THE COVENANTER'S LAMENT. TUNE-" The Martyr's Grave." It's naething but a sword, lassie ! It's neither to the hill nor glen, The Martyrs' Hill's forsaken In simmer's dusk sae calm; But the martyr's grave will rise, lassie, BONNIE LASSIE. BONNIE lassie, blythesome lassie, Fondly wooing, fondly sueing, Let me love, nor love in vain; Hearts still bound by true love's chain. Fancy dreaming, hope bright beaming, Mirth and folly, joys unholy, Bonnie lassie, blythesome lassie, ANDREW MERCER. ANDREW MERCER was born at Selkirk, in 1775. By his father, who was a respectable tradesman, he was destined for the pulpit of the Secession Church. He became a student at the University of Edinburgh, in 1790, and was the class-fellow and friend of John Leyden, and of Dr Alexander Murray, the future philologist. At the house of Dr Robert Anderson, he formed the intimacy of Thomas Campbell; he also numbered among his early associates Thomas Brown and Mungo Park. Abandoning theological study, he cultivated a taste for the fine arts; and he endeavoured to establish himself in the capital in the twofold capacity of a miniature-painter, and a man of letters. With respect to both avocations, he proved unfortunate. In 1804, a periodical entitled the North British Magazine was originated and supported by his friends, on his behalf; but the publication terminated at the end of thirteen months. At a subsequent period, he removed to Dunfermline, where he engaged in teaching, and in drawing patterns for the manufacturers. In 1828, he published a “History of Dunfermline," in a duodecimo volume; and, at an interval of ten years, a volume of poems, entitled "Summer Months among the Mountains." A man of considerable ingenuity and scholarship, he lacked steadiness of application. His latter years were clouded by poverty. He died at Dunfermline on the 11th of June 1842, in his 67th year. THE HOUR OF LOVE. WHEN the fair one and the dear one Her lover by her side Strays or sits as fancy flits, Where yellow streamlets glide; Gleams illuming-flowers perfuming Time beguiling with her smiling, When the fair one and the dear one, Where grove and glade, and light and shade, Heaves the soft sigh of ecstasy, While coos the turtle-dove, And in soft strains appeals-complains, Should the fair one and the dear one Tears descending, sweetly blending, When the fair one and the dear one The heavenly mien, and look serene, JOHN LEYDEN, M.D. JOHN LEYDEN was born in September 1775,* at Denholm, a hamlet in the parish of Cavers, Roxburghshire. His ancestors, for several generations, were farmers, but his father followed the humble occupation of a shepherd. Of four brothers and two sisters, John was the eldest. About a year after his birth, his father removed to Henlawshiel, a solitary cottage,t about three miles from Denholm, on the margin of the heath stretching down from the "stormy Ruberslaw." He received the rudiments of knowledge from his paternal grandmother; and discovering a remarkable aptitude for learning, his father determined to afford him the advantages of a liberal education. He was sent to the parish school of Kirkton, and afterwards placed under the tutorship of a Cameronian clergyman, who was reputed as a scholar. In 1790, he entered the University of Edinburgh, where he soon acquired distinction for his classical attainments. His last session of college attendance was spent at St Andrews, where he became a tutor. By the Presbytery of St Andrews, in May 1798, he was licensed as a probationer of the Scottish Church. On obtaining his license, he returned to the capital, where his reputation as a scholar had secured him many friends. He now accepted the editorship of the Scots Magazine, to which he had formerly been a contributor, and otherwise employed himself in literary pursuits. In 1799, he published, in a duodecimo volume, "An Historical and Philosophical Sketch of the Discoveries and Settlements of the Europeans in Northern and Central Africa, at the Close of the Eighteenth Century." "The Complaynt of Scotland," a curious political treatise of the sixteenth century next appeared under his editorial care, with an ingenious introduction, and notes. In 1801, he contributed the ballad of "The Elf-king," to Lewis' "Tales of Wonder ;" and, about the same period, wrote several ballads for the "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border." The dissertation on "Fairy Superstition," in the second volume of the latter work, slightly altered by Scott, proceeded from his pen. In 1802, he edited a small volume, entitled, "Scottish Descriptive Poems," consisting of a new edition of Wilson's "Clyde," and a reprint of " Albania,”—a curious poem, in blank verse, by an anonymous writer of the beginning of the eighteenth century. A wide circle of influential friends were earnestly desirous of his promotion. In 1800, the opposition of the aged incumbent prevented his appointment as assistant and successor in the ministerial charge of his native parish. A proposal to appoint him Professor of Rhetoric in the University of Edinburgh also failed. He now resolved to proceed to Africa, to explore the interior, under the auspices of the African Association; but some of his friends meanwhile procured him an appointment as a surgeon in the East India Company's establishment at Madras. During his course at the University, he had attended some of the medical classes; and he now resumed "Anno 1775, September 8th, baptized a child to John Leyden, in Denholm, named John."