sunny lawn ; And sportive lambs Msk full of play^ To welcome Spring's fair holiday. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 33- Its gladd'ning light the sunbeam throws And sparkling bright the river flows ; E'en on the rude unsheltered shore, The restless surges cease to roar ; For stormy winds their fury stay, To honor Spring's fair holiday. The least the muse and I can do, Is then to honor nature too, To seat ourselves 'neath some green shade, Of spreading birch trees' branches made, And sing all sorrow far away On Spring's delightful holiday. Our song shall rise in tunefiil air, Unsadden'd by one note of care ; We'll taste the bliss the day bestows. Forgetful of to-morrow's woes. Since who on earth is wise to say. Hell see the next Spring's holiday ? But is it so ? — can no one tell. Can no one break the purblind spell ? Ah me ! that sad uncertain thought With sorrow's heaviest gloom is fraught^ Earth's fairest forms entomb'd may lay Before the next Springes holiday. 34 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. And those who live, — ^thus sings the Muse — Must live to look on sterner views : Those flowers, so beautiful that bloom, Shall shortly lose their sweet perfume ; Their brightest hues must tade away, The scentless leaves themselves decay, And Flora's train, in pensive hours, Shall mourn the fate of dying flowers, September's winds again shall rave. And madly lash the raging wave, Whose wrath the mariner shall mock. And dash his vessel on the rock. Of this sweet shade October's blast The crisping leaves shall wildly cast. In frantic circles through the air. And leave the stems and branches bare. The dark November's sleeting rain And scowling wind must sweep the plain ; To shelter run the shiv'ring droves, And not a song shall cheer the groves. But here the Muse 'serenely smil'd, As if by pleasing thought beguil'd, And, to the vaulted, azure sky She rais'd her clear, prophetic eye, Sublime, beyond the sight of men. And higher than the eagle's ken ; THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 35 Faith strengthen'd still the vision strong, Then, turning, she resumed her song : In fairest worlds beyond the tomb The loveliest flowers immortal bloom ; He that secures an entrance there May sing his descant free from care ; Fcr there are no inclement skies, There stormy winds can never rise ; Upon that happy tranquil coast, No shattered barque is tempest tost. But peace, with joy supreme, obtains, And full fruition ever reigns ; Thence wandering Spring shall never stray, But hold eternal holiday. (( THE OLD TRADE, "BASKET MAKING. For epochs and ages the rushes had been, By the rivers and marshes, with bulrushes green. Growing, tall in their season, in flourishing pride, But in Autumn the rushes turned yellow, and died ! What a marvel that rushes should so be forgot. And only grow green to turn mouldy and rot, And no one conceive what a brisk thriving trade Might be driven, if baskets from rushes were made I 36 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. To the West India Islands our commerce might glide, And windward and leeward be richly supplied With the rush manufacture, and then we might see, In return, loads of sugar to sweeten our tea. But often, aye, often, we're struck with surprise To think from small matters what great ones arise, And this big speculation, this project so ripe. Took its rise — can you think it ? — from beating for snipe ! None now who will work need be out of employ, — What with cutting and spreading the rushes to dry, And stacking, and such preparations for trade. As can't be dispensed with ere baskets are made. Long live the projector to try his own hand. At the rush and mat business, to rise in this land, And receive due applause for his project so ripe. Which has struck him so forcibly ** beating for snipe ! " THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 37 SONG OF THE ''DISCONTENTS/' ON THE DECISION OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON THE SUBJECT OF VACANCIES, 1844. That period delusive we long shall remember, And think on its issue with sorrow and pain, When " libert/s sun," in the month of December, Peep'd only to be overclouded again. Not the mariner's eye, in the dismal confusion That reigns over night when disputing with day, E'er conve/d to the mind a more pleasing illusion To vanish in dark disappointment away. We had call'd the chief m^n of our forces together, And with loud declamation, approaching uproar. Had made it appear there was "nothing like leather ; " Gk)od, suitable, tough agitation once more. We had found a new subject for dissatisfaction. Forsook the old grievance, " the tenure of soil," And exploded the Bill for a penal exaction, Which libell'd the peaceable sons of our Isle. 38 THJS ISLAND MINSTREL. We had carped at the head of the administration, Shewn how justly unpopular Government stood, Lent Responsible rule our best recommendation, And shewn its advantage as well as we could. To the Pontiff* himself we had written our letters, And dinn'd in his ears the defects of the law ; But, behold ! when we looked for his breaking our fetters, He fastened them tighter by mending the flaw. Thus the swift sailing bark, with a brisk bounding motion, May open the port on the mariner's view, But a change in the wind drive her back to the ocean, And founder the fond cherish'd hopes of her crew ! So sunk are the hopes of our high expectation ; We have learned to our cost that ambition is vain ; Now it only remains that we learn resignation. Nor venture to swim upon bladders again. * Hon. Joseph Pope. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 3?. HIOH-BLOOD AND HAIR-TRIGGERS. An ' * honey machree, did you hear of the fight, Foi Me likes was*nt heard of before^ Ot the terrible dewl that took place t'other night Whin the gintlemen met on the shore, Wid pistols each other to kill or to wing ; And the rason so simple to teU, For the quarrel was, which of the town should be king When the Governor went to Morell. AEv. ''erandy the iUigant poet, they say. At home, wid the pistol or pen, Wid the Georgestown mimber the fairest of play Wint to shew to the deweling men : And the finest of canisther powder was found, And the best of hair-triggers to boot, And the seconds wint jflrst all to measure the ground. And to give them the token to shoot. They stood overright twenty paces apart, Two beautiful dewlers entire ! But the brewer, they say, gave a terrible start When the pistol of Parchment struck fire ! 40 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. And you'd think that himself was all shattered in bits Wid the noise that wint up in the air ! Enough to scare Buonaparte out of his wits, Or duke Willinton if he was there ! And, it's what they all say was the crame of the joke. Op the top of this murtherin spree Tney both wint stone blind wid the dust of the smoke. And no lawyer the brewer could see. So, says he thin, to hit you I never need try, You're as thin in the waist as a loon ; And he pointed his calibore up at the sky, And let bang at " the man in the moon." LOSS OF THE FAIRY QUEEN, IN NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT, OCTOBER 7th, 1853. TO EDWARD LANGLEY LYDIARD, Esquire. Dear Sir; With feelings of gratitude to Him " who holds the waters in the hollow of his hand," for his signal inter- position in the rescue of yourself and other survivors of the late calamitous Shipwreck of the Fairy Queen, I take the liberty of dedicating the following verses, com- memorative of that heart-rending event, to one whose efforts in behalf of his deserted and suffering fellow- passengers, and whose firm faith and fortitude, evinced on that trying occasion, will long live in the remem- brance of his fellow-townsmen, and be admired by none more than by, Sir, Your very sincere friend and well-wisher, JOHN LE PAGE. Central Academy, 1st November, 1853. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 42 LOSS OF THE FAIRY aUEEN. I. THE INTRODUCTION. Sad is the burden of my song, A tale of death and human wrong ; Involving deeds of such disgrax;e As seldom shame the human race. No fancy sketch ! no trifling theme ! Ah ! would it were an airy dream I But sternest truth — ^which takes the form. Of midnight murder in a storm ! n. THE FAIRY QUEEN. Seldom by mortals has been seen A boat like that same Fairy Queen : While all must hope, as honest men, Her like may not be seen again I By judges good pronounc'd a hore When first she voyag'd to our shore ; C/ondemn'd upon the Fundy seas, And trembling to the Summer breeze t Not fashioned like another Boat : A baited man-trap ! set afloat THE ISLAND MINSTRISi. 4» Without proportion, ropes, or strength ; And, from her most prodigious length, By superstition judg'd to be The genuine " Serpent of the Sea I " Old, rotten, leaky, insecure ! And, like a sepulchre impure. Where bones amid corruption lie, Was paint-besmear'd to please the eye^ While speculating for the trade, Before her tria^ trip was made. Many surmisVl she would not suit In Autumn's gales, on such a ronte; And, more in earnest than in jest, Such thought was currently expressed.. Alas 1 alas ! the Fairy Queen ! Her fate was easily foreseen — There needed no prophetic skill Thus to forbode approaching ill. Or see the tvraith of coming wreck. Plain as the gallows on her deck I III. THE SURVEY I The acts of private life should be From censure and from satire free : All have their failings : he with none, And only he, should '^ cast the stone.'^ 44 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. The wretch, who dares, at envy's call, To dip his pen in ink of gall, 'Mongst friendly folk to kindle strife, And blacken shades of private life, Deserves, — and may he never miss A scornful, hearty, public hiss ! But public acts of public men Are all fair game — ^here's at them, then I The Fairy Queen had come for trade, (Of course she had to be surveyed), Whatever confidence might be In Whitney plac'd, security Made more secure was wanted still. That she was able to fulfil In handsome style — ^with safety too — The business which she had to do ! Say what you will, it is no joke To buy a pig within a poke : Men now-a-days, we may aver, ** Are wiser than their fathers were ! " Witness — if any doubt there be — The steamboat wonders which we see ! Witness the telegraphic wires. Where swifter news the lightning tires 1 Witness, the railroads too abroad — What pageantry " to turn the sod I * THE ISLAKD MINSTREL. 46 All, flitting past the fancy, seem The framework of some morning dream ! Which tells us, half asleep in bed, ** Tis time to rise and go ahead ! '' Pardon this little episode — These railroads lead me off my road, The muse pursues her headlong way, But loses sight of the survey 1 So to our tale — ^in prose or rhyme. There's nought like one thought at a time. " When Hope indulges visions bright," One lovely, balmy Summer night, Some Councillors might have been seen Passing on boar.d the Fairy Queen, A formal trial trip to make ; And all supposed them wide awake ! When cause exists for public blame, 'Tis folly Councillors to name I The cap remains, a public pawn. He whom it fits may put it on I Yes, some of them, we're bold to say. Were competent for that survey — By building ships had earned their food, Had used the tools^ and knew the wood I Then, to remove all cause of fear, Was shipped an extra Engineer, p mB 'Wi PI^^^^^H i&M^ ft'M^^H^^U' \m m^^^H '. f}^iy Sil9^I^^^^KM , k'Jg'j.! 1 m^^RH^^^^bI 1 ■ « THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Who something knew ! — ^tho' envy said, " No ftirther than the Blacksmith's trade." Some say (how many says there be, They surely were not there to see). That Whitney took them by smprise, Drew Neptune's night-cap o'er their eyes ; Mysterious thing, of potent charm. To make the blood and spirits warm, And fill the brain with phantasies Which cheat the sense, but fancy please. Thus entertain'd, no more they knew ! Fancy had reason's work to do ; And while did last the powerful spell. They must suppose that all was well I All this is very strange — say you ? — Admitted, still it may be true : Someyacfe are strange ! for chemists know Objects of ordinary show In lovely violet colors shine Seen through the fumes of Iodine ! But, true or false, one fact is clear, They all returned in safety here, Unscath'd by either fire or flood — Had tried and then pronounced her — good I The country knows — ^without my pen — Which bull-frog croaked the loudest then ! THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 47 IV. HER LAST CREW. Her Crew ! and who or what were they ? In sooth, 'tis very hard to say ! What were they ? is it asked again ? Not British seamen — that is plain. Who ever heard of British tars By frightful shipwreck or by wars In peril placed— deserting there The lives entrusted to their care ? No ! deeds of such eternal shame Disgrace not British seamen's name — Theirs often it has been to show Such qualities as heroes know — To plunge into a waf ry grave Some fellow-creature's life to save, And win a reputation great, Which still suivives in spite of fate ! Such VoLNEY Beckner, was thy deed I And such thy glorious lasting meed I The schoolboy, as he learns thy fame, Still yrcsAe/w with a tear thy name, Admires and sees, with glist'ning eye, The hero in the * Sailor boy ; ' — Thy monument, bis memory. More richly spic'd thou couldst not be I 48 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. So fares the brave ! but Fate decrees, On quiet land or stormy seas, The coward's memory shall roty For infamy is best forgot : But here the Muse must veil the view. And not prejudge the craven crew, Must leniently the curtain draw, And shut them to their countr/s law. V. ? THE SHIPWRECK. The Summer's reign had passed away, And Autunm come with shortening day. Most things — as things in Autumn do — Began to wear a sombre hue. The lovely landscape, fresh and grand. As sketched by Summer's softer hand, In lively green, now fading, wore More varied colors than before. The winds were bleak — ^trees getting bare,^ The ravag'd foliage fill'd the air ; No longer warblers set to tune Their mellow throats I — ^it was not June. October's winds began to rave. And lift the angry, troubled wave. The sailor, voyaging the seas, Could seldom trust the fickle breeze. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Which often— ere he trunra'd his sail — Would freshen fast into a gale, Booking the sea-boy fast asleep, In danger cradled, on the deep I VI. At such a season, last was seen Slow steaming oif, the Fairy Queen, Already more than half a wreck, iWith youth and beauty on her deck I Ah ! little thought that hapless band, As they receded from the land, That some at least should never more Set foot again upon the shore ! But hark ! the wind doth freshen now, And curl the foam around the prow. She ships a sea ! — no cause for fear — None apprehended danger near. As yet no bosom heaves a sigh ; Hope, beaming, brightens every eye \ Some passengers had spread their sails On rougher seas, in heavier gales ! They feel upon the angry sea A fatal, false security. Yes I little deem'd they hope should fail, And wan despair, with visage pale, Usurp her place, and they, forlorn, 4» 50 THB I8LAND MINSTREL. Be left; to death's embrace ere mom t Yet 80 it happ'd, sudden blow ! Disastrous day ! and night of wo ( What sad reverses did ye bring ! How shall the Muse the contrast sing ? Some met that morning's rosy dawn With bosoms light as bounding fawn, Which throbb'd at visionary joys, Spread out by Hope to fancy's eyes. The young, the delicate, the fair, The chaste, the beautiful were there, Who vainly hop'd, ere long, to be With friends chey never more must see — At least till Time's last hour has sped. And " greedy Seas restore their dead I " VII. 'Tis now a gale I with gales to cope How frail a rotten tiller-rope ? It breaks ! none to replace it new. Before 'tis splic'd she broaches to ! The shade of night approaches fast, And danger is discern'd at last ; The vessel has no steerage way ! The crazy engines cease to play ; And stronger now their gathering fears, They seek the dusky engineers THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 51 To know the cause — wlio burely ^>eem Remiss in getting u}) the stctani. Wliat tongue shall now tlie truth declare ? The fires are all extinguished there ; In furnace. dry a flame may roar, But in bilge-water burn no more. And now of raging waves the sj)ort, The knotted tiller-rope too short, Thev strive to steer without avail, To turn her head, hoist forward sail. But naught mil veer her sluggish bow, And hope seems fast ex})iring now ; They speak their fears with laboring breath, Then anchor on the banks of death. VIII. And grimly glares the eye of fate ; The boat is in a sinking state ! The crew imulting from the first, The passengers 7mist fear the worst. Pumps choked ! as useless as the sail ! Their only hope is now to bail ! She lurches, trembles, settles to, In spite of all that they can do. Yet still they " wage unequal strife," And w^ork like men who work for life. To pour the floods which flow amain. 4 52 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. In ocean's raging breast again » But vain is their laborious toil, The leak increases all the while ; And sink she must I — ^but while she floats. They think of safety in the boats ! 'Tis almost useless here to say That both the boats were stol'n away I And they deserted to their doom, A sudden death, and wat'ry tomb I The crew themselves — ^no lots were drawn^ Have slipped the painter and are gone I The passengers upon the wreck Entreat them, threaten^ urge them back. Implore their help in plaintive tones, (Such accents might have soften'd stones) " For Heaven's, if not for pit/s sake Return — ^and but the /e/wa/cs take I We're men ! and tho' 'tis hard to die. For women's sake who would not try ! At midnight black, in such a state. They are abandon'd to their fate i A heavier lurch ! — beneath the waves She sinks, to open seven new graves. Hear ye that shriek ! — but Fancy fails — Life's battle's fought, and death prevails I THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 63 IX. THE DIROE. Alas for liumaii hopes and joys I How shadowy ! insecure ! Life like the morning vapour flies Death ! ever at the door ' How pleasantly in youth we ch'oara — Some unexi>ected blow, Upsets each unsubstantial scheme, And lays our " Castles " low. Life is indeed a tragic scene ! * "Alternate hope and fear ! " And both extremes have often been United strangely here — For death, the tyrant stern and strong, A cniel part doth play ; And oft burlesques with funeral song The marriage roundelay. "'♦^ li the wave two maidens sleep, ^ jre (feign'd) the mermaids rove — Two disappointed lovers weep The ladies of their love. * Montgomery. 