U

Oh! when will the exile return?
Oh! when will the exile return?
When our hearts heave no sigh,
When our tears shall be dry,

When Erin no longer shall mourn;

When his name we disown,
When his mem'ry is gone-
Oh! then will the exile return!

ALEXANDER CARLILE,

ALEXANDER CARLILE was born at Paisley in the year 1788. His progenitors were remarkable for their acquaintance with the arts, and relish for elegant literature. His eldest brother, the late Dr Carlile of Dublin, attained much eminence as a profound thinker and an accomplished theologian. Having received a liberal education, first at the grammar-school of Paisley, and afterwards in the University of Glasgow, the subject of this sketch settled as a manufacturer in his native town. Apart from the avocations of business, much of his time was devoted to the concerns of literature; he contributed to various periodicals, and composed verses for several works on the national minstrelsy. At an early period he wrote the spirited and popular song, beginning "Oh, wha's at the window, wha, wha?" which has since obtained a place in all the collections. His only separate publication, a duodecimo volume of "Poems," appeared in 1855. Mr Carlile was much devoted to the interests of his native town, and sedulously endeavoured to promote the moral and social welfare of his fellowtownsmen. He died at Paisley on the 4th August 1860.

WHA'S AT THE WINDOW?*
Он, wha's at the window, wha, wha?
Oh, wha's at the window, wha, wha?
Wha but blythe Jamie Glen,
He's come sax miles and ten,
To tak' bonnie Jeannie awa, awa,
To tak' bonnie Jeannie awa.

He has plighted his troth, and a', and a',
Leal love to gi'e, and a', and a',

And sae has she dune,

By a' that's abune,

For he lo'es her, she lo'es him, 'bune a', 'bune 'a,
He lo'es her, she lo'es him, 'bune a'.

Bridal-maidens are braw, braw,
Bridal-maidens are braw, braw,

But the bride's modest ee,
And warm cheek are to me
'Bune pearlins, and brooches, and a', and a',
'Bune pearlins, and brooches, and a'.

It's mirth on the green, in the ha', the ha',
It's mirth on the green, in the ha', the ha';
There's quaffing and laughing,
There's dancing and daffing,
And the bride's father's blythest of a', of a',
The bride's father's blythest of a'.

THOMAS LYLE was born at Paisley in 1792. Attending the philosophical and medical classes in the University of Glasgow, he obtained the diploma of surgeon in the year 1816. He commenced medical practice in Glasgow, where he remained till 1826, when he removed to Airth, Stirlingshire. The latter locality afforded him abundant opportunities for prosecuting his favourite study of botany; and he frequently proceeded at early dawn to great distances in quest of curious or rare plants, so as to gratify his peculiar tastes without interfering with the duties of his profession. At an earlier period of life, having cherished a love for the ancient national music, he was in the habit of collecting and noting such of the older airs as were rapidly passing into oblivion. He was particularly struck with one of these airs, which he deemed worthy of more suitable words than those to which it was commonly sung.* At this period he often resorted, in his botanical rambles, to the wooded and sequestered banks of the Kelvin, about two miles north-west of Glasgow; and in consequence he was led to compose for his favourite tune the words of his beautiful song, "Kelvin Grove." "The Harp of Renfrewshire" was now in the course of being published, in numbers, under the editorship of his college friend and professional brother, John Sim, and to this work he contributed his new song. In a future number of the work, the song appeared without his name, as was requested, but with some unauthorised alterations. Of these he complained to Mr Sim, who laid the blame on Mr John Murdoch, who had succeeded him in the editorship, and Mr Lyle did not further prosecute inquiry on the subject. On the retirement of Mr Murdoch, the editorship of "The Harp of Renfrewshire" was intrusted to the poet Motherwell, who incautiously ascribed the song to Mr Sim in the index of the work. Sim died in the West Indies before this period; and, in the belief that the song had been composed by him, Mr Purdie, music-seller in Edinburgh, made purchase of the copyright from his representatives, and published the words, with music arranged for the piano by Robert Archibald Smith. Mr Lyle now asserted his title to the authorship, and on Mr Sim's letter regarding the alterations being submitted to Messrs Motherwell and Smith, a decision in favour of his claim was pronounced by these gentlemen. Mr Lyle was shortly after invited by Mr Smith to contribute songs for the "Irish Minstrel," one of his numerous musical publications.

In 1827 Mr Lyle published the results of his researches into the song literature of his country in a duodecimo volume, entitled "Ancient Ballads and Songs, chiefly from Tradition, Manuscripts, and scarce Works, with Biographical and Illustrative Notices." Of this work, the more interesting portion consists of "Miscellaneous The former words to this air commenced, "Oh! the shearing's no for you, bonnie lassie, O!" † See article "John Sim," ante.

Poems, by Sir William Mure, Knight of Rowallan," together with several songs of various merit by the editor.

Having acted as medical practitioner at Airth during the period of twenty-eight years, Mr Lyle, in the close of 1853, returned to Glasgow, where he actively prosecuted the duties of his profession. His death took place in Glasgow, on the 19th April 1859.

KELVIN GROVE.

LET us haste to Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O!
Through its mazes let us rove, bonnie lassie, O!
Where the rose in all her pride,
Paints the hollow dingle side,

Where the midnight fairies glide, bonnie
lassie O!

Let us wander by the mill, bonnie lassie, O!
To the cove beside the rill, bonnie lassie, O!
Where the glens rebound the call
Of the roaring water's fall,
Through the mountain's rocky hall, bonnie
lassie O!

O Kelvin banks are fair, bonnie lassie, O!
When in summer we are there, bonnie lassie, O!
There the May pink's crimson plume
Throws a soft but sweet perfume
Round the yellow banks of broom, bonnie
lassie, O!

Though I dare not call thee mine, bonnie
lassie O!

As the smile of fortune's thine, bonnie lassie, O!

Yet with fortune on my side,

I could stay thy father's pride,
And win thee for my bride, bonnie lassie, O!

But the frowns of fortune lower, bonnie
lassie, O!

On thy lover at this hour, bonnie lassie, O!
Ere yon golden orb of day

Wake the warblers on the spray,

From this land I must away, bonnie lassie, O!

Then farewell to Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O!
And adieu to all I love, bonnie lassie, O!
To the river winding clear,

To the fragrant-scented breer,
Even to thee of all most dear, bonnie lassie, O!

When upon a foreign shore, bonnie lassie, O! Should I fall midst battle's roar, bonnie lassie, O!

Then, Helen! shouldst thou hear

Of thy lover on his bier,

To his memory shed a tear, bonnie lassie, O!

JAMES HOME.

JAMES HOME was born in 1804, on the farm of Hollybush, about a mile south of Galashiels. During a period of about thirty years, he was employed in the humble capacity of a dry-stone mason in Peebleshire. He ultimately received the office of postmaster at Rachan Mill in his native county.

Home did not venture on a publication, and latterly abandoned the composition of verses. In youth he was, writes a correspondent, "an enthusiast in love, music, and poetry." A number of his songs and poetical pieces, which he had addressed to friends, have long been popular in the south of Scotland. His song entitled "This Lassie o' Mine" has enjoyed an uncommon measure of general favour. His compositions are replete with pathos; he has skilfully told the lover's tale; and has most truthfully depicted the joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, of human life. Some of his best pieces appear in the "Unknown Poets" of Mr Alexander Campbell,—a work which only reached a single number. Of mild dispositions, modest manners, and industrious habits, Home was much respected in private life. He died at Rachan Mill, on the 27th September 1868.