-Register of Baptisms of Cavers Parish. A pencil entry following the father's name, describes the mother as "Isabel Scott." The precise day of the poet's birth is unknown. We have visited the spot. Not a vestige of the cottage remains. A wilder and more desolate locality hardly ever nourished the youthful imagination of a poet. the study of medicine, with such an amount of success, that in six weeks he qualified himself for a surgeon's diploma. About the same time, the degree of M.D. was conferred on him by the University of St Andrews. Before his departure for the East, Leyden finished his longest poem, the "Scenes of Infancy," the publication of which he entrusted to his friend, Dr Thomas Brown. His last winter in Britain he passed in London, enjoying the society of many distinguished men of letters, to whom he was introduced by his former friend, Mr Richard Heber. He sailed for India* on the 7th April 1803, and arrived at Madras on the 19th August. In Hindostan, his talents and extraordinary capabilities in forming an acquaintance with the native tongues gained him numerous friends. He was successively appointed surgeon to the commissioners for surveying the provinces in Mysore, recently conquered from Tippoo Sultan; professor of Hindostan in the College of Calcutta ; judge of the twenty-four pargunnahs of Calcutta ; a commissioner of the Court of Requests in Calcutta; and assay-master of the mint. His literary services being required by the Governor-General, he left Calcutta for Madras, and afterwards proceeded along with the army in the expedition against Java. On the capture of the town of Batavia, having gone to examine the library of the place, in which he expected to find some curious Indian MSS., he caught a malignant fever from the tainted air of the apartment. He survived only three days, terminating a life of much promise, on the 28th of August 1811, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. In John Leyden an unconquerable perseverance was united to remarkable native genius, and a memory of singular retentiveness. Eminent as a linguist, he was an able and accurate philologist; in a knowledge of the many languages of India he stood unrivalled. During his residence in the East he published a "Dissertation on the Languages and Literature of the Indo-Chinese Nations," in the tenth volume of the "Asiatic Researches," and he left numerous MSS. on subjects connected with oriental learning. He was early a votary of the Muse; and, in youth, was familiar with the older Scottish bards. In April 1795, he appeared in the Edinburgh Literary Magazine as author of an elegy "On the Death of a Sister;" and subsequently became a regular contributor of verses to the periodicals of the capital. His more esteemed poetical productions are the "Scenes of Infancy," and the ballads which he composed for the "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border." Of the latter, the supernatural machinery is singularly striking: in the former poem, much smooth and elegant versification is combined with powerful and vigorous description. There are, indeed, occasional repetitions and numerous digressions; but amidst these marks of hasty composition, every sentence bears evidence of a masculine intellect and powerful imagination. His lyrical effusions are pervaded with simplicity and tenderness. Like some other sons of genius, Leyden was of rather eccentric habits. He affected to despise artificial manners; and, though frequenting polished circles in Edinburgh, then in London, afterwards in Madras and Calcutta, he persevered in an indomitable aversion to the use of the English tongue, which he so well knew how to write with precision and power. He spoke the broadest provincial Scotch with singular pertinacity. His voice was extremely dissonant, but, seemingly unconscious of the defect, he talked loud; and if engaged in debate, raised his voice to a pitch which frequently proved more powerful than the strength of his argument. He was dogmatical in maintaining his opinions, and prone to monopolise conversation: his gesticulations were awkward and even offensive. Peculiar as were his habits, few of the distinguished persons who sought his acquaintance ever desired to renounce his * Leyden was assisted in his outfit for India by Sir Walter Scott and Sydney Smith, the latter contributing forty pounds. (See "Memoir of the Rev. Sydney Smith," by his daughter, Lady Holland, vol. i. p. 21. London: 1855. 