54 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Ah ! who could think such hopes should fail ? So well arranged their plans ! Sure jealous Death rode on the gale In haste to stop the bans ! Some abler bard, of nobler fame, Indignant at thy wrong, McKenzie ! yet may write thy name In pity's mournful song ; To last, while melancholy tone Has power the heart to sway, When cenotaph of polish'd stone Hdif>> fretted all away ! Some more — ^the minstrel knew-tliem not — Beneath the billows sleep ; But doubtless they are not forgot, They, too, had friends to weep. Hamill is there ! I knew him well, Tha helpless orphans' stay ; God's ways are most inscrutable. What more can mortal say ? XI. THE RAFT. Safe from the wreck and billows roar The Crew and Captain reach the shore, THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 55 Ashore and safe ? no ! still they fear, For Lydiard's threat rings in the ear, " If Providence my life shall spare, And such a trust e'en here I dare, Youll rue your baseness by-and-by ; Well meet again — at Philippi ? " The Fairy Queen was lost to view, Sunk in the Strait — all but the crew. Who in the boats their safety found — Were overwhelmed — ^perhaps were drown'd. Perfidious boat ! whose like we see Described in ancient History ; Which cruel Nero did employ Vile Agrippina to destroy ! Some sunk with her in watVy roar, The prey of death, to rise no more ; But some, tho' in the briny main Thus whelm'd, to surface rise again ; And shadowy thro' the night is seen A relic of the Fairy Queen. On this they ^ their aching sight ; For this they swim with all their might ; To reach it now is all their care, Such safety as it jdelds to share. Some of their comrades, too, they see. Upborne upon its buoyancy ; These reach their hands, with genVous deed, To help the others in their need. 56 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Upon the piece of floating wreck, Which proves the " upper cabin deck/* I XII. Still tempest-tost in darkness drear, They feel that they have much to fear ; For tho' no sight of land they see. They hear the breakers on the lee ; And fear in Night's appalling s lade, Their present state is death delayed. But see ! Aurora's kindling eye And rising blush suffuse the sky ; They feel not quite so much fcrlorn. These are the tints of coming Morn ; Which chase the gloom from darkest night, Hope's harbingers to bless their sight ! And now they see the vision plain. E'en Hope herself is there again ! Each bosom feels the throb of joy — And thanks do every tongue employ. Hope for a moment plumes her wing, Then speaks as with the voice of Spring : — " When late your comrades, far from shore, Sank, seemingly to rise no more ; I, with another Seraph bright, €onvoy'd them to the realms of light ; THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 57 Thence, quick as thought, have joume/d here, Your fainting, troubled souls to cheer ; Yet trust in God, and fear no more, Fm sent to say the worst is o'er ; That fragile thing on which you stand Shall bear you safely all to land, From danger and the Fairy Queen ; And when your footsteps tread the green, Be careful how you tempt the main In such a crazy boat again/' Such was the truth, a sandy beech Was even now within their reach All realized as Hope had planned, For all in safety reached the land — The tempest, in their bosom, stilFd, And Lydiard's prophecy fulfiU'd ! I ! t 1 58 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. FATE OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. Where darkness gathers round the Pole, Where sun-beams cease to play, While, dreary as December, roll Six months in night away. The " Frost-King " dwells — dark is his port, And terrible his form, Surrounded l)y his phantom Court, The Ministers of Storm. !i if In sullen state he reigns alone. With frigid firmness bold, And strengthens still his icy throne Through centuries of cold ; Jealous, he sends, with deep disdain, His freezing glance around, To find if, in his chill domain, A rival may be found. Fulfilling his behests with care. His willing minions fly, Like "wizard shapes," through troubled air When meteors cross the sky — The rattling hail, the smothering snows Career with fury fast, When Boreas in his trumpet blows The hyperborean blast. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 69 Hark ! speaks the mighty King of Frost In wrath — what chafes his mood ? " Ye tempests rise ! or all is lost ; Two ships have crossed the flood ! From Albion's shore — her sons again Defy my power to freeze, — Britannia rules the Atlantic Main, But not the Polar Seas. "Arise ! bluff Boreas ! up and blow Till " crack your cheeks" with rage, And let those shivering mortals know The might they dare engage, — No enemy shall me provoke, No alien powV defy, Nor British hearts, nor British oak, ^ Shall scatheless me annoy. " And you, ye threatening clouds, arise, In awful volumes roll. And from the ga'^e of vulgar eyes Seal up the mystic Pole ;* ^n'^^^HH^j ■**' i^*i^^^n[|f]i ■ if ||H.»RHfw ■ ■■■^^l^i I HI I * This piece was written before any traces of Sir John Franklin and his party were discovered by those who went in search of the missing adventurers. The author is pleased to know that the Polar secret has since been read to the world by the nntiring energy of British and American science and investigation. %' 60 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Ye Frosts that pile the North in heaps, The princes of my name, Go, bind in chains Britannia's ships, As ti'ophies of my fame. " Away ! ye have no time to lose, With vigor vengeftil fly — To crystal statues turn their crews, And leave them where they lie, Ensephulchred in ice — no more My pow r shall Britons spurn — And those they've left on Albion s shore Their fate in vain shall mourn." Thus loud he spoke, with angry mien. His sovereign will to show, And pointed to his magazine ' Of everlasting Snow : The blust ring elements elate. In ready tempest rise, And shroud her sons' unhappy fate From Britain's weeping eyes I THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 61 THE GIANT CANTO I. ** Rom Puncheon was the Mighty Monster's name.** — Brooii HIS LINEAGE AND EARLY EXPLOITS. Traversing the Globe from Equator to Pole, A terrible Monster, that spurns at control. Goes forward with fearftil striding, Through Islands and Continents stalking grim, Over Oceans where Royal Navies swim ; Jack in seven-league boots was nothing to him, Or witches on broomsticks riding ! In his veins the redoubtable giant's blood Has run since the period of Noah's flood — A pulse of contamination ; Though sprung from the Sun ! as mythologists say, Who, disporting on earth one beautiful day, Pressed the rosy grape, in his amorous play, To a vinous fermentation ! And hence, this monster prodigious has grown, So subtle and strong, and to evil as prone As the Antediluvian devil ; 62 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. mw As a })roof his iniscbievous pow'r to shew, He wrestled with Noah, and gave him a throw. When the patriarch shipbuilder staggered below This giant of ponderous evil. When people in Sodom for sin were destroyed, He was gathering strength on the mountain side, To combat the ancient sages ; And Lot, who had 'scap'd from the liery rain. Which delug'd the Cities that stood on the Plain, !by this Giant, near Zoar, was endanger'd again, And diagrac'd thro' succeeding ages. These are some of his early, his evil ways, — Of the pranks he play'd in the primitive days, Then strong, now stronger and bolder, In the households of men, he kindles more strife Than the turbulent tongue of the termagant wife, Like a villain unhang'd, who has forfeited life, More villainous as he gets older. 'Mongst the heathen of old he wanderM abroad, And they gave him the name of the Rosy god, Ah ! how did the drouthy adore him ! And many there are in the Christian's land, Who flock to his shrine at a lift of the Juindy And worship him, until unable to stand, They fall in the gutter before him ! (( THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 63 Thus niultituiles vast their sacrifice pay, '' king, live forever ! " the devotees say, Like fools, predeterniin'tl to folly ; " Though he empty our purse and distemper our brain, Though he roll us in nmd, he shall roll us in vain, For as soon as we rise, we will seek him again. Great Bacchus ! the rosy and jolly ! " Then bereft of all reason, the worshipping throng Are shackled with fetters both galling and strong, By this Ogre acknowledged their master. And numberless victims — ^'tis true as my rhjine, Out of ev'ry nation, and kingdom, and clime, When bound in this manner, are driven to crime, To madness, and fatal disaster. And must he yet longer his power employ, And, like a bad angel, go forth to destroy Our earth in its moral complexion ? — Kise, Temperance men, to the mortal affray, For though in the mail of corruption he stray, In the joints of his harness youll smite him some day, And his carcass shall be for dissection. 64 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. CANTO II. HIS HORRIBLE VORACITY! Whatever has life, it may truly be said, As a matter of tastCy inclines to be fed On one thing, or else on another — Thus Chinamen eat up the rats and the mice ! And Frenchmen eat frogs, from a motive of choice ! While the Fegeean Islander, not over nice, Will sometimes regale on his brother ! There's no harm in eating — ^as I am aware — ^ Provided that one eat no more than hii share, And leave a like chance for his neighbor — I hold it a maxim in principle sound. And wise as the wisest, where maxims abound, ** That man is unwise, wherever he's found. Who enjoys not the good of his labor." How giants are fed ! we learn in our youth. In *' juvenile stories," — ^tho' far from the truth As the poles of the earth are asunder — Those talismans, made up of nursery lies, As famous specifics for squalling and noise. To act phrenologically on the boys. In raising their organs of wonder ! THE ISLAND MINBTREL. 65 In this way, how many a blubbering roar Is hush'd at the name of some big Blunderbore 1 Who takes a particular pleasure To carry off children that will not be good, With horrible clutch, to a neighboring wood, And swallow them whole as his daintiest food, Then crack up their bones at his leisure ! Away with the " nursery stories and rhymes ! " " Truth," certain, " is stranger than fiction "^at times, To speak with newspaper formality — To describe this foul monster, no fiction we^need, The grim giant Bum will beat hollow, for greed, All the Bogies and Brownies of Blundt -bore breed, While in fact he's a shocking ReoMty ! When the wretch, who has forfeited honesty's claims, Will pass in disguise under different names. We think it a very bad omen ! His case is the same, it doth plainly appear, There's Whisky, and Brandy, Gin, Cordial and Beer, With ''White Eye," and others we every day hear, — But Rum 's the generic cognomen I ;*! 66 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. If man would be safe, I forewarn him to shun Those places on earth where his cooking is done, By the processs of dark Distillation ! — That process, than even law processes worse — Where smoke in the air rises black as a hearse ! As the blessings of Heaven are turning to curaCy In the ruinous, fold operation. There puffing in fumes, he is bloated and fat, His heart is a furnace, his stomach a vat. Holding almost as much as a river ! Eternally filling — to fill it is vain ! No sooner he's full, than he hungers again ! — Molasses 1 and malt ! hops, potatoes and grain I Is the tune of his mash-tubs for ever I And shall he yet longer his power employ, God's bounties to man upon earth to destroy ? — A sin against reason and nature ! Ye Temperance Men, in your wisdom arise — You may stop his career without bluster or noise : There's nothing to do but to " stop the supplies!" As they say in the Legislature. ' THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 67 CANTO III. HIS EGREGIOUS QUACKERY I When the Queen — Heaven blesH her in every way — And Household most noble ! in Summer time stray, To breathe ' caller air * at Balmoral ; For pleasure they wander 'mid scenery old ; Or climb the steep mountain, with enterprizebold, Or away through the forest, to list, as we're told, To the sweet warblers' melody choral ; Perhaps whithin doors, to please them again The great northern "Wizard* plays legerdemain Till he seems in league with the devil ! He calls the foul Spirits, Gin, Brandy, and Kum, When running from one bottle's throat they all come! While mute stand the Court, in astonishment dumb, At his powV over Spirits of Evil ! But what need for wonder ? the black bottle spree, Remote from Balmoral, we ev'ry day see Play'd over till little 'tis heeded 1 * Professor AnderaoDt p k i iC 68 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. The Kum-Griant Wizard has wav'd his black wand, To troop all the Spirits he has at command, And cheat all the world, with the sleight of his hand, And in truth very far has succeeded ! To the haimts of exce..r: he entices the boys ! Bewilders their brains ! while he dazzles their eyes, And cheats them with "blearest illusion ! " And when, fascinated, they lose self-control, He plies them with draughts from his Circean bowl, Till losing their senses and balance, they roll With the topers in drunken confiision \ He conjures with some on the score of their wealth — To others, when sickly, he promises health, And speedy complete restoration ! — In short, you'd suppose from his Placards and Bills, As much he can do for Humanity's ills As fifty full pimchcons of Holloway's pills, Which have suoJi «* wide circulation ! So cozens he men ! — as, with forehead of brass, A great master Moimtebank Quack he doth pass, With & holus for every condition !— - THE ISLAND MIN8TREL. 69 Hell tell you flat falsehoods, of paradox bold ! '• He'll cool you if heated, and ivarm you if cold, Add vigor to youth, and give strength to the old, From liis bottles of gross imposition ! " And worse than all this, it can clearly be shown, He'll not let respectable females alone, If but civilly once they receive him ! With confidence bold, upon this lie'U presume. To pass off his trash for refresliing perfume — Persuading them Brandy will heighten their bloom, And some have been dup'd to believe him. I know very well, though my argument's ^ound — I'm passing just now over slippery ground, And have need to be very particular — Indeed I conceive all my readers, with me, In the spirit of charity ought to agree. That the failings of ladies as secret should be As a kiss, or confession auricular ! And shall tliis great Emp ric his power employ, More lives than all other base quacks to destrov. While professing to cure all the nation ? Ye Temperance Men ! stea dy, zealous, and true, Wlien the mountebank's i)hysic is spread to your view. Don't bu\ three poor scr\iples, whatever you do, And he'll starve from ihe face of creation. '\h..h ' i ^ii'i I Mdiiirk i. 1 iw^^n i 1 1 ! HIS III H III' P^S '^ii\ '■ 1 1 1 H fl m w am hIE 1: B^Hfi ^^^lil^^Bittlln k WHUl^j j ^^^HH^hT " i HSjf'i^B! — ™" Mm.' Hii k: 70 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. CANTO IV. HE GETS INTO THE LEGISLATURE! Here's a subject for Hogarth I describe it who can I With its iffs and its outs, the ambition of Man I As it daily unfolds to inspection — Pervading each class, from the classes at school To the lover, the soldier, the wise man and fool, Appearing in all, by Shakesperian rule. But most at a General Election ! How f5erce the political conflict will rage As Candidates play off their " parts on the stage," Each striving in strife to be winner — What caricatures upon Wisdom are there ! Upon Wealth, when there's little or nothing to spare I To the lover of sport, 'tis a picture as rare As a salmon in season for dinner ! Tis serious, and yet 'tis uncoramonly droll. To reflect on what passes " the day of the poll/' What vapor and windy profession. As the Ot2Xov^ finish harangues by the job- To each friendly voter a smile and a bob — W^^^iiTig jewels of speech on the wondering mob- To be dumb as the Quakers, in session • THE ISLAi^D MINSTREL. 