224
Though long the wanderer may depart, 225

GEORGE HENDERSON, 227
I canna leave my native land, 228

HORATIUS BONAR, D.D., 229
The meeting-place, 230
Trust not these seas again, 233

JOHN HALLIDAY, 234
The auld kirk bell, 234
The auld aik-tree, 236

JAMES DODDS, 238
Trial and death of Robert Baillie of Jervieswoode, 239

METRICAL TRANSLATIONS FROM THE MODERN GAELIC MINSTRELSY.

DUNCAN MACFARLAN, 249
The beauty of the shieling, 250

JOHN MUNRO, 251
The Highland welcome, 252

JOHN MACDONALD, JUN., 254
Mary, the fair of Glensmole, 254

EVAN M'COLL, 256
The child of promise, 256

INDEX, 257

INTRODUCTION.

As if pointing to a condition of primeval happiness, Poetry has been the
first language of nations. The Lyric Muse has especially chosen the land
of natural sublimity, of mountain and of flood; and such scenes she has
only abandoned when the inhabitants have sacrificed their national
liberties. Edward I., who massacred the Minstrels of Wales, might have
spared the butchery, as their strains were likely to fall unheeded on
the ears of their subjugated countrymen. The martial music of Ireland is
a matter of tradition; on the first step of the invader the genius of
chivalric song and melody departed from Erin. Scotland retains her
independence, and those strains which are known in northern Europe as
the most inspiriting and delightful, are recognised as the native
minstrelsy of Caledonia. The origin of Scottish song and melody is as
difficult of settlement as is the era or the ge