2 vols. 8vo.) friendship. In his domestic habits he was temperate often to abstinence; he was frugal, but not mean-careful, but not penurious. He was generous towards his aged parents, was deeply imbued with a sense of religion, and was the foe of vice in every form. He was of a slight figure, and of middle stature; his countenance was peculiarly expressive of intelligence. His hair was auburn, his eyes dark, and his complexion clear and sanguine. He was considerably robust, and took delight in practising gymnastics; he desired fame, not less for feats of running and leaping, than in the sedate pursuits of literature. His premature death was the subject of general lamentation. In the "Lord of the Isles," Scott introduced the following stanza in tribute to his memory: "His bright and brief career is o'er, And mute his tuneful strains; Has Leyden's cold remains." Some years ago an elegant monument to the memory of the poet was erected, by public subscription, at Denholm, his native village. The last corrected edition of his poetical works was published at Kelso in 1858, under the editorial care of Mr Robert White. *Thomas Campbell was one of Leyden's early literary friends; they had quarrelled, but continued to respect each other's talents. The following anecdote is recorded by Sir Walter Scott in his diary: "When I repeated'Hohenlinden' to Leyden, he said, 'Dash it, man, tell the fellow that I hate him; but, dash him, he has written the finest verses that have been published these fifty years.' I did mine errand as faithful as one of Homer's messengers, and had for answer: 'Tell Leyden that I detest him, but I know the value of his critical approbation.""-Lockhart's Life of Scott. His fine locks are matted, no raiment has he, For the wood, save a girdle of bark from the tree; And of all his gay splendour you naught may behold, Save his bow and his quiver, and ear-rings of gold. Oh! we thought to have seen him in royal Before his proud squadrons his banners display, Faith fades from the age, nor can honour And fame is delusive, and glory is vain. TO AURELIA.* ONE kind kiss, my love, before That fancy may repeat, And whisper, 'mid the sighs of woe, Aurelia is supposed to have been Miss Janet Brown, sister of the afterwards celebrated Dr Thomas Brown. She is alluded to by Leyden in his "Scenes of Infancy." One dear embrace, and then we part We part to meet no more! I bear a sad and lonely heart To pine on India's shore. A heart that once has loved like mine, A heart that once has throbb'd with thine, JAMES SCADLOCK. JAMES SCADLOCK, a poet of considerable power, and an associate of Tannahill, was born at Paisley on the 7th October 1775. His father, an operative weaver, was a person of considerable shrewdness; and the poet M'Laren, who became his biographer, was his uterine brother. Apprenticed to the loom, he renounced weaving in the course of a year, and thereafter was employed in the establishment of a bookbinder. At the age of nineteen he entered on an indenture of seven years to a firm of copperplate engravers at Ferenize. He had early been inclined to verse-making, and, having formed the acquaintance of Tannahill, he was led to cultivate with ardour his native predilection. He likewise stimulated his ingenious friend to higher and more ambitious efforts in poetry. Accomplished in the elegant arts of drawing and painting, Scadlock began the study of classical literature and the modern languages. A general stagnation of trade, which threw him out of employment, checked his aspirations in learning. After an interval, attended with some privations, he heard of a professional opening at Perth, which he proceeded to occupy. He returned to Paisley, after the absence of one year; and, having married in 1808, his attention became more concentrated in domestic concerns. He died of fever on the 4th July 1818, leaving a family of four children. Scadlock was an upright member of society, a sincere friend, a benevolent neighbour, and an intelligent companion. In the performance of his religious duties he was regular and exemplary. Desirous of excelling in conversation, he was prone to evince an undue formality of expression. His poetry, occasionally deficient in power, is uniformly distinguished for smoothness of versification. ALONG BY LEVERN STREAM SO ALONG by Levern stream so clear, I'll wander with my Mary, When absent from my Mary. I'll sit with little Mary, Where fragrant flowers around are spread, She's mild's the sun through April shower * Set to music by R. A. Smith. Should fickle fortune frown on me, HARK, HARK, THE SKYLARK SINGING. HARK, hark, the skylark singing, See, see the ruddy morning, With his blushing locks adorning Mountain, wood, and vale; |