71 Kut hark ! no, but hush ! there's no need for surprise. Elections can never pass off without noise — But louder the tumult is growing ! A. fight in good earnest ! and fiercer it grows I " Arrah honey, be still," don't you see how it goes I Half the voters are puppets with strings to their toes, And the giant has set them agoing ! ii ¥m And fully as sly I — not so small as a mouse — Ex officio, he has a seat in the House, Where he sits — not '' alone in his glory," When Members all meet, both the small and the great. There sits he behind the big curtains of State, And puils, as he pleases, the strings of debate, To suit his own side of the stoi / ! i3ii!: I meant not— while light on this question I throw, To *' speak any evil " of dignities ! — no, However, some others may do it ; But +his I will say — and say it out plain — That " Rumuni" ought never to sit there again, A perfect disgrace ! that was kicked out of Main^ And none can have reason to rue it. 72 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. And suffered to sit in such company ! — shame ! Turn liim out, honest Members, and badger the game, With the whole generation of Caesars ! Let loose all the pack, 'twill be excellent lun, A fine recreation when business is done, And run him as hard as poor Andy* was run When he had to rejprmt " Ebenezers ! " Already the signs of his ruin appear ! Already his friends shew the symptoms of fear Concerning his bad Constitution ! Now, Temperance men ! every effort employ ! Of your splended " percussions " he's timid and shy— "Put your trust still in Heav'n — your powder keep dry," For a volley at his dissolution ! CANTO V. HE IS DOGGED INTO HIS DENS ' All creatures must have some abode or retreat, A shelter from cold, or a shade from the heat, If they wish to retain their vitality — # ■ * A local circumitance kaown to the Maitve d*Ecole, \m THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 73 This feeling instinctive all nature controls, The *' birds have their nests, and the foxes their holes," And the lion a den, where, when sated, he rolls In the lair of majestic brutality. The poor men of earth, in their cottages stay, The rich live in mansions more spacious and gay, For mankind are of different classes ; The Prince has a palace, expensive and rare, To the eye of the architect, nothing more fair ! And some waste their time " building castles of air » Who might safely he stabled ivith asses. " But where, and where " is the Kum Monster's home ? Doth he any where rest ? or unceasingly roam, In the quest of his pi3y or his pleasure ? A greater mistake couldn't enter the brain, He has hundreds and hundreds told over again Of holes ! in which yearly some thousands are slain For amusement, when he is at leisure ! But thirk not, ye simple, to these he's confin'd, Where the common -place debauchee drinks him- self blind, Quite regardless of soul and of body ! r' i i ! y? i I 3' :' 1: t &i:l W THE ISLAKD MINSTREL. Like the rich ones of earth, he has mansions more grand, Mostly raised at the cost of the poor of the land, For gentlemen topers, conveniently planned, When they wish to get tipsy on toddy ! Here, the lord of the Manor, he governs with skill, The whole tribe of landlords, liis tenants at will, Who are instant in every season, His terrible sway on the earth to uphold — In the midst of confusion and blasphemy bold, To do the base business for silver and gold. And against the consent of their reason ! As circling, the songs of debauchery go, Methinks, I can hear " lamentation and woe," Like the voice of a Kachel, when crying ; 'Tis the sorrowful wail of the heart-breaking wife, She seeks for her husband, the lord of her life ; He spends the last shilling 'n? id cmsing and strife. While her famishing children are dying ! But the lord of her life is unable to think. No sense has he left save a thirst for more drink, So extreme, he can hardly endure it — To vice so degrading, each faculty bends, For drink every tie of affection he rends, Li short, he will sacrifice children and friends. And body and soul ! to procure it. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 75 And now, gentle friends, the description you see, For numberless cases might stereotyped be, Can you have any reason to doubt it ? With philanthropy's eye, look round you again, Behold all the wretchedness, sorrow and pain, As daily evolved by this passion for gain — Yet we're told to say nothing about it ! CANTO VI. HE IS FORMALLY ACCUSED OF MURDER ! Of all the dark acts, misdemeanors, and crimes, That tlirow their black shade over seasons and times. And the deeds of extreme desperation By desperate men, there's none to compare With the deed o£ the wretch, who will ruthlessly dare To shed human blood, as he must be aware, That he never can make reparation. In Governments good, as a matter of course, There are, as there ought to be. Statutes in force, And which none ought to break with impimity : Hence Judges and Juries of diff'rent degrees, The Grand and the Petit. Attorneys and fees ! With Bailiffs and Constables, hvsy as bees, To secure and protect the community ! m I I' ffl .f ;• f\. 1 1:, 5 76 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. But guard as you may, and protect as you do, Still wretches will, sometimes, their fingers imbrue In the blood of their common humanity ! — Who the risk of detection don't value a straw, Who challenge the gallows, in spite of the law, In hope to get clear by some blunder or flaw, Or perhaps on the plea of insanity I For instance, most learned and eminent men, Of the legal profession, by slip of the pen, In a moment of mental excitement. Might write down baboon where it ought to be ape ! And suffer a villain, though guilty of rape, Or arson, or murder itself, to escape, By a flaw in the " Bill of Indictment/' And since, from experience past, it is plain Such event has occurr'd, and might happen again, In the case of another emergency — That Justice no longer depend on a flaw, Or precedent bad, techrncality, saw. Or other invention of " limbs of the law/' And, altho' it may seem a divergency. il ..V'i' i^ It now is thought good to follow a course Admitting no subterfuge, cunning resource. Nor the charms of most elegant diction THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 77 Forensic, which often makes black appear white, To the eyes of the Jury — the wrong for the right — Kesolved, the Indictment myself I'll indite, To secure to the world his conviction 1 And now " Giant-Kum,'' in that dock where you stand, In the name of the Queen, just raise your right hand, In the form of the law of this nation ! Because, it appears, you conspiring have been 'Gainst the peace of om' Sovereign Lady the Queen, Her crown and her dignity, as will be seen In the body of your accusation : That in " Fifty-three," this particular year, Instigated by Satan, and having no fear Of God to control you in action, You slew three liege subjects, whose names 111 not teU, Altho' it is clear by your bludgeon they fell, This you know, and the public remember them well. And the public demand satisfaction : And that you, your evil design to fulfil — Intending them grievous and bodily ill, 'Twixt the hours of ten and eleven, w THE ISLAND MINSTREL. P. M., that means late, them to drink did invite, With malice prepense, then covered by night, You completed your murderous purpose, in sight Of the stars, which were watching in heaven. So, guilty or not ? speak out like a man, Confess, if you will, deny if you can. But there can be no use of denial — Such wretch as you are, without clergy should die ; To defend you, however, some counsel may try — So plead you instanter — I wait your reply Before I proceed with the trial. The writer of these verses intended at the time to pnrsae the flabject farther; but other engagements pressing upon his attention, he had not an opportunity of carrying out his design. While fully endorsing the sentiment of the late Dr. McGregor, y\z. — ^Temperance is a good cause — he cannot but regret, that afler all the efforts of philanthropic Temperance men to stop the drinking usages of our Island men, the baleful custom of using ardent spirits is now as prevalent as ever. ** Sua cuique volupta*,** --rm-; y-T JL '^ r^T;:^ ^i^.^ THE ISLAND MINSTREL. THE OLD STABS ECLIPSED,* 79 At the Michaelmas Term there's but little to do, And the gentry in long robes look hungry and blue, For the bread of law business is oven'd so small. That there's hardly a cut in the loaf for them all. « But though briefs are then scarce, things were not so bad, While the lawyers could bag all that was to be had, For the Blackstones and Cokes ^ patient, watchful, and sly, Could anticipate next Term a larger supply. But alack and alas ! for the luminous hopes Of the L s, i.ie raw sons, the P s and P s. 'Mid the old constellation a wand'ring star. From the needle erratic, is Found at the bar. If the public can judge, by the public 'tis said That the old stars, eclipsed, are thrown into the shade. And look ratlier dark to be mov'd in their spheres By a star blazing out in the sign of the shears t * In the Supreme Coart Bome years ago, Mr. Henry Found, Tailor, ofCharlottetown, having a suit pending, asked and ob- tained leave to plead hifl own cause. The result was, that he obtained a Judgment in his favor, which gave occasion for the foregoing lines. ■If W'-n^ '< li Nt' ,:\.:xi-: ■^ -^ <* IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^ >i 1.0 I.I UilM |2.S |5o ■^™ HI^H IS 1.25 1 1.4 Photographic Sciences Corporation VV' 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO (716)S73-4S03 ^v- ^> 80 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. THE SWEET SONGSTRESS. Ofttiracs the bard has struck the lyre, In lays of pure poetic fire, To show the power of music's skill To nerve the heart and mould the will !- As David's hai-p, when set to tune, Keign'd over Kish's reigning son ; And, by its heavenly minstrelsy. Forced Satan from the king to flee. Thus Collins sings, — " In Greece's day, ** Each passion tried its skill to play," — And Dryden sings of festive hour, When Alexander own'd the power Of music's skiU, which e'en could rise An earth-born mortal to the skies I While echo's sweet retm-ning tone Inclin'd a list'ning angel down ! But music's spirit-stirring lays Were not confin'd to ancient days, — A modern Delta owns the skill And proves the power of music still. DELTA. His lineage sustain'd a place In Scotia's honorable race, Whose sounding pibroch on the hills THE ISLAND MINSTREL. The air with martial music fills. But on Prince Edward's level lawn, The big swoll'n pipes are seldom blown : Yet Delta's ear was richly fed By nature's music in the shade — Or standing on the Ocean's shore, He heard wild music in its roar — Or wand'ring o'er the sand-hills drear, The plover whistled in his ear — In fine, 'twas music everywhere. — At length he heard a maiden's voice Eeplete vf\\h finer melodies ! ELLEN. Her voice to harmony she strung. And sooth it was a pleasant song Which broke on Delta's ravish'd ears, Like heav'nly music from the spheres f Her face ! — the first on beautVs roll — Half spoke the music of her soul, So eloquent, so full of joy, So musical was Ellen's eye I Admiring crowds, her form to see. Gazing were wTapt in ecstacy; Yet car'd she not for great nor small, V^aconsciously she viewed them all ; And seem'd by spell delightful bound, 81 eg THE ISLWD MINSTREL. While thought in blissful dreams was drowned I Softly as sighs the zephyr's breath, Upon a mead that blossometh, — Gently as breaks, on summer eve, The tranquil undulating wave, — Sweetly, as when, on well plum'd wing, The feathered tribes ascending sing, — Or like the fabled Syren's song, Which, borne o'er Ocean's breast along, Breaks torth a sweet, enchanting strain, The sailor's solace on the main. So softly, gently, sweetly, stole The insph-ing strains on Delta's soul ; Which stirr'd his bosom's inmost core And thrill'd with joys unfelt before. And now was hush'd to silence all, A feather might be heard to fall ! Save that the notes seem'd backward flung, Responsive by an angel's tongue. — For sounds that mortals love to hear, Prolong their tones upon the ear,— As absent friends are plainly seen By us, though distance intervene. Distance nor silence interferes With fancy's eyes or fancy's ears ! — Again her powef , her life, seem'd thrown Into a wondrous winning tone ! THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 88 Again sweet numbers seem'd to say, Spirit and life must hie away, Must, with the ascending notes, arise Of that rich breathing to the skies ! Again the cadence smoothly fell, As if to break the enchanting spell ; And warn the many listening round, Their footing still was mortal ground, sacred music, heavenly power ! The joy of many a joyful hour ; How doth thy sweet, melodious air Inspirit bliss, and banish care ! Thy sacred voice can mortals move To high exploit or tender love ! The strain by which thou didst impart, Celestial joys to Delta's heart, Shall, in liis mem'ry, warble on. Till life's deciding sand be run I THE HIDDEN TBEASURE. When glorious Britain long ago Her conquering banner spread, Which o'er a dying hero's* brow, A deathless lustre shed ; ♦ General Wolf's. 6 J^ 94 THB ISLAKD MIN8TRKL. The Frenchmen left this Isle for France, So loyal to their crown : Intending to return, perchance If Britain's flag came down ! But Britain's flag, in war or peace, Floats highest on the breeze, And long may she sustain her place, As empress of the seas. But to my tale, — ^futurity Oft proves poor mortals blind ; The Frenchman took themselves away ; But left their wealth behind I Fearing some British cruiser bold, Or greedy privateer, Might ransack in the Frenchman's hold, And find their treasure there. So deep beneath some granite stone, Here scatter d up and down. Old " Farlez vous" unseen, alone,, Hid many a silver crown ! — Or where some weather-beaten tree. With antique boughs o'erspread. Has stood the second century. And cast its sombre shade, — THS ISLAND HINBTB«L. Or near some spring that always boils, A maxl^ forever sure 1 They hid the fruit of all their toils, But never saw it more 1 For Britain's flag, with honor bright. Still flutters on the breeze ; And still doth she maintain her right, As enopress of the seas. In unsunn'd heaps these treasures lay, While years on jears roll round, Near spring, or tree, or granite gray, But never can be found ! And endless are the stories told Of strange phenomena ! That from the silver and the gold> Scare mammon's sons away ! Some say, at times, on old grey stones, Strange apparitions dance ! Supposed the shades of men, whose bones Are mouldering in France ! The daring wight who aims to dig, A cold sensation feels ! — Each conscious hair seems bristling big, At something near his heels ! as 86 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Despite of all, a blue nos'd band, Mov'd by successive dreams, — Have hither come to dig our land, And search about its streams ! They fear no light that shines by night, No meagre dancing shade ! Their fathers never fled in fight. From liviiig Frenchman's blade I With min'ral rod, and purses broad, Of most enormous size ; — The first, to point the golden road, The last to hold the prize ! If they succeed by fortune's will. We Islander's may say. How do these Nova Scotians still Extract our cash away I But when supplied is all their need, If aught they have to spare — May they remit the poet's meed. He'll with the printer share. About the year 1841, a party of Nova Scotians arrived in this I Itland, for the purpose of digging for money, which, it was sup* posed the French settlers hud hid away previous to leaving the laland, when it became an appendage to the British Crown. They prosecuted their labors with much diligence during the summer of the above year, at St. Pettsr's, Malpeque, and other places; but, so far as 1 could learn, without finding as much as would pay their expenses home. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 87 THE GREAT BATTLE OF GEORGETOWN, FOUGHT A. D. 1855. Why leave, Muse ! Prince Edward's shore, And fly with weary wing To Crimean fields besmeared with gore, A martial song to sing ? There western valour meets the foe And, pressing on amain. Lays Russia's barb'rous legions lov/ In tens of thousands slain. i But ah ! my Muse, such scenes as these Thou never canst poiu1;ray ! The classic golden Chersonese Begirt with war's array ! In vain before thy eager eyes Is spread the crimson'd plan, Alma and Balaklava rise And bloody Inkerman ! To pluck a fair poetic bay From fields like these, would claim A note as loud as Linden's lay Which Campbell blew for fame. r m tHtf t&LAlTD IrnibTRSt. But even here, war's pranks are pla/d, , Vthy therefore should we roani ?" Well sing th' American blockade And danger nearer home ! Georgetown I a city, soon to be, Prince Edward's eastern pride, By natural sterility Is strongly fortified. Search all King's County round and round, No second spot you'll find. So well secured by swampy ground And barren lands behind. ft And from these swamps prevailing fogs Extend around their haze, Which covers regiments of frogs Defending " Logan's Braes ; " riank'd by the Jail upon the right, And left upon the green, fThe beejless Market-house, a sight Worth seeing, may be seen. 'The townsmen kept, to make a noise. One monstrous swivel gun. Which, from its most enormous edze; Was 'clept the Mastodon. THE ISLAND MIK8TBKL. 89 'They this discharged with awM roar At least three times a year, That foreigners off Georgetown shore Might feel a wholesome fear. But sure, the Muse, on such discharge Deep thundering on the ear, Has little reason to enlarge ; It shook that swampy sphere ; Dame Stiggins upwards roll'd her eye And cried " dear ! dear I " As all at once the corks would fly Her precious ginger-heer ! Defended thus, the Townsmen long Enjoyed security, They deem'd their place as Cronstadt strong Upon the Finland Sea. In peaceful arts their days were spent, No anxious hours they knew. While loud the Mastodon gave vent To what they rous'd could do ! All smoke ! all smoke ! as D — se would say, All sound and vanity, 'The Yankees claim our Northern Bay By reciprocity 1 -\ I 90 THE ISLAND MIN8TRKL. Base smugglers all ! ask Doctor C — ^y He says ** They hither come, Intent to take our fish away And leave us Yankee rum." From Souris round for many a mile, When calm outside, they wait, To trick our revenue in style As did the " Dragonet ! " A North East gale I they scTid in swarms To seek a smoother sea, And find a refuge from the storms Beneath the Georgetown lee. Thus lately in September's moon, When low'ring fell the sky. Their fleet stood in one afternoon ( The Equinox was nigh ; ) Then landing, with insulting air. They pointed to their fleet. And beat some navvies who were there Emplo/d upon the street. And now the sturdy Townsmen true On foil revenge were bent. And whizzing missiles thickly flew Such insult to resent. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 91 They fought with sticks, with helves, with stones, Through street, and swamp, and plain, And some, alas ! had broken bones, And one was nearly slain. The Yankees fought with right good-will Till nearly dark, when one Whose grandsire served at Bunkerhill Espied the Mastodon, Strange 1 passing strange ! in such affray The Townsmen it forgot. That Yankee to it bent his way And spiked it on the spot I Then spirits flagged and hearts grew sore I Where I where ! was Roderick then ? Why, why, was sheath'd his good claymore, Best blade of Highlandmen ? Why missing was that ex M. P., So seldom off his guard I And where that blackthorn cudgel tree Intrusted him by L— d ? " Non eat inventua / " so 'tis said — But still the battle raged, And deafening shouts and clamor rose From Yankees close enga^;ed. |: n THE ISLAND MIKSTRKl!.. Till their ringleader, lank and tall, Monstach'd from ear to ear, Beceived a blow from B — ^ke below, He fell like stricken deer I " shoot them now I " above the row A voice was heard aloud, His comrade true a pistol drew And fir'd among the crowd ; The full report was loud to hear. When hastening to the war Looming immense ! there did appeal* Sir Joseph Malabar ! One man was shot ! his thigh was broke I Sir Joe the sight did see. And eyeing him, in thunder spoke, " Here's Reciprocity ! 0, what is friendship but a name, A chaim that lulls to sleep, A shade that follows wealth and fame But leaves that wretch to weep ! " THE ISLAND MINSTREL. $8 LINES INSCRIBED TO REV. L. C. JENKINS, RECTOBy SUGGESTED BT A WALK IN THE CHURCHTABD NEAR CHARLOTTETOWN. As pensively I wander here And cast a glance around, How many names, to mem'ry dear. Familiar once — ^are found : How many epitaphs I see — Where dreamless sleepers lie. Which preach this truth impressively. That man was horn to die. Tread softly over those that sleep Beneath the fimeral yew ! Ye mourning friends, for friends who weep, This is the place for you ; But thoughtless ones, with footsteps rude, This scene so sacred, fly ! — Or learn, when hither ye intrude, That yov, were born to die. Here poverty with grandeur must Repose, when life is done, — Lie eofrth to earthy and dust to dusty As spoils which death has won : 94 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Ah I why should Pride, with foolish scorn, Boll round its haughty eye ? The proudest man I and beggar born ! Are born alike^ to die ! Howe'er distinct in life they were, They've no distinction here I Save polished stones which here and there More beautiful appear ; But Monuments, or rude or grand 1 As Time goes wasting by. Moulder beneath his crumbling hand. And, falling, prostrate lie ! Dark and uncertain were our fears Did we no further know — Our eyes might well with bitter tears Of sorrow overflow ; But in the sacred page we see Celestial visions bright Of " Hfe " and " immortality " Brought out in Gospel light ! All christians who, beneath this ground, Are in ** corruption sown'' At the last trumpet's awful soimd By God's Archangel blown — th THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 90 Shall rise, and ever more endure Above yon azure sky I Their bodies^ as ttieir spirits pure, No " second death" shall die ! EPITAPH FOR THE TOMBSTONE OF MY BELOVED WIFE ALICE, DECEx\8ED SEPT. 22d, 1854. " Invidious death how dost thou rend asunder Whom love has knit and sympathy made one ! " — Blair. Here Alice and her children three, Hid from a world of woes — From envy's glance and sorrow free, Best in their long repose. Eepose in peace, but not forgot — Affection fond will keep Its vigil at the sacred spot, And, oft returning, weep. Alas ! that human joys, which we So highly prize should fly ! # That earthly hopes should blasted be ! Whom best we love should die ! E'en so it fares with all on earth, With all to mortals given, — His " will be done" who knew their worth And took them home to heaven. 90 THS leyLAND MINSTREL. THE BAJl^ANCE OF POWER. '* The golden softies yet seen 9^ween Aati^sa and the Scorpion Sign." Those golden scales, in which are weigh'd Events both small and great, Are hung, it is supposed by some, Upon the arm of fate ? — That Fate, tho' blind, controls mankind, Each passing struggle sees I That empires rise and Hngdoms fall^ As destiny decrees- All empty, cold philosophy I That righteous balance grand Is held in equilibrium true By an Almighty hand ; The hand that wrote upon the wall The proud JBelshazzar's dcom. Who, flushed with drimken revdry, Did impiously presume To quaff his wine from cups divine — Tho' Israel's captives moan — And praise the gods of silvOT, brass, Of iron, wood aijd stone. TAX mU»J> MmSTHEL. 9r But man, tho' be is mortal I man, The creature of an hour 1 Dressed out in brief authonfy, With delegated power, Strives with his mightiest energies Himself to turn the scale, And, blind as Fate, throws in his weight. Nor deems that he shall fail. The soldier oft, of purpose bold. With pride of heart elate, Has seen himself, in Fancy's eyes, The minister of Fate ; So late th' adventurous Gorsican With pride himself surveyed, But Bonaparte was all too light. When in the balance weigh'd. Oh, there were spirit-stirring times — Some fifty years ago — When war's red footsteps were impressed In Hohenlinden's snow ; When Russia wept at Austerlitz, To see the wasteful drain Of heroes* blood, — a mighty flood Poured reeking on the plain ; When Great Nepoleon forward led The fiery'sons of Gaul : 98 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. To death, or glorious victory, As either might befal ; To gratify ambition high His eagles were mifurled His highest aim, thro' fields of fame, To subjugate the world. And who may tell what woes befel Before Nepoleon's fall ? How sorrow's shade more gloomy made " This dark terrestrial baU ? " The mother's fears, the widow's tears, The helpless orphan's doom. The thousands levelled in the dust To make one tyrant room ! Hark ! Borodino's cannon roar ! See Moscow's ruddy glare I What sinful slaughter, sacrifice And ruin mingle there. Europe 1 awake to action, prompt. Erect thy troubled brow, Should France prevail, shell turn the scale, The balance trembles now I Then mighty States together leagued, In confidential trust. To turn the vengeful van of war. The common cause was just : w ■■I THK ISLAND MINSTRKL. 9^ In vaiil was all Napoleon's skill Within that champion ring, The Eagle, erst that proudly soared, Now flew with wounded wing. The Russian bear, roused from his lair, Sprang fiercely to his feet ; And glared upon a ruin'd rout Fast flying in defeat. A barb'rous brood of Cossacks rude Pursued the trembling foe, Where France's braves found Russian graves, Their sepulchres the snow. Thro' doubtful years, alternately. That beam did wav'ring rise. As Leipsic won, for Jena lost, Might stand in counterpoise. Fierce warriors in that fearM strife " Hard pounding " blow for blow, Fought yet more fiercely to secure Napoleon's overthrow. — Till backward roU'd the tide of war, O'er plains of crimson gore. To sunny France, whose shiver'd lance Must vex the world no more. 7 lOQ THS ISLAND MINSTREL. They bind, with diplomatic skill, The vanquish d victor fast To Elba's Isle — ^the balance rests, And Peace returns at last. THE ESCAPE FROM ELBA. Celestial Peace ! Heav'n's messenger I Serene, expanding form. Brief binding with a rainbow span, The limits of the storm ! Thy lovely arch is scarce complete To Europe's trustful eyes. Ere war dispels the placid scene, The charming vision flies ! And short liv'd are the peaceful dreams Of diplomatic skill, To bind th' ambitious, daring Chief, Or bend his stubborn will. The Eagle for the eyrie pipes. By strong remembrance stirr'd, And Elba's Isle is far too small To cage the Eoyal bird. Napoleon stands in France again. The Frenchmen to allure ; And first but scattered are the cries Of Vive itEmpereur I THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 101 The soldiers whom he often led Are bound by honor's laws To guard the Bourbons, and defend Their feeble, tott ring cause. Their ire he dares, liis breast lie bares^ The anny shout for joy, And Vive VEmpeii'eur once more From tliousands rends the sky ! The old Cockade, to glory dear, On every brea«t has room. The lilies, trampled in the dust. Perhaps no more may bloom. To Paris now they bend their way, With acclamations high ; From Paris, for security. The frightened Bourbons fly I In vain a flame of civil war They strive to blow abroad, The star of empire culminates — And glory is the god I Again, unfurrd to Frenchmen's gaze, Are seen the Eagles dear, — A marshaird host, with deaf ning boast, The flatt'ring symbols cheer ! Iflft TBI ISLAND MIN8TRBL. Hero of Torres Vedras lines, That waVring fulcrum spy I Por Peace must surely kick the beam, And Liberty may die t Oh those were spirit-stirring times, When war's red banners flew At Charleroi, at Quatre-bras, And deadly Waterloo ! Some heroes of the old campaigns, Whom battle yet doth spare, Flushed with the sanguine hue of hope, Stand proud and ready there ; The veteran marshals, Soult and Ney, The bravest of the brave, Who often led the Empire troops To glory o'er the grave, Are there to aid their sovereign Chief— From pow'r so lately hurl'd — That only he thenceforth may be — Dictator to the world. Fond wish ! but vain ! it may not be. See I on th' opposing plain, The hero of a hundred -fights Prepared to fight again ! - High o'er his troops the banners dy. Which lately led the bold tHE ISLAND MINSTREL. m In yictor/s tan, when Wellington The power of France controU'd, When crestrfall'n Spain and Portngal, Both yielding to the stroke Of policy, inclined their necks, And tamely wore the yoke. Oh ! how unlike that Spain, which once Another empire gain'd, When Ferdinand, in dazzling state, With Isabella reign'd. Eventful time ! and test sublime ! But fierce and bloody day ! Two chiefs, of modem chivairy. Run battle's tilting fray. Napoleon! Wagram! Montmirailf What prestige in that name ! And Marshal Duke of Wellington, Scarce less renowned to fame I Remember how, in India, late He push'd his country's cause ; Remember Talavera, too. And bloody Bads^os 1 Illustrious twain I midst heaps of slain, Where gamers Death his store, Te pluck'd the badges which, that day, At Waterloo ye wore. X04 THE ISLAND MIN8TBKL. The French attack I when are they dack? The battle is begun : What havoc now from twelve at noon Till sets the evening sun t Who may again depict that scene Or how the muse indite Each daring deed, when heroes lead, And few but heroes fight ? The cannon peel, the columns reel, From thousands, prostrate there. Life's .current streams, while victory Suspended by a hair ! To fall on whom ? — ^to all, as yet, The Oracle was dumb ; " would to God I " says Wellington, " That Blucher now were come I " Napoleon, too, is quick to see The danger of the day, ^\ 146 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Ye epicures, who take delight In feasting, morning, noon, and night, What would you give for just the sight Of such provision, And choicest wines, all sparkling bright, T* enrich your vision ? E'en Charlottetown's chaste daughters fair, • Such feasting of the eyes to share, Seated around the gallVies were. That festive night ! — All who a dollar well could spare For — not a bite ! The dinner o'er, the crumbs were clear'd, When toasts and sentiments were heard : The Queen, of course, — name so endear'd To all the nation — Some speaker spoke, and loud was cheer'd With approbation. After the Queen — " here's Captain Sleigh, Om* honor'd guest from far away ; With right good will we hail this da> His bright appearing ! Long, long among us may he stay." (Tremendous cheering!) * If it were not for the rhyme, the writer ii of opinion " this night'* would be preferable. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 147 He gave response, in happy style, With easiest flow and bUmdest smile, Prais'd his broad acres in this Isle, Replete with beauties ; And preach'd a homily meanwhile On landlords' duties. The great " Legation" too did spout His bunkum freely, soft side out, A long oration, all about Old animosity — Kind feeling now, to end, no doubt, In Reciprocity. > 'Twere long to tell, for much was said Of forfeits, fish, and mutual trade The " Albatross," each trip she made. Might bring some notion. And steam off stock, for money paid, Across the Ocean. 'Tis said the Turkeys, hearing this, Gobbled ; and gabbling geese did hiss ; Each sheep, with trembling in its fleece. Bleated amain, V^ile loud the kine, their young to miss, Bellow'd again. 10 Mir 148 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. As hues of pure prismatic dye Fade fast before the admiring eye ; As northern lights pass thro' the sky, Or scud, or smoke, This bubble big just flitted by. And then it broke ! And left our Island Captain Sleigh, Lieutenant Colonel yesterday : — The *' Albatross " would never pay, And no great wonder. Sans eggs or geese, she steam'd away With noise like thunder ! A FRAGMENT. Observation, Causality, Wit, Benevo^.ence, &c.. Combativeness, Deatructiveoess, Fhilo progenitivenesSy AmativeDess, &c. These are the principal bumps of the brain ! Which, if well understood, there is nothing more plain ! For the facts they convey, amount to a rule, By which to distinguish the sage from the fool ! THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 149 Some jut out before and others behind ; Some govern the body, more govern the mind ; By them, if mistrustful . the lover may know Where the tide of his passion in safety may flow ! Should the mother, while dandling her babe on her knee, An overgrown hump of destructiveness see, By applying her finger, and pressing it down While yet it is tender, it, up to the crown ! Perhaps to the seat of he^icvolence flies. And straightway, by junction, increases its size I All explained by the scribe of flourishing flash, V, ho play'd on ouv Islanders rigs of Pugwash : Who taught in twelve lessons our fingers to fly, While our brains were transparencies under his eye! That guird the dupes, who, for nothing but trash. Both wasted their time and squander'd their cash ; Who, thro' mud and tluo' mire, trudg'd over the ground, And attended the school that Jack found ! ffH'li THE YANKEE FEED!— 1853. Across the stormy Ocean's wave. In England's happy Isle — Land of the wealthy and the brave — Lives old John Bull in style : if It 150 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. A steady, sturdy gentleman, Who, when the humor flows, Sings '* Kule Britannia" o'er again — The only song he knows. But, while he stays at home to feast In majesty — at ease — He rules one-half the world at least, By ruling all the seas. Where'er you look, from pole to pole, In climates foul or fair. Where sunbeams shine, or Oceans roll. You'll find his bunting there. Long may it fly to meet our view, Unsullied as of yore. And o'er our lovely Island, too, Stream proudly as before. For Uncle Sam, this current year, In genuine Yankee style. Has broken number X. , 'tis clear, By coveting this Isle. Last Summer, when the leaves were green, (October turns them brown,) • Two Yankee Steamships might be seen Approaching Charlotletown. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 151 The question rose — what can it he Has brought them to our shore ? Some far-fetch'd, deep diplomacy This earl of Stirling bore ! Now, Mr. Bull, you must be told, Sent out, the other year, Two steamships, mann d with Britons bold, To do his business here — To hoist his colors to the breeze, To watch his fishing grounds, And keep his slippery enemies Within their proper bounds. In short, if Uncle Sam forgot , The treaty, and should dare To take our fish, with shell and shot To blow liim into air. But, " stars and stripes ! " he comes this way ; A friendly fuss is made, And the dinner tune of Captain Sleigh, To soapy Sam, is play'd. Our Town was full of men of note : The, gallant General Gore Had landed ; and the Prinveton boat Brought Shubrick Commodore — ! mm^ ' t I'M ■ ■ -is iliiiii \i i iMii 152 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Follow'd by Yankees lank and tall — And so of high degree — Captains and reefers, mids and all, Prime for a glorious spree I . All great events revolving by, Unto the muse belong, She marks them well, with curious eye, And weaves them into song ; But sometimes harsh nmst be her rhjrme, With discords running through, *' God save the Queen ! " is hard to chime With " Yankee doodle do." Nor easily is set to tune A Legislative Hall, Converted into a Saloon, And rnnsaclvM bv a ball ! — virtuous Birch ! how rose thine ire As once it rose before. When Sleigh most set the place on fire With declamation's roar ! Within that Hall, a banquet rare Was then displayed to view ; Great men, of different lands, were there^ And bright-eyed ladies, too — THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 163 And, true or false, by some 'tis said Champagne went sparkling free ; To viands rich was duty paid, With rare gastronomy. The evening pass'd, with toast^and glee, And sentiment, along ; Bacchus, enthroned 'mid revehy, Breath'd spirits into song So much, the temperance band took fright, And literally dishand-ed ; For such a noise was made that night That Pippy could not stand-it. 'Tis just to say, the sober men, And all the bright array Of beauty, did retire at ten. And homeward bend their way ; But many more cried out " encore ! " Who, who from this would stray ? R:ave tars ashore, all " half seas o'er ! " Well keep it up till day ! Such was the cry ! but by and by — Tho' Sam was feasted ^ree — The fact was seen, 'twas very green To give the Coon a spree. 154 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. t Afloat again, he takes his pen Another coon to tell ! What dainty cheer he met with here, Where Island laggards dwell. Well, there are rules to tutor fools : The '' dejeuner" is one ; To take the fish from off our dish May seem good Yankee fun ; But dont presume, Sam ! — stay at home, For, though with brisk champagne The laggards dull once filM you full. They wont be f ooFd again. Yes stay at home ! or, if you roam, Dont tread on people's toes. Your actions mean are foul, unclean, — As Colonel Peter knows — Else Mr. Bull, whose sovereign rule You wish so much to share. Will bang you well with shot and sheU, And blow you into air ! THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 155 THE HERO OFKARg. " Hail to the Chief who in triumjyh advances ! " — ScOTT. Hail to the hero immortal in story ! Honor'd of Britain and favor'd of Mars, On to Prince Edward he comes in his glory, Hail to the gallant defender of Kars ! Fame thro' the nation Bespeaks him ovation — Loudly his merits and movements declares. To do him honor, then. Shout, all my countrymen, Hail to the gallant defender of Kars I !'!•;[ m :i;ilfli| :. . 1 :l5i m Wi Here's no impostor of artful intention. Striving our homage undue to provoke. Blowing large bubbles of empty pretension, Bursting in air but to vanish like smoke ; History names liim, England proclaims him Worthy of honor — return'd from the wars — To do him homage, then, - Shout, all ye Islandmen, Hail to the gallant defender of Kars ! ;i 166 THE ISLAND MINSTRFX. First of the brave, he, by heroes surrounded, Strong as a Hon — undauntedly bold, Held a position where perils abounded — Menaced by famine and threatened by cold. Frankly his enemy Honor d his bravery : Writing despatches to him of the Czars, What says the Russian Chief, General Mouravieff ? " Brave is the gallant defender of Kars I "* Eouse thee, my muse I and with praises reward him, Loudly in pgeans his welcome prepare ; Honor Prince Edward, be thine to accord him, Worthy the badges of Honor to wear ; Long may the olive bough Wave o're the hero's brow, Peace be his portion — ^i-eturn'd from the wars, — And, all my countrymen, Shout, 'till it rings again,— Health and long life to the hero of Kars I THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 157 WHISKY VERSUS BEEK: A PARODY. The votes for Beer were gathering fast, Loud roar'd the wild Election's blast ; The eager voters thronged amain, — I saw them scom-ing o'er the plain ; The partizans were fiU'd with fear As struggled Whisky verms Beer, While thro' the air, with deaf'ning clang, " Carthago est delenda ! " rang. Now Snatchers mourn their hopes forlorn, By rude election's ravage torn — Across the placid, azure sky, They see the long Beer's bunting fly ; Chill runs the blood to hear them rave. Like sailors shipwreck'd on the wave, ■ Who, o'er the billows, see the shore. But never hope to reach it more. 'Tis not that Beer, with ready skill, A sheep, a cow, an ox can kill ! That makes the Snatchers feel so sore. For Coles had slaughter'a calves before : 158 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. But tell the truth, and 'twill be found The Poll Books did inflict the wound That bleeds, when they declare " as how*' " Carthago eat delenda" now. Farewell, election's bribes and fibs I Farewell, electioneering squibs, And ribald rhyme, that freely deals In type, calves' head and bullocks' heels I Farewell, my friends I farewell, my foes ! Keep cool, howe'er the matter goes ! And, man of Boss, farewell to you ! " Carthago est delenda" too. SELOC'S WABNING :— a parody. WIZARD. Seloc, Seloc ! beware of the day, When the voters shall meet thee in polling array, For the Candidates' hustings appear to my eye, And the hopes of the Snatchers forever must die. They rally, they push, in a wild tempest tost, To recover the places they grieve to have lost : McLeodj in his tartan, rides over the plain, And Beer is there fresh for the contest again. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 15» But hark I thro' the columns assembled to vote, What sound greets the ear of most ominous note ? 'Tis the spirit of whisky, extracted from grain, In the hot-bed of strife, lending fire to the brain ; But, thanks to the Temperance men of the age. That spirit so deadly is curb'd in his rage ; No more can he boast an unlimited sway, A tyrant despotic, whom fools must obey. For the Skyeman's* bold legions shall chase him afar. With all his attendants, keg, bottle and jar, And banish this turbulent spirit so bold Where Petticoat-Louisf was banished of old. SELOC. Go preach to the Tories, thou dark-sighted seer I I tell thee his legions no more shall apj)ear. Nor the Skyeman himself; it is more than he dare. Since I threatened to horsewhip him well on the Square. WIZARD. Ha! laugh'st thou, proud Seloc, my vision to scorn ? I tell thee once more that thy case is forlorn. * John Arbnckle, Esquire, who was then on a Temperance Campaign m the country, and who had the credit of killing two birds with one stone. t ** For many & beast to dead she shot.** — BuRif s. 160 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Say, where are the phimpers recorded of yore, That roU'd back the tide of the battle before ? And the tartaned and bonneted clansmen so proud That rise to the franchise at beck of McLeod f From the New London Capes, see 1 they gather in swarms, Like^ bees when the siiushine the Colony warms ! Lo 1 the franchise extended, so wide in its scope. So vaunted and boasted of, offers no hope 1 For the ranks of thy rivals. Oh, mercy ! I see Are sweird by its working as six are to tliree. Why hold they those meetings ? why eagerly roam Those rude Politicians so far from their home ? What mean those dark shadows, portentous, that flow Past the film of my vision ? Ah ! surely I know : They 're the staunch, sturdy freemen, in clusters who crowd, To poll at the hustings for Beer and McLeod ! SELOC. False Wizard, avaunt ! I have counted the cost Of a general Election for that which I lost ; I have spoken the word, and the country shall be Bamboozled by old Barny Boozle and me. We have taken our stand, and, to render all sure, We have worked all the winter our plans to mature ; THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 161 Then a fig lor the cost, coiiBtitution, or laws, For the Sky email himself, or the ''longbow" he (IrawH ; While the legions of il/oontv/, my boast and my pride, And the Rustico Frenchmen, are both on my side. Besides that dread phalanx, whose names, by the bye, In satin, and maple, and lavender lie. Then welcome be Beer and McLeod to the shock, Let them dash to the hustings like foam to the rock ; But woe to the tories, and woe to tlieir cause, When Seloc his horsewhip indignantly draws, All plaited and knotted to open his way — WIZARD. Seloc, Seloc ! beware of that day I For, dark and despairing, my sight I may seal, But Binns cannot hide what elections reveal. 'Tis the sunset of Snatcherdom fills me with lore, And Dominick's shadow comes Daly before : 1 tell thee Campbelton echoes shall ring With the voices of those who exultingly sing. And spread the wild slogan s tumultuous roar Around the whole borders, thy District no more. «M,*' ^"^ 162 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 'Tis finished ; the Poll Books are clos'd on my sight, Till Bourke, high in office, shall bring them to light ; 0, who can divine what events may befal Ere that day ? or who tlien may a scrutiny call ? But where shall be Selock ? the dray body — where ? The big car that once made the big boobies stare ? The bugles, the bogles, the rattling of drums And the Flag of the Conquering Hero that comes? All lost to ray vision — e'en he is not seen Of the verdegris bunting, invisible green, "Who mounted of yore the one-ninth of a man — Wav'd the cabbage-leaf flag in the conqueror's van ; Even Rag- tag and bob-tail, I see them not there, To grace a proud victor, and cover his rear, Breathing fumes of raw whisky to poison the gale- SELOC. I M: m^ Down, soothless insulter ! I trust not thy tale ; For nev jr shall oelcc such destiny meet. Or be i\n\j *vn off his legs wliile he stands on his tieet ; Tho' my voters, when summ'd by the dozen and score, Be again, a^ they have beer outnumber d before, THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 1Q3 He never shall cease to look out for the day Of the iron-rod rule, wliich the Snatchers shall sway; But unchang'd until then, and for ever the same, Shall scowl wratlifully round from the hot-bed of blame. * LAY OF THE IMPRISONED MERCHANT. My gallant brig, old Neptune's pride. Floats the j)roud " Monarch" of the tide ; The zephyr's gentle breath is seen Upon the river, fringed with green, Wiiile here, immur'd, I sit and sigh. And languish after liberty. I hate this narrow prudish rule, This relic of monastic school. Which drives all mirth and harmless play In anger from these v.alls away ; Wliicli pleasure's every wish controls, And damp-; the joy of kindred souls. I wish these limbs again were free, And strong, as they were wont to be ; As when their force iissaird the door. When B d lay dormant on the iloor» It "''WiPiP'^wpr- 164 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Who, trembling such assault to hear, His frame almost distiU'd with fear. But courage ! why ^^hould I repine ? A dire revenge may yet be mine ; Yet may my bright, unsheathed sword Be furbished round ''New Bideford," And, ere its fatal course be stay'd, The Princess Fan may lose her head. Vi AN INDIAN LAMENT. Away have ninety summers rolFd, And ninety winters rude, Since fair Prince Edward — call'd of old St. John — a forest st(^od ; A forest gi-jind, were it but seen When charmirjg Spring would smile; Not Erin show'd a brighter green, Though call'd the emerald Isle. Then lord of all that he siu*vey\l. From morning until e en, The Indian follow'd Ishmael's trade, With bow and arrows keen. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 165 Through weary ways he tracked the moose, For Indian ban(|iiet rare ; Or, in their season, shot the goose, Or trapp'd the shaggy bejir. The Micmac race was luinierous then, And roamed through all the land ; They scarcely knew the pale-f'ac'd men — Had never heard of Rand; For all their wants the forest gave A ready full supply ; But their Caci({ue — a warrior brave — Was everv Indian's jov. The feather wiiicli his cap did show — The badge of chieftain true — Far as the Indian's ^'vAxi couhl llo Each Micmac wairior knew ; Seven ' Ouquis" tails did, waving free, Around his shoulders play ; Two patch, two cross, the otlier three Were black, or silver gray. When all tiie ti-ibe, upon the sand, Would mimic war's affray, With lithest leg and strongest hand, He led the savage play: 1' j*' m 166 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. And swifter yet, that Chief so brave, Than streaked lightning flew. When Louis Mitchell o'er the wave Did paddle his canoe ! Years rolVd away — the white man came, Look'd greedily around, And, to his everlasting shame, Spoil'd all the hunter s ground ; He feird the woods, to make his home, With many a ruthless blow, And where the hungry fox might roam. Spread strychnine on the snow ; Till not a reynard could be seen To cross the Indians' way, Or red, or glossy, raven sheen. Or black, or silver grey ; And when the spring— that season bright- Brought other game to view, The white man's boat was painted white, And he was hunter too ! In places where the Indian knew The " Saagiia ofin " was found,- The greedy white man's ^^iaters" grew, And rotted in the ground ; THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 167 Pit emblem, surely, to describe The Micmac's waning lot : Hence, Werand Mitchel mourns his tribe — Doom'd soon to be forgot. Now few are left of all the race ; That Indian brave is dead : The remnant scarce can find a place Their birchen rinds to spread ; Grief tum'd the last young Mitchell's heart As heavy as a stone, And Werand, from his tribe apart, Koams through the Ghhe alone. ON THE DEATH OF HON. PETER STEWART MAC- NUTT, OF DARNLEY, DECEASED FEB. 4tH, 1846. When native worth from earth departs, To find a home in brighter skies ; When gushing sorrow rends our hearts, And opens fountains in our eyes — Say, shall the sympathizing Muse A cold, ungenerous silence keep ? Or, in her thoughtlessness, refuse To weep with stricken friends who weep ? ) 1 1 168 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. No ! suffering under death's fell scourge, Griefs saddest accents shall she form ; And lift her melancholy dirge Above the howlin^" wintrv^ storm ! Hers shall be no dissembling show Of sorrow, passionless, unreal ! — The idle mockery of woe, A^Hiich it were better to conceal ; But genuine tears of deep distress, Which from the eyes can only flow, When sorrow's most ])rofound recess Is measur d by the hand of woe : Such drops — in mem'ry of the dead — Of him who claim'd my best regard. From griefs deep fountain shall be shed- A tribute from the humble bard. While on this earth, he lov'd to spend His life, with charity in view ; To every jmblic cause, a friend, To every private virtue, true. His was — to selfishness unknown — A heart benevolent and kind, A generous ivill in actions shewn. The mirror of a noble mind. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 169 And has lie (lone so Hoon with time, And friends, tind all things here below P When vigVous manhood in its prime. Might little fear the mortal blow. Grim tyrant, Death ! could nought assuage Thine envious wrath ? — thy pow^r allay ? Hadst thou no victim for thy rage, But woman's hope and childhood's stay? Alas ! could neither art nor skill Exert its friemlly power to save ? — Avert the stroke of threat ning ill, And cheat the cold, dark, silent grave ? Ah, no ! — but his remember d worth Shall many a. pensive thought consume ; Shall find ?! grave in warmer earth, And rest in memory's lining tomb. ON TiiE DEATH OF MY GOOD FEIEND, JOHN BOVYER. The righteous shall bt had in fvarla^timj remembrance. Death, like a tyrant strong, Has aim'd a fatal blow, And laid, with the promiscuous throng, The christian warrior low. ^*if'f-y iro THE ISLAND MINSTREL. But, falling at his post, No sorrowing song we sing — The grave has little cause to hoast When death has lost its sting. The sting of death is sin, The strength of sin the law ; But sovereign grace, supreme within. Has power that sting to draw ; And Bovyer^s simple worth This grace reflected well. He magnified its power on earth, It conquered when he fell. For everlasting gain, (Still watching unto prayer) The perils of a long campaign He manfully did share ; Earth's wealth and glittering show Accounted but as dross, And, rich in poverty below, Could glory in the cross. That blood-stain'd banner bright, Once to his gaze unfurl'd, He foUow'd fearlessly, in spite Of Hatan and the world : THE ISLAND MINBTREL. 171 Still kept the prize in view, And onward nobly pressed The glorious march, for well he knew This earth was not his rest. The fulness of that love. The freeness of the grace. Which brought Immanuel from above To save a fallen race ; These were his themes of song From youth to hoary age. And well they cheer'd him all along Life's weary pilgrimage. We sing no sorrowing song : His pilgrimage is o'er — His place on earth, which knew him long, Must know him now no more ; In heaven, a better place, A mansion he enjoys ; And wears a crown of righteousness — The faithful christian's prize. .. i !;■, ';': 172 THE ISLAND MINHTRKL. ACROSTIC ON THE DEATH OF A YOUTHFUL FUIEND, HICHARD BAXTER HODGSON, ON VISITING THE PLACE OF HIS INTERMENT. Reposing here thy body lies, In vestments of the dead ; Caird early to thy kindred skies, Home to thy living Head, Ah ! short thy sojourn here below ! Remov'd — as when a flower Hoth early blossom, bud and blow, But wither in an hour ! And caird, perhaps, from friends so dear, 'Xample to supply To all the young tliat knew thee here, — Each youth may surely die. Rest here in peace — thy faith alone Held — by the Gos[)el plan — On Christ, " the precious corner stone," Dear hope of dying man. Grant, gracious God, I so may die, 80 yield m^ fleeting breath ; On Faith's strong pinions upward fly, New conqueror over death. THK ISLAND MINSTKEL. 173 DONALD LIVINGSTON. IN MEMOKIAM. CoiLipaiiioii of my curly chiys, With whom, in lieart allied, I walk'd, in iVicndshij/s happy wayK, Eonnd MalpcMpie's circuit wide — And still, through many a lovely scene, AVith thcc will Fancy Htray, Where Darnley's fields and groves of green Iicmemher'd charms display. Hwcet rural charms ! — the kirk, the bridge, The smithy and the mill — Tlic sylvan groves — the sandy ridge — The Tush-brimm'd pond — the rill — The pebbled beach — the Ocean's wall — To playful fancy shew. As fresh, as when we view'd them all Some twenty years ago. How often, starting with a bound — Our feet almost as free As '' sportive deer's" — we " coursed " around Romantic Allanby, — IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^^ 1.0 I.I ^1^ l^ ^ Ih 12.2 lio 111112.0 1.8 1.25 |||.4 1= — ^ 6" — ► V] W /a '^ ^> ^".^ '/ /A HwtDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET ^ WEBSTER, NY. MSSO (716) 872-4503 |\ 4 •^ :\ \ ■^ /I^> %^>^" ^A' v^ 174 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. To fan our cheeks with air supplied JFresh from the blue sea-wave ; Or plunge into the dashing tide, Our youthful limbs to lave. i • Aye ! often when the school was o'er- Together we would roam Along New London's cliffy shore, The sea gulls' windy home : There — listen to the music loud, Of Ocean's organ grand : As peal'd the crested billows proud Their bass upon the strand ! And we have watch'd when Evening fair Spread out her varying dyes, The gorgeous colours ! " rich and rare," To deck the Western skies I Intent, each mellowing tint to mark Of Sol's retiring beams : Till night let fall her cuiliain dark,. fr And " gave the world to dreams. And we have dream'd ^vith open eyes. For, late returning home — We still conversed of present joys, And happiness to come ! THB ISLAND MIN8TR1L. 178 Then lost in nature's solace sweet, Slept weariness away ; And rose with morning fresh to greet The glorious king of day/ Ah 1 little thought we then of time t As suns, returning, shone-^ That ardent youth and manhood's prime Would hoth he quickly gone I Bememhrance weeps — alas 1 in vain Are Sorrow's emhlems shed ! They can't recal our youth again, They can't restore the dead. No more, in honds of iriendship true, lake brothers, hand in hand, Together shall we rove, to view The sea, the sky, the land I-^ For he who shared my youthful joys, Cut off in manhood's bloom. In yonder churchyard sleeping Hes, Within his narrow tomb t Alas t the thought my bosom rends, And Sorrow's tears must flow ; — Death strikes our nearest^ dearest friends When least we fear the blow ;— ■■■I i^iji' ■ r Wfe tHE ISLAiffD MINSTREL. But faithful Memory long retains Each fondly cherish'd name, And Livingston's, while life remains, The pensive tear shall claim. m * ' ' ■ The subject of the foregoing verHca was a native of Prince Edward Island, and an in*iiiiate iriend of the author, who loved him for his anpretending worth ond the many excellences of bis moral character. We formed an Hcqnaintuncein 1842 that soon ripened into a fiiendship, which was uninterrupted until the time of hit death, which took ptnce at his father*s boose in 1867. Hoping to better his condition as a Teacher, he left the Island in the JHnuarv of 1847, and obtained employment in various parts of New Brunswick, i corresponded with him regu- larly during his absence,nnd few could t^xcel him in the beauties of an epistolary correspondenco. lie was naturally too senKitive, and of a bashful, retiring didpofiiiun, hut his letters were always expressed in a style at once ener*;* tic and manly , and calculated, better than a slight personal acquaintance, to give n correct idea of Ms man. It was with muuli concern thai 1 learned from his letters his health was declining, but I fondly hoped with himself that his strength wou'd be rextored on returning to breathe the elastic air of his native iHliiitd. These at'piriiiions, however, were not realized in his recoveiy. He returned to the Inland in the Autumn of 1857, after an abs'ence often years ; but became rapidly worse, and died, as before noticed, on the Cth December, 1867. Having been f)r many ycais a companion of the ** bro- theis of the mystic tie," he was interred with masonic honors io the churchyard near Chailottetown, much and deaervedlj regretted by a large circle of acquaintance. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. "THE DOG-STAR RULING/' 177 " And in that town a dog was found, As ma til/ doga there he. Both mongrel, puppy ^ whelp, and hound, And curm ofloio degree.^' — GOLDSMITII. And art thou caught at last, nocturnal ranger ? So long supposed some incarnated enl, On mischief bent, like ** The Mysterious Stranger," And in appearance very like the D 1 : At least by some 'tis said so ; as to why, On what authority, I cannot say. I never saw his Sable Majesty, And humbly hope in heaven I never may ; But this I may affirm, — upon that gibbet Thou art an ugly sample to exhibit. The world is alwjiys full of vague opinions Concerning strangers ; and some men aver, That, pupp'd within the mighty Czar's Dominions, Thou wert a veritable Cossack cur, — A perfect beauty in thy puppyhood. That followed fortime with a Russian tar, Who left his country for his country's good, Some years before took place the Crimean war. Upon thy roving chances little pondering; — like some two legged beauties, fond of wandering, A \\\ M\ m ■f 1 i^i^ i^ii. id- - I; W\ 178 THB ISLAND MINSTREL. <^ Dark shaggy beast, what strange canine delusion, What chance unlucky, or what dark disaster Led thee to choose the hermit lot seclusion. And live for fourteen years without a master Beneath that dirty stable ? — So I understand Old Mike McCarthy, who on thy condition Descanted largely, as, with open hand, He took the halfpence at thy exhibition, Unfolding all he knew of thy dark history. Much shrouded in impenetrable mystery. Most dogs, we know, e'en those that talk in fables. Are very social in their daily habits ; Not given to burrow under dirty stables, Unless sent after weasels, rats, or rabbits. By their superiors. TJien in haste to scud off, Soon as the burrowing operation 's over. And rub the dust, or dung, or filthy mud off, Upon some plot of timothy or clover, As if to say, returning, " Aint I clever.^ — A pretty decent sort of dog whatever." But thou, degraded beast, thy life uncheery Was spent without dog decency of feeling ; Thy days, within thy dungeon dark and dreary — Thy nights, in roving thro' the city, stealing. THB ISLAND MINSTREL. 179 In this respect, perhaps, I should not rate thee, Since thieving was not thy exclmive function ; For some two-legged gentry imitate thee, And rob the city shops without compunction, Escaping safely with their ill- got booty, In spite of the Policemen on their duty ! Perhaps the Russian legend may be true, — < The Russ are filthy in their generation : Why should not Russian dogs be dirty too ? Will some one answer that interrogation ? — To say that thou wort filthy, is no slander : The clotied locks, thy very eyes begrimming, 'Tis certain thou wert not a Newfoundlander, Fond of the water and much given to swimming, But wert indeed, of whatsoever nation, A specimen of deep dog-degradatior. And yet, tho* most degraded of poor creatures That bear the name of dog within our city. Thou might^t have once had some redeeming fea- tures, — A social bosom, not unknown to pity. Til), soured at last, by all the wc i Id neglected, Or persecuted, wliish is worse, believe me ; Thou wert but "huft'd and cuff 'd, and disrespected,'^ Without one single comfort to relieve thee, 12 B" ip m TW I8UAIIO MX^^nXf^* And, driven by famine^ wenl^st to play the dldaw Among the Cochin-Ghina hens and chickeng* Tea, yes, poor brute, we may assert securely Thy solitary lot, so unbefriended. Was less thy fault than thy misfortune, surdj, And wakens pity now thy days are ended. Let those, straightway, avoiding all pretenoes, WhoVe made some coppers by thy sad conditMsi, Give thee a decent grave, and pay expenses Out of the profits of thy exhibition, With this inscription near the hillock gra8i|y : " Here lies the dog, — requxeacai in paceJ* A POLITICAL PORTRAIT. NO. I. In the halls of l^slation^ Built within this city, Nature's boy of bothercUion Makes his speeches witty ; From the Ulster-noith he came, Bare as bleak December, Won the electioneering game,/ And became a member ! rtm ISLAND MIN0tBfl^ m In this country, like a charm, Really 'tis surprising How the North of Ireland barm Sets the leaven rising — Rising I now he takes his stand With the " Daly " quorum ; Puffd into " his honor" grand, Dignitariorum / Faith he bates all other men, Uncle, aunt, or cousin. Raising teachers at the Glen By the half a dozen ; Powei's of chick-weed I dear deto t Monk would be a fool. Sir, To leave Glasgow and come here For the Normal School, Sir. WkOt mightily pleae'd wibh the clasm^al name, Had it plac'd in the hand of the goddess of Fame. For the goddess of Fame all ye trumpeters blow ! And crow, every dicky bird, lustily crow !— For the goddess of fame how the multitude roar, For they niver a goddess had look'd at before ! What a beautiful goddess I and illigant horn ! Arrah ! where did she come from ? and where was she born ? For in all the wide world sure the likes was'nt seca Since the day that Prince Albert join'd hands with the Queen. Some bold speculators supposed she slipped down On the arch of a rainbow, outside of the towa, To attend the procession, and when it was o*er. She'd go back to the place that she came from before. While the less superstitious suppos'd her to be A fine quality lad,y ! of highest degree — But never before since the day they were born Were they puzzled so much as to look at that horn ! But enough of their blunders — suffice it to say She engross'd all attention, which wasn't fair play. For, as fine as she was, there were other fine suits, And the " Herald" himself sported Murphy's big boots! Now, it happened, a waggish conservative blade Dared to doubt if the figure were godded or nuiid^ 5*. li 190 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. And approaching her closer with a smile and a wink, Saw the plump little beauty — ^and, what do yon think ? He declares — the powers of the Mountebank trade! She of Trenaman's "/?Ze de ckamhre " was made I FIRST EPISTLE TO BIG ARCHY. Archy of the hope forlorn, Wishing to befriend you, — More in sorrow than in in scorn — These few lines I send you. I to write cannot but choose ; E'en should you repent it : You have dared insult the Muse, And she must resent it. Now, you know, my quondam friend, Pushing, shuffling, veering, — The beginning and the end Of Electioneering — Much you wish'd the goal to win ; Every way you twisted ; Writh'd and wriggled to get in ; But you — ^yes, you miss'd it I THE ISLAND MIN3TBEL. 191 In the ** People*8 Jowrnal " tell — Now the voting's over — Have the Snatchers plac'd yoursel' With their bees in clover ? Or, ungrateful, left you where The Election found you — In the younger brother's chair, Printer's devils round you ? Archy ! give the de'il his due, None in all the County Could have stronger claims than you On the Premier's bounty. You had run his donkey race, Started at his whistle. Spouted Ersz from place to place, And he gives you — ^thistle I What beneath the blessed sun, — Archy, tell your neighbors — What had old "Cock Robin" done Equal to your labours ; He is not a naiivt born ; Rear'd within our border. But while you are met with scorn, He is made Recorder \ lilH Its noB muAMs mmnixik jUi}! he writes a better baud — Is not that the sequel ? No such iMnff ! — for understand, Here your claims are equal ; But, remark it well, my man, Let your pen record it, Natives here are under ban, Foreigners rewarded ! Answer, Arehy, am I right ? You, in storming " Delhi,"* Show'd a more determined fight — Bolder far than Kelly. Afler all, my friend, you see. Now the battle's over. You are " sent to Coventry," He ii^ put in clover. He, tiie paradox to crown — This is not a fabler- Strove to write the Snatchers down Hard as he was able ; * A fisnrativo exprcMiion of Stephen' Swabey, Eiq., applied to tho CharlottetowD £l«ciioD. THE ISLAND MIN8TBBL. Tou had never tum'd your coat— Done whate'er they told you, Stretch'd your lungs and strain'd your throat And behold ! they've sold you. Will you, spaniel-like, yet fawn On the hands which beat you ? Mind the game is only drawn, Snatchers only cheat you ! Poor indeed has been your pay, Nothing can be plainer ; If you turn the honest way, You must be a gainer. The publioation of the ** First Epittle to Bi^ Areby" ealled tortb the folIowiDg reply — which, by permission of the domine, I have inserted here, it being the groand- work of the ** Second Epistle to Big Aroby." TO MY ANCIENT l^IBND, Ac, &o., &c. Dear Johnny, I have just read o'er Your latest penny " gingle," Where small beer wit and something more In harmony commingle. I thank you for the kind advice So delicately hinted. And trust you'll get the hawking price To pay for what youVe printed. Ml--!'-, j m is 194 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Your slurs, dear John, that I have vccr'd My course, in hope of gaining That cosy port for which I steerd, SjKjaks well for Tory training ; And 'tis not strange that you should lie, Or hurl at truth defiance, When schooVd beneath the scheming eye Of the all-gieat aH-LiEancc, Grieve not, my friend ! what signifies That I have been defeated ! The wire that 'neath the Ocean lies Broke thrice before completed ! The liberal cause is still supreme, Despite the pious faction ; Well rouse the Tories from their dream When comes the day of action. You seem to think it very hard That IVe not been promoted ; This kindly proof of your regard Of course, is dulv noted. But you must know, my verdant friend, ( Now this you need not mention,) That I, although I don't pretend. Have got a " secret " pension I THE IRLAND MIN8TRBL. id5 Why 80-and-so got this goml place. And what rrye-(;all-him that (Uio, I care ?iot, but 'tis a disgiace That y()ii huve not a fat one. Altho' a native born and bred, And skillVl (?) in Banks • to clerk it/' Foreign Britons are hired instead, And you — still in tlie market ! Come, tijll the public, honest John, 'Twill make your breast much cleaner, Who 'twas that humbly f'awn'd u{)on The "l)ounty" of the Premier? Who, to be made Assend)ly Clerk, Did Coles himself solicit ? And wlu) but 'P. L. I." his mark, Hixd the good iuck to — miss it ? Who was it, when releas'd from care, His money being all counted, Implor'd that on the master s chair He might again be mounted ? Do tell us, John, for you know well Who was the " cringing " spaniel — Just train your muse the truth to tell, My rhyming second Danie). 13 m 496 TH16 IfiltA.SD MINSTaKL. You wish me now to turn away From friends with whom I've striven, And join your clique — and hint that pay To thofle who turn is given. Excuse me, John, 1 must decline ; I speak and write for freedom, And do not like the Tories whine For public bread to feed them. My *' lungs " and ** throat" are still all right, My heart remains undaunted ; And should there be a faction-fight, 111 be on hand — if wanted. So woo again your hobbling muse, ( A pity 'twere to part ye ) And if you want some further news, Address your friend Big Archy. SECOND EPISTLE TO BIG ARCHY. Archy, my compliments to you, I've read the last epistle ; Well pleas'd to find that you can chew. Unhurt, the Premier's thistle. THB ISLAND MIMSTaSL. itr But had I known what you could say, What stinging verses send me ; 1 had not thrown my pearls away, For you to turn and rend me. For who, my friend, would e'er suppose That you in verse could caper ? You ! who can hardly write in prose Fit to appear on pa|)er. Doth Saul among the Prophets dwell, The wonder of beholders ? — Or has the Wkrand mantle fell On muclde Archy s shoulders ? All wonder-struck the piece I read, As one that starts in dreaming, Till wide awake, at last, 1 said. Here's more of Archy 's scheming ! In this respect none but yourseF, To tell the truth about it, Can ever be your parallel — You can't get on without it. Well, be it so, I'll not complain : That makes one melancholy ; Archy, you're but yourself again, Transparent through your folly ! — 198 THE ISLAND MIN8TRKL'. Btill tread the easy road to fame, The pathway of pretension, And lend your talismanic name Long as they lend the pension. A secret pension, Archy ! say — Since " Snatcher " schemes^are funny — How do the kids contrive to pay The ** secret service " money ? Does Government, hefore 'tis due, To satisfy your craving, Anticipate the revenue. And get along by shaving ! Or is the pay of which you wrote, As some have shrewdly guess'djit, A pension with a petticoat In crinoline invested ? — Yes, some beneath kind fortune's sky Are born, who can deny it ? 1 envy not your luck, my boy. Long, long, may you enjoy it. But why should you, who have your slice, ^ By your own story-telling. Throw slurs aboutj^my hawking price To keep my wares from selling ? THK ISLAND MINBTBBIi. ]^9f. My simplie rhymes at random thrown, And read, you know, by many Archy, my friend ! arc all my own, And always worth the penny. But cunningly you choose the ground When you intend to shoot me : I tried the Bank, indeed, but found That banking did not suit me : I threw the office up — no blame ; I never look'd for booty, And had your premier done the same Gk'orge Coles had done his duty, " I ask'd the second Clerkship," true : But wherefore all your blowing ? I had as good a right as you Or any " rooster crowing." 1 might have known my chance was frail Indeed in that direction, For why ?— I liad not " bow'd to Baal " At Coles's late election. That he was liuif d was clear as morn, And instantly he showed it — Cock'd high his rooster-crest in scorn, And puird his nose — or — blow'd it. 200 THE ISLAND MINBTREI.. The great result was all the same, For turning round quite tart, he Declared "as how" I had no claim Upon the liberal party. I ask'd again " the master's chair/' 1 never had abused it ; I always had been sober there : The ivhishy worm refused it ! God keep the poor, like you and me, When fickle fortune wavers, With hands to work and eyes to see, Froin leaning on his favours. And now, 1 tell your master " how," While breath remains inside me, ril never to'his image bow. ' Whatever may betide me. (Spaniel K may crawl and cringe for fear, And lic^k the hands that beat 'em ; Thistles will grow again next year — Let hungry asses eat 'em. Now, Archy, by especial grace, In Saturdays " Diurnal/' Give these few simple lines a place — They'll help the " People's Journal/' II, i THK ISLAND MINSTREL. Let all your biting Barcasms end, And worse than cruel mocking, And 80 oblige your '* ancient friend," And save the coin. for hawking. 201 THE SHERRA MUIR ELECTION — MARCH, 1864. A PARODY. 0, cam' ye here the fun to share Wr Palmer, cheek by jowl man ; Or hae ye aye 2, vote to spare For Reddin and for Coles, man ? I saw the canvass up and down Thro' Royalty and Charlottetown, How Candidates would smile or frown That bobbing day to hear the aye^ — Or else the naij; then turn away From voters, looking dole, man. Heard ye our cry for liberty — Loud as an ass's bray man ? CoUeagu'd wi' Reddin, Coles must be Victorious every way, man. Three hundred voters on our side, Of mettle true as e'er was tried, Well soon bring down the tories' pride, Pay back the jeers and scorniul sneers Of many years, in long arrears. In fuU, the voting day, man. ao2 THE I8LAN7) MINSTREL. But did you see our grand parade, Our banners green and blue, man ? That cast the Longworths in the shade, And made the Palmers screw, man ? As on the morning's air did rise The band's melodious, dulcet noise, A rabble of three hundred " b'hoys " AH flock'd like goats to hear the notes, In ragged coats, who all have votes By bill of Franchise new, man "0, how, deil Tarn, can that be true ? " Three hundred votes ye say, man ! I know as much, and more than you : They gang the other way, man ! The canvass on our own guid side Was carried forward far and wide, Through streets and lanes lord Richard hied, From east to west, and did his best, With all the rest, to break the nest Of Snatchers u]) — fair ])lay, man ! 1 marked weel tlie artful wiles, The speeches fair and bland, man : *' The nods and looks, and wreathed snules," And hearty shakes of liand, man. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. The poll was open — ten o'clock : The voters soon began to flock, And then the grand Electric shock — The Tory fun was two to one, And ere the Sun his course had run, The case was settled grand, man ! My sister Kate cam' uj) the gale " All breathless wi' surprise, man ; She stopt to hear the Snatcher's fate, And saw wd' her own eyes, man — To raise a row was past their skill, The constables, wi' right guid will, Determin'd there to keep all still ; Wi' painted sticks, as red as bricks, Thro' crowds did mix, and stop the tricks Of all the grumbling blioys, man. They've gain'd some gallant gentlemen The Government is strong man ! And Haviland is voted ben, Whom envy's tongue did wrong, man Now, would ye sing this contest bold The simple truth may soon be told, The people's votes will not be sold, — Whate'er bcfal to great or small — For gown or shawl — ^tliat settles all, And finishes my song, man. ito4 'PHK ISLAND MINSTUHT, DONNYBKOOK KKDIVIVIIM. Invited by Wlu-lan to Dorinybrook iair, The Paddies canie tiockin^^ like jjjeese on the square, Bog-trottern asscrnliled for Snat(;her-good will, Overright the big hustings of Sheriff M'Gill ; And the Sheriff liiinself arrah ! mounted on high, Wid a buHJi on Iiis beard, was the broth of a boy ; Who, to sliew wluit a partizjui Slieriif ean do, Caird the nieetiux -'it hnlvc in the stead of at two, m Now, the ineeting was ejiird for tiie Queen's County men, Who, in counting tlieir meini)ers, had eight out of ten. To pass Resolutions of ecnsure and blame On the Snatcher ofheials, who liad, to their shame, Put out the old " l\)sthers " and put in the new — To show what tlie Snatchers, when rabid, could do — And Whelan, to make liis wild countrymen stare, Had christen'd the meeting a " Donnybiook Fair/' And bedful, the big Sheriff, ir) choosing the ground, Had selected it so they might listen all round ; So that those who in fn>nt could'nt hear, when address'd. Might hear from behind and be wise as the rest. mmmmmmm THE ISLAND MIN8TKKL. 205 Discreetly contriving away from the wall, Of the precious harangues to lose nothing at all ; Och ! the Sheriff tliat fixVl up that h(*n-i*o()8t so high Wid a bush on his beard was " the broth of a boy !" » And close by the side of the Sheriffs big beard On the hustings, Cxeorge Coles and " Cock Robin ' appear d, — And the hero of " Cashmere." who threaten'd so plain To blow up the Tories when firing his train On the day of election, and make such a flare As he sent them, like rockets let off tlu-ough the air; But the powder got damp, and Stephen the bold Only got back to Bagdad, like Sinbad of old. And besides these three worthies, old Kelly foreby, Was there on the roost muffled up in liis joy, Wid Whelan the Printer, himself " to the fore'' And thistle-fed Archy — great spakers anthore ! And Blake in white kids to throw dust in the eyes Of the bare-footed girls and the "Donnybrook'' boys. Be the pipers of war! no such "spaches" were made Since Pet^ir the hermit prach'd up the Crustide* \-\ Hi |i^ ill ''! ill I m\ !^ 206 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Then the Snatchers proposed U) the boys on the green Six cheers for themselves and but three for the Queen ; And then, just to show that they were not afraid, They sliould pass the Belfasters in "marching parade ! " So Stephen the brave went ahead of the van ! And was followed by all the bould boyB to a man ; And the blacks and the whites, and the big and the small, To honor the Governor s self wid a call ! And faith, by the way, it's himself must be proud When he look'd with both eyes on the face of the crowd ; And faith, it's himself must have welcom'd the boys, When they near tore the roof off his scull with the noise Of the shouts and the cheers that went up in the air. From the lungs of people at '* Donnybrook Fair ! " Three more for " Couk Robin ! " and three for the grog! Till the sounds died away in the heart of the lx)g ! But III tell you a secret you must not disclose, As true as my rhyme, and that every one knows, THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 207 And it's strange as it's true that the '* Donnybrook " boys, After all their parading, and nonsense and noise, Left the Sheriff's own hustings denuded of men. And never went near the big hen-roost again ; But straight to the citadel posting them where They were cover'd in flank, not to say in the rear, Och ! the Donnybrook fair was a comical scene — What with shouts for the Snatchers and cheers for the Queen ! And the beautiful orators spaking so fast, And running away from the hen-roost at last ! And the Sheriff himself, arrah I honey, my joy ! Wid a bush on his beard, was the broth of a boy, Who to show what a partizan Sheriff can do. Had erected the roost and deserted it too. DARNLEY BRIDGE, AUG. 18, 1843. Driven before the tempest's roar, In piecemeal late I strew'd the shore, Or mark'd upon the upland glade Where the proud Ocean's waves were stay'd • But now, once more I cross the tide From Princetown to tlie Darnley side, — m im THS IBLAND MEM8TRBL. A standing monument, to show What industry and art can do ! And now, no flimsy, fragile frame, The public confidence 1 claim 1 While modesty myself I praise — Like candidates on voting days. Perhaps no Island Bridge elsewhere, In fairness can with me compare : Observer ! my length itself contains A distance more than twenty chains ; Besides, so popular am I, My friends have me exalted high Above the rude, ungracious shocks Of the autumnal equinox. But still I have my enemies, — Whom I can never hope to please, Who, like the owls, look wondrous wise, And stun me with their senseless noise. These have a thousand faults to find, And say a thousand things unkind — " That my whole plan's irregular — Abutments here, and fi-ame work there ; That, soon as comes September's blow 1^0 back the swelling spring tide's flow, From my construction, it is plain, I must go all to bits again. While some find fault I am too high To cross — ^their heads reel dizzily ! 9HS ISLilND MfN^TRKL The angry l)oatmen, as they go . Beneath ine, 8wear I am too low ! ThuH sinister opinion goes As different as the wind that blows, — So different, that 1 know 'twould pall My best attemps to please them all. You know 'tis told, in days of yore, When asses were reputed more, A i)eaceable old man l)estow'd Most anxious care, to please the crowd ; But louder still their clamor grew For all tliat poor old man could do — Who did his utmost, but, alas ! Pleas'd nol)ody, and lost his ass. But envy's tongue is never still — So let it run — ^for run it will ; The best of men it doth not spare ! Why should not I expect a share ? But while it runs. Til exercise That virtue of the truly wise, Which teaches men revenge to shun, And render good for evil done. I'll " heap the coals " thus more and more By crossing all the grumblers o'er ; I feel my gratitude is due, And best of thanks, kind friend, to you. 210 THE ISLAND IflNSTREL.. Who did 80 nobly all agree — To aid in my extremity, And in return, I'll ease your toil, By cheating many a weary mile ; ni cross the lover to the side Of her he wishes for his bride. And sure am I, when this is done, To please the ladies, one by one, — So, 'till my services avail, Kind friends, I bid you all f^irewel). FAREWELL TO 1847. Fast fleeting year, just stay a while, And listen to a simple chiel Who hail'd thy birth with many a smile 0' friendly glee And would, before ye ** pass the stile," Shake hands with thee. Your infant, plaintive wail I heard, When winter wild your cradle stirr'd, Ere yet one pretty, painted bird, In time of flowers. Warbling thy growing praise, was heard In scented bowerr. THE ISLAND MIK8TRKL. 2ll' And when the southern breezes blew, And spring, advancing, softly flew, — When Chanticleer, with vigour crew, And lambkins play'd, I marked thy growth with pleasure too, In leafy shade I I saw June crown thy forehead fair, Which erst in winter montlis was bare, . The, best bouquet July could spare, By Summer's hand Was wreath'd with other chaplets there, Which she commands. I watched when August did adorn Thy harvest fields with wavy corn, And, in September, saw them shorn To stubble ground — A rich supply from plenty's horn, ' Pour'd all around. When Autumn's winds disturbed the air, And tore thy lovely garlands fair, And once more laid thy temples bare With blustering hate, I read the pointed moral there Man's early fate. 14 I' 912 THE ISLAND MINRTRRL. But who may tell, brief passing year, What changes saw thy iieet career, What hearts have throbb'd with hope and fear, What grief or joy Has glisten'd thro' the pearly tear In many an eye. And when the tempest loud did rave, And human skill too weak to save ! How many sunk beneath the wave — To rise no more — Have found a sudden watery grave Far from the shore ? While some, more fortunate than these, Have safely cross'd the roaring seas ; Or wafted by the fav'ring breeze, Or urg'd by steam, Have passed, in Neptune's car, with ease, Th' Atlantic stream. Sir Henry's gone, you understand, To see once more his native land — Heaven guide him from a foreign strand In safety home^ Sir Donald's here to take command — The Campbell's come. TUK IBLAHD MINSTRKI^ And thy successor, too, is near,— Heaven soon will send another year ; But, ere it come, I'll drop a tear Of tribute due, Upon the time- worn, 8al)]e bier That ciirrioa you. And now, thy race is alniost run, Soon '48 will be begun : The rays of thy last setting sun Are shining clear. One hearty squeeze, and I have don Farewell, Old Year I 213 The year 1851 was remarkable for thd nainber of illastrloaf peraonages who passed from lime during it8 course. The fol. lowing verses, referring lo this morulity among the (ireat, were written for the IMewoboy of the Royal Oazette, at that lime pnblished by J. I). Ilaszird, Rsq. They are inserted here, not on account of the beauty of the poutry, but as being useful to fii (he date of the death of Sir Donald Campbell, the Lieatenant Governor of this Island — and other noble individuals, lo whom irerereace is auppoged (o l>e mado by the Newsboy. * * * Since New Year's now twelve months ago, What grand events have mark'd the time, What changes vast, for weal or woe, Have furmsh'd food to feed my rhyme 1 i 214 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Pale death on his white horse has come, To thousands with the bill of fate, Assail'd alike the poor man's home, And Royal mansion of the great : None can evade the common lot — Death's cold impression all must feel, The rustic ruler of a cot, The Statesman — as Sir Robert Peel. Could Greatness soften death to spare— r Those to the living Great allied, Would have but little cause for care, And Adelaide might not have died. Or, softened at misfortune s blow, Could death be taught to pity men, Time had assuaged an Exile's woe, Or raised him to his throne again. But Louis Philippe, child of chance, Twice exil'd from the Gallic shore — Now dead to Frenchmen and to France, Heeds neither praise nor censure more. E'en here has death the fatal strife, Urg'd on, with many a ruthless blow, — Has thinn'd our ranks of humbler life, And laid Sir Donald Campbell low. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. ■ ■, • • ■ ■ ■ • And soon by each, some unknown day, His clay cold pillow must be shar'd, — For life's a forfeit all must pay — Heaven grant we all may be prepared ! , Bi;it yet, tbo' thousands yearly be Thus lost like foam-wreath on the shore, This world — like Ocean full and free, ' Goes dashing bravely as before ! 'Tis strange in this enlighten'd age. Some nations will delight in war, Europe is kindling into rage, Anv. Mars appears the ruling star. • Rumors of strife now " pain the ear," Borne swiftly o er th' Atlantic foam — But our horizon yet is clear, Peace blesses yet our Island home. And plenty lifts our spirits up, WeVe little reason to complain ; No mildew spoil'd last summer's crop. No rust consumed the golden grain 1 :(c :|c :*! :(c » :|c k ^^^^^ ™I ^r'ri || 1 215 |j T ' ^ii:- SBS ^B 216 THB ISLAND MINSTREL. Meeting of dominkha's cotiNCiL. ANNO DOMINI 1858. To the council of the nation The great chief had call'd the fathers — CalFd them from the inland places, From the Eastward and the Westward, — From the Northward and the Southward, — From Kildare, Naufrage, and Malpeque, Flinty Glen, and Murray Harbor, Call'd them in the dead of winter, When the frost lays on the mountains. When the hunter traps the foxes, By the mud-holes of the marshes, Where they go to feed on gudgeons. Very urgent was the business To be settled in the councils, And the cliief, by proclamation, Called the sages all together. To the wigwam Council Chamber, That to him the wise might hearken. When the sages in the nation Heard the great Chiefs proclamation, Rising early in the morning. Binding on their feet the snow shoes, T\V THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 217 Wrapping well their furs around them — Skins of heavers, hears and foxes, Taking with them large provisions Calumets, and hows and arrows, They set off to meet the great one, And to hearken to his speeches. In the wigwam council chamber — With a lion 8 skin around him And his head adorned with feathers — Sat the chief of all the Micmacs ; Who, regarding well the sages Standing very thick before him, Utter'd thus his words of wisdom In the ears of tlie assembled : (Dominkhas Speech.) " I have caird you from your wigwams, I have caird you from your women, I have call'd you in the winter, — As is usual in our customs — That you may in solemn council Shew your zeal for public welfare. Providence — as wliite men call him — Has this year afforded plenty, — Plenty wild geese in the season, Giving quills, and food, and feathers, — m THE ISLAND MINSTBBL. Plenty fo;xes, minks, and martens. Bears and loupcerveirs, and squirrels, Plover^ partridge, ducks and sea-gulls,-^ All to make the Indian wealthy — And the share for this big wigwam Has afforded satisfaction. " But among the Eastern Indians, Wars have raged with fearful fury ; Horrid wars among the Sepoys — Tribes that hate the other Indians, And, with cruel disposition, KiU the squaws and young papoosei^; But the lightning news assures us That the braves of our great nation — Dealing vengeful retribution- — ' Soon shall tomahawk and scalp them." Then he spoke about illicit Traffic in the bad fire water, Hurtful to the Indian's morals, — ^ Hurtful both to soul and body. To the women in the wigwam. To the cunning hunter's eyesight — Hurtful in the illegal practice, / And in premier distillation (?) Further, great Dominkha told them He would lend co-operation In the business of the wise ones ; 1 THE ISLAND MINS'^RIEL. ^^ Send them rolls of written parchment — Sent to him by her whose wisdom Eules beyond the big sea waters. Bowing, then, to those before him, Who had listened with attention, The great chief arose and left them, Left them to their own opinions — So, in these days, white chiefs often Call their councillors together Call their houses of assembly, And make speeches for their people*, To the other end of that big ^ Wigwam . rush'd the chosen wise oned, Wisely to consult, in council On the wisdom of Dominkha. Soon, an Indian from the Eastward — Caird in micmac ThorntonooAjo — Took his seat above the others. Who were seated all around him : Then, Dominkha's speech again was Bead aloiid, in all their hearing, That each Indian in the council Might express his approbation ; Or, in hearing of his brothers, TeD why he was discontented. Uli' i I j 220 THE IBLAND MINSTREL. Very varied in opinion Were the wise ones of the council ! On the words to which they listened, On the great Dominkha's wisdom ! I list arose young Havilandoo — Great among the talking Indians — Great in thought, and word, and action,- Wfije, profound, and very learned, L&rxv^»«mM«lti««.w — . ^'tfi THK ISLAND MINSTREL. 22S But " no earthly delight can eternally last," And we feel that a gloom o'er our spirits is cast, And the tear of affection now moistens the eye, As we think that our patrons, like others, must die; And sincerely lament, on this Institute's floor, That Gainsfard and Convoy must meet us no mor^ For the loss of such men, every bosom must feel : They have gone — let us hope — to the " land o* the leal,''— From the right of pre-judgment humanity turns, To bury their faults with the failings of Burns, For the spirit of charity best will be shewn. By forgetting their errors to think of our own. « If prayers that are short are acknowledged the best, My prayers shall be short, but sincerely expressed t May the friends of this Institute never despond, But, united more closely in amity's bond, May science around them her mantle yet throw, ' Shining brighter to warm them as older they grow. And now, tho' the demon of discord may rave. And wildly may heave the political wave, That wave shall rebound from our Institute's door, Hitherto, but no fiuilier, its surges may roar — While in Charity's spirit and name we agree, To drown our iU feelings in bumpers of tea t ^ THE ISLAND MINSTREL. ON THE EDUCATIONAL PROSPECTS OF PRINCK EDWARD ISLAND. The would-be poet, emulous of fame, Will court the Muse to dignify his name ; Pretend he met her by some murm ring rill, Where darkness reign'd, and other sounds were still ; Or shift the scene, and wand ring with her go, Where frightful tempests vomit polar snow ; There catch the spirit of the raging storm, And learn from nature pensive lines to form. Thus purling rills his tender passions move To sympathy, and furnish strains of love ; The fearful tempest, howling thro* the air, Supplies the image when he paints despair. I, too, must beg the favor of the Muse, To grace a subject poets seldom choose ;. To sing of Education's dawning day. Which soon shall chase dark ignorance away, — That, Boon unveil'd, shall spread its wings and fly To hide beneath a " less effulgent sky." Prince Edward Isle I the magic of thy name Enkindles in iny breast the patriot-flame ; Well pleas'd I view each cultivated scene, And challenge Erin for a richer green. But tho' enraptur'd, I can not forget How large a part remains a forest yet ; Where stately trees in grand, luxuriant style, Proclaim the riches centred in thy soil ; THB IBLAND MINBTRKL. 225 And e'en from this, a heartfelt pleasure flows, For all thy forests " blossom as the rose." From pleasing scenes like these I turn awhile, To dwell upon thy intellectual soil, Which, soon ** unforested," shall richly jdeld, And bloom — ^a charming, cultivated field. f For whichsoever way I look around, ' Scions of science cover all the ground — A cheering sight of healthy, vigorous shoots. That promise harvest rich of mental fruits ; Thy sons of various talent shall arise Some future " Wiggins," who shall read the skies ; Some " Cooper," deeply skill'd in nature's laws, Of winds and currents shall explain the cause ; Widely the healing art shall spread abroad, From learn'd doctors of the Malpeque Road. Some native Bigney shall to future men Give scientific lectures on the brain. Some one (but this appears a doubtful case) May rival *' Knox," and well supply his place ! E'en hoarse St. Lawrence now pretends to taste, Proud of the gem he wears upon his breast, And gently, when the stormy tempest blows. Kisses thy shore, and ** murmurs soft applause I * The Rev. Abraham Van Ge)d«r Wiggint, abont the time this pi«ee was written, was lectoring on Astroaomj at St. Elaaaor'a» with great eclat W. Cuoperi Evq*» waa alfo Jactiriag on •vindt and cnrrentn. • mm TLI£ ISLAND MINSTREL. limes on the loss of frederick r. goodmah, esq., and miss ann maloney, on the Gth august, 1869. Fast after night fled the twilight of morning, Light were the bosoms that greeted the dawn, Bright rose the Sun in his splendor, adorning Mountain and meadow, and fore»t and lawn — Breathing no discord of sorrow or sadness, Sweet sweird the music of cottage and grove, Nature around us was vocal with gladness, Hope and affection, and duty and love. Fair was the Summer — no feature distorted — Smiling and gay in maturity's pride. Fresh were the zephyrs that playfully sported Kissing in ripples the Hillsborough-tide ! Who that look'd out on*that prospect so cheery, Look'd at the landscape, the river and sky. Could have foreseen that a tempest so dreary, Wing'd for destruction, was ready to fly ? Dark rising clouds, rifting brightly asunder, Mark in the distance the " hurricane's home." Hark t in the west roUs the deeply-toned thunder. Pealing along through the wind-fretted dome. THK ISLAND MINBTREIi. 227 See I the proud *' Storm King I " to fury awaking, Flapping \m wings us ho rides in the rain, Bending the trees of tho forest, or breaking, Lashing to fury the waves of the main I Boatman beware ! — tho' to peril no stranger — Seest thou not coming that s^celeton form ? Frail is thy skiff in this crisis of danger, Safely to swim through the terrible storm — Frail is thy skiff — but alas ! disappearing ! Over thy boat the wild waters are thrown, — Now I can see but the " St( i m King " careering, Riding the white crested billows alone ! SuchhonestGoodman — . i)o mueie will deplore thee — Such was thy destiny yet in thy prime ! Such, lovely Ann, was the fate that clos'd o'er thee, Such are the fatal mutations of time ! Hopeful and happy the dawning ye greeted, Look'd with delight on the air-rippled wave, But ere the Sun had his journey completed. Silent ye lay in a watery grave ! Who, as the morning awakes us to duty. Looking abroad on this *^ green mantled earth,'' Blooming in Eummer, and sun-light, and beauty, Who can divine what a day may bring foith t 16 rras nRSiD JTO^ JfOJ^P Mj^ffrm*. Friendship and life are both sadly uncertain, — 1 1 Xoming with gladness may open our door, Bat, ere the evening lets fall her dark curtain, Some we have loved may be living no more ! LICENTU VATUM. There is a rumour that the Prince of Wales Is just about to leave the English sod, litent, while summer in the north prevails, To see his Mother's Colonies abroad — A mark of sympathy from our great Queen, As Princes of the Eoyal blood and style Are rarities not often to be seen, E'en in this most aristocratic Isle, Fringe Edward nam'd, to fix some great event, * After the Queen's papa — ^the illustrious Duke of ^ Kent. When Princes travel, with a retinue Of noble lords and dukes, far from home, The least the favored colonists can do. Is to get ready for them ere they come. — To cover all defects in decent haste, With paint or whitewash of the whitest kind, Expressive of a cultivated taste, An emblem of our purity of mind — THE TBLkSI} milBTlUDL wm A custom very ancient, as we'i^ tokl, — The Jews were wont to cleanse their sepulchres of old. And why should we not paint, and whitewash toof The Legislature hospitably bent, Have placed the whole Colonial Revenue • ' At the disposal of the Government t With such a tether I such a length to play> Ecomony would but defeat its ends — What signifies expense ? " not every day Does Donald kill the cow " to treat his friends,— At such a time it must not be our care To see the lions only, but to make them stare! But difference of opiiions there will be. As various thoughts in different channels run ; 'Tis vain to look for unanimity ; 'T would be a " something new beneath the eaaf gome recommend that seven fat kine at least Be roasted whole upon the market square, And to give eclat to the sumptuous feast, That all in Lilliput alike should share, And that for fuel dry " to do them brown/' Th' old market house be burn'd, that eye sore to the town. :i36 TliE ISLAND MINSTREL. But others think 'twould be a sin and shame To burn the poor old market house, when we Must all admit it has a righteous claim ^ Upon the tenure of our memory. And that 'twould be much better, on the ground, To make it ornamental to the eye : A mammoth Indian camp, all covered round With spruce and firs, and such wild drapery I That all the Micmac subjects of our Queen May dance a "hunt the squirrel" through the sylvan scene. A nice idea that ! though whimsical, A primitive conceit, where Fancy free Buns as romantic as an Indian tale, And, like my verse, replete with poetry I The Indians there might mimic war, to please The Prince, and let his Royal Highness see flow red men used to scalp their enemies, The French or English, as the case might be. Or youthful squaw not fond of warlike strife, Might show how Pocahontas saved the white man'8 life ! Then there be those who think a banquet rare Should be provided for the better breed 1 Who chance to have the nobk dimes to spare, For entrance tickets to the costly " feed." "«w* THE ISLAND lilNSTRSL. 231 A gathering more select, a grand array ♦ f ^ Of blooming beauty, and of fashion fine ! Where full blood gentlemen and ladies may Display their breeding, coats and crinoline I And who can tell but some angelic form In that bright ring may take the Prince's heart by storm ! Besides all this, 'tis rumoured up and down, The Government, to show their sterling sense, Intend that all the taverns in the town, Be thrown wide open at the State's expense ; To give all thirsty souls a geu ral spree ! As eager candidates will sometimes do : Striving to mend their popularity, Regardless of what troubles mny ensue. — Much as the muse loves tyndh and social joy, She cannot here but hope that Rumour tells a lie. But " time it is my desultory song Should have an ending " — so the muse will pray, God send his Royal Higliness safe along, With no mishap to stop his princely way. And, for his Mother's .sake, each noble lord That helps to form his suite must for his cheer, Be fiimished with the best we can afford. To make him comfortable while he*8 here : BB8B3 t/ THX ISLAND MIK8TBBL. That 80 the Prince, with our desserts impressed, Hay Knight, perhaps a score, — ^the bard among the rest! HatiDg, through the kindness of George Dundas, Esquire — our present respected Governor — ^been pri« Alleged to present the '^^elcome to the Prince of Wales " to his Royal Highness, I had the honor of receiving the following acknowledgment from the Prince, written by Major General Bruce : — Prince Edward Island, 11th August, 1860. Sir; I am commanded by the Prince of Wales to thank jou for a copy of verses which you have been good enough to write on the occasion of H. R. Highness' visit to this Colony, which he has perused with much pleasure ; and to state, also, that he hiis much pleasure in giving his sanction to your including the lines in question in your forthcoming volume. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, (Signed! R. BRUCE, Major General. To John LePage, Esq. WELCOME TO THE FRINGE OF WALEft Let acclamations loud and long Ring o'er our hills and dales ! God save the Queen, our loyal song, And bless the Prince of Waler. '—'-' — "i mi'iMiiiriOTiii III. _ TBS m.AND HINSTBEIn |B3| Where thousands press to see his face,' fy The foremost place we claim, f This beauteous Isle, our dwelling place, Records his Grandsire's name. Then let usjirst our homage pay, As rightfully we claim, — We hail the brightest Si\r to-day In Edward! 8 arch of fame t Crod save the Prince of Wales ! encwe t In patriotic style, — We love the " Heir Apparent" more, Because we love our Isle : Our lovely Isle, so fair to see, So near the fount of fame ! Well sing its praise with greater glee For bearing Edward's name ! And let us first, &c. But still 2i finer chord we wake. To sound the praise we mean. We love him for his Mother's sake, Because we love our Queen — Our gracious Queen, may she receive The best that heaven bestows ; ^ And long in health and splendor live. The envy of her foes ! And let us first, &c. 234 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. Where despots rule with iron rod, Eegardless of the right, Their vassals must obey their nod, And tremble at their might ; But where Victoria's flag is seen, There Liberty must grow. And loyal hearts that love their Queen, Spontaneous homage show. And let n^Jirs't, &c. God save our Koyal Queen ! once more/ And Albert at her side ! And choicest blessings freely pour On all her empire wide. Still may her arms victorious be On every battle-plain, And, as of yore, triumphantly Her navy sweep the main ! And let us first, &c. No fear that Britons will be slaves, — That England's sun will set ; Britannia long has ruled the waves, And long shall rule them yet. On every deck a gallant crew Stand, prompt, for peace or war, Another *^ Spithead Grand Review" Or second Trafalgar ! And let us firsts &c. THE ISLAND MINSTREL. 235 Hail! England's Quee^t I in matron state, Fit subject of our songs; Whose power our rights can vindicate, Or soon avenge our wrongp. And hail ! the Prince of Wales ! her soni Pride of the parent stem : The Heir to England's lofty throne. To Britain's diadem ! And let us first, &c. Then let us sing, till echoes ring, — This Prince of high degree, When Heaven sees fit to order it, Our future King may be ! And may the power above confer Selectest gifts 'Divine Upon the House of Hanover, And Brunswick's Royal line. And let us first our honiage pay, As rightfully we claim, — We hail the brightest Star to-day In Britain's arch of fame ' ALBERT EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, TOMB OF WASHINGTON. AT THE A merica ! fair shall thy history be, L ong shall thy proud Eagle spread over the free I THl ISLAND IIIK8TBKL. B right reoords are thine on the annals of fame, B nstamp'd with the signet of Washington's name t Benown mnst he thine ! and the portion of all, T hat strike off their fetters at Libert/s call I E nshrin'd in the hearts of the wise and the good ; D istinguish'd in death by simplicity's mood ; W orth rests at Mount Vernon I America weeps, A nd hallows the ground where her Washington sleeps. B eposing immortal ! to millions so dear, D eath hardly can boast to have conquered him here I P eace, wrapt in her mantle, sits watching, and far B epels from the spot the proud spirit of war I I n bass tones of grief sounding mournfully near, N otes solemn fall sadly on Royalty's ear ; C an Albert unmov'd hear the dirge of the brave ? B nough I — ^he uncovers at Washington's grave. n history's page of the past we have read, F or freedom America battled and bled ; — W ar sounded his blood-sprinkl'd trumpet around, A nd wild Revolution awoke at the sound I L ong struggled the brave in the terrible strife, E ach blow was for freedom, for country, for life ! 8 hall Liberty triumph ? — ^the sequel we see : A " star-spangled banner " waves over ih.e free f That banner was Washington's cynosure bright, V hat show'd to Old England America's rtghl, THS ISLAITD MINSTREL. 2911 H e Uv'd to niaintain it, — now nobles agree ; > fC E ntomb'd, there is not a more noble than he. -! The noblest must come to "earth's narrowest room I " bserve but that group at the Patriot's tomb ; 'M id fashion full-blown, and festivity gay, !! B y the glare of the lamp and the light of the day, On! on, they have sported 1 — a galaxy bright 1-^ F orgetting the past in the present delight, W hile vol and lute have proclaimed their advance, A nd quickened their steps in the maze of the dance. See! now they have come to the shrine of the dead, — H ow changed is their manner ! how alter'd their tread! ;. 1 n view of the sepulchre gayety flies, — N o place that for triflirvg where Washington lies ! G reat Britain concedes the respect which is due, — T he son of her Queen, and her noblemen too, bserving, in silence, mortality's doom, N ow stand all uncovered at Washington's tomb ! VALENTINE ADDRESSED TO MISS C — D — , FEBRUARY 14tH, 1845. To the high and accompli8h'd,the blooming andfai|r, Lady, Sovereign of Blank g,nd the castles of air .r] This humble petition which, postage-paid, goeth ". Of Peter Van Puff Pipe, respectfully sheweth,— 238 THE ISLAND MINSTREL. That petitioner once had a heart of his own, As light in liis breast as a feather on stone-^ Always aiiy and buoyant, and free as a joke, While petitioner had but tobacco to smoke. — That all things went smc oth, for his title was clear, 'Till th' one thousand eiglit hundred and forty- fifth year Of our Lord — wlien a chubl)}-rac'd, plump little pimp,— With the face of an an<^a'l and heart of an imp, — Gave petitioner cause for thiis formal complaint, By playing oft' tricks that would torture a saint ! That lately, while sitting devout in his pew — As all christians on Sunday, of course, ought to do- Petitioner, deeming no evil was near him, Rais'd his eyes to the parson — tlie better to hear liim ; — And to prove that petitioner could not be blind. Your ladyship's pew — was directly beliind, — And further, to prove that complainant saiiii true. Your ladyship slept not that Sunday in p( w 1 That the foul little pimp herein mentioned i)cf'ore — Got he in at the AvindoAv or in at the door, Or down through the stove pipe, so slyly did poke His chubby face out from your ladyship's cloak, With arch, sidelong glances depicted upon it — And partly conceal'd by your ladyship's bC)nnet — TIIK ISLAND MINSTREL. 2S9 Then and there took an aim, and inserted a dart In the innermost core of petitioner's heart. — That petitioner doubts not the arrow was sent, Without your advice, with felonious intent On the part of the urchin ; to rob him of what, By right undisputed, petitioner got — And held in possession, by deed without flaw, Secur'd by the nine famous points of the law. That petitioner's heart, wliich beforetime was sound, And which sigli'd not, and bled not, and felt not a wound, Now sighs, throbs, and bleeds and turns green, black, and blue. When petitioner thinks of your ladysliip's pew ; And the fat little imp, with his arrows and bows, That hid in the folds of your ladyship's clothes, And poked out his nose, with a smile and a grin. To shoot at petitioner arrows of sin. Intending him some grievous bodily harm. And filling his breast with distress and alarm. — Petitioner therefore, would humbly submit His pitiful case at your ladyship's feet. And beg that you will, without further delay. Just drive from your pew the fat urchin away, — With his bows and his arrows, archlooksand grimace, And straightway petitioner set in his place : And Memorialist then, as in duty fast bound, Will pray for your ladyship all the year round. •id -Mi MAKitv latmnxu sry VAYiENTINE TO MISS L— 1>-.^ u»4 , FEBBUARY 14tH, 1846. . ^Deor lassie, I hope youll my freedom excuse, / And listen, well pleas'd, to this strain of the Muse-^ And while numbers of suitors, their blandishments •"■■'' ■ try- All eager to bask in the beam of your eye — On me let the light of your coimtenance shine, And, in spirit and truth, become my Valentine. There's B — ^r, young J — n, without whiskers is he — A' smock fac'd Adonis ! — ^no fit match for thee I And then, only think of how long you must stay ; Ere years of apprenticeship languish away ! — Believe me, dear girl, if you wait for that day, Your jetty black locks will be frosted with grey I Then Hymen* 8 pure sweets you could never enjoy What could an old woman do with a young hoy? — What do with him ? — ^listen to me, and 111 tell You the truth — and I hope you willponder it well — You'd have only to follow the Wandering Jew, As he kiss'd other maids who were younger tha n yr And then, there's McNeill, with his pedag Who pretends that he wishes your true >ve t( share I — But take my advice — send liim off with a jerk. To storm once again the proud hef».rt of Miss B — ^ke ; =s IP THB iSUMD VINBTJ 'aJMp ^ m For this simple ftot I feel bound to deoUra, Could he only have soft^n'd the adamant there f Tou Gharlottetown beauties, so primp and so prim With all your perfections, might whistle for him f Then, I've heard, and i partly believe it is true, That the iron-bound lawyer is dying for you. He swears that your heart shall be welded just s(^-« For he'll strike himself, and get Vulcan to blow !-^ But away with such smut love, and don't let him Now Your heart and affections all into a glow ; For believe me, youll find your case not over nice, — Peradventure, you get yourself fast in his vice I Besides, I am told, there is one laddie More Hangs his hat in your hall — coming in the front door — A musical genius I that sings, as you please. Treble, tenor, and counter — high ff 's and lowgg^s. But the next time he visits you, tell him for me, To be off with his impudence down to Miss L — And don't mince the matter, but out with it blunt, . That you won't be impos'd upon, — ^that's what you won't ! Again, dearest lassie, I pray you excuse My freedom, and hearken well pleas'd, to the muse; And while numbers of suitors to woo you appear. Bend the whole of them off with a " flea in the ear I" But on me let the light of your countenance shine^ And in spirit and truth become my Valentine, liiuipiiii i.ni m ii 242 ^THE ISLAND Mli^TSTREL. VALENTtNE FROM MISS C-fil TO %LEX. R-B, ESQ., M. P. P., FEBRUARY 14tH, 1848. This is leap year, and ladies this year are on top, And if frosty old bachelors will not incline, The q[uestion important in their ears to pop- Why, the ladies can ask to be their Valentine ? Sixty summers, and more, have passed over my head, But no offer of marriage has ever been mine ; And now, tho' the bloom of my beauty is shed, I have charms yet in store for an old Valentine • I^have gold ! blooming gold ! — what a treasure is this!— What a heap it would make if but added to thine! Let young minxes prate about beauty and bliss, But .there's beauty in gold — aint there — old Valentine? . Then scorn Speaker Joe, with his humbug and prate, And the big-bellied Doctor — ^inflated with wine ; Nor suffer the cares and distractions of state To keep you from my arms, my old Valentine. And then, my broad acres ! — -pray do not say no, For if you should this tempting offer decline, You, and all your stale tribe to 'die mischief may go, And in askjyoung BaulMabey for my Valentine »ii < tm