only poet with whom, for tenderness and pathos, Motherwell can be compared. The elder bard has written much more largely, is more various, more fiery, more abundant ; but I doubt if there be in the whole of his collection anything so exquisitely finished, so free from a line too many, or a word out of place, as the two great ballads of Motherwell. And let young writers observe that this finish was the result, not of a curious felicity, but of the nicest elaboration. By touching and re-touching, during many years, did 'Jeanie Morrison' attain her perfection, and yet how completely has art concealed art! How entirely does that charming song appear like an inexpressible gush of feeling that would find vent. In 'My heid is like to rend, Willie,' the appearance of spontaneity is still more striking, as the passion is more intense-intense, indeed, almost to painfulness." About the same time, his friend, Andrew Henderson, published his well-known collection of Scottish Proverbs, to which Motherwell contributed an introductory treatise, which showed him to be extensively read in Scottish proverbial antiquities, and is, besides, a piece of eloquent and vigorous composition. In the year 1835, in conjunction with the Ettrick Shepherd, he edited an edition of the works of Burns, to which he contributed the principal part of the biography, with copious notes. The edition, however, never became popular, chiefly owing to the absence of good taste and sound judgment in his brother editor. Motherwell was, about this time, connected with a literary periodical published in Glasgow, with the euphonious title of The Day. To this publication he contributed various excellent papers, and some rich poetical pieces. His Adventures of Bailie Pirnie, a Paisley dignitary, exhibit great power of humour and playful fancy. In 1846 a second edition of his poems was published by Mr. Robertson, with a memoir of his life by Dr. M'Conechy of Glasgow, containing twenty additional poems; and in 1849 a third edition was issued, and which contained no less than sixty-eight pieces never before published. So it may now be considered that the best fruits of Motherwell's genius have been carefully selected and set before the public. The selection of these additional pieces was entrusted chiefly to the poet's personal friends, Dr. M'Conechy and Mr. William Kennedy. In the third edition the following beautiful and touching poetical tribute to his memory by Mr. Kennedy most appropriately closes the volume : Place we a stone at his head and his feet; Ever approvingly, Ever most lovingly, Turned he to nature, a worshipper meet. Harm not the thorn which grows at his head; For he felt thrillingly To rest his poor heart 'mong the low-lying dead. Dearer to him than the deep Minster bell, Plaining this roundelay, Might his own fate from a brother's foretell. Worldly ones treading this terrace of graves, When o'er the snow-mound the winter blast raves— Though all unnotedly, Flow from their spring, in the soul's silent caves. Dreamers of noble thoughts raise him a shrine, Where spirits hovering, Chaunt for his requiem, music divine. Not as a record he lacketh a stone ! Pay a light debt to the singer we've known- That we are cherishing Feelings akin to our lost poet's own. "the As a poet, Motherwell was perhaps deficient in that robust vigour of opinion necessary for long and sustained flights. His muse had not the majestic pace, or long-resounding line," of the higher class of poets. But in the utterances of the heart, borne up and sustained by a sweet-toned fancy-in natural gushes of feeling—and in a rich mental and poetical sympathy with the sights and sounds of living nature, few have risen to an equal pathos, and a descriptive beauty more touching and telling. Such pieces as, "In the quiet and solemn night," "The midnight wind," "The water, the water," "The solemn song of a righteous heart," "A solemn conceit," etc., possess a generic character, and are especially imbued with a pensive and querulous melancholy, and a pathetic quaintness of expression, strikingly original. It is as if the shadow of his early fate had fallen at times on the soul of the poet, and touched a chord in his muse, attuned to finer issues and higher inspirations than ordinary. In another and very different style of composition he has produced various pieces of great beauty and elegance of thought and expression. In light and graceful vers de société, sparkling with sentiment, and richly inlaid with the gems of a playful fancy, such pieces as, "The serenade," "Could love impart,' ," "Love's diet," are perfect bijoux of their kind, and dazzle the imagination with their brilliant affluence and concentrated elegance of thought. His Norse songs of war and chivalry possess a wild, bold bearing and character, which have made them much admired. Various of his imitations, too, of the olden ballad are beautifully executed, and breathe the free, wild spirit of the greenwood, and tell pathetically of the agonies of young hearts that "loved not wisely, but too well." Such was the poet-let us briefly consider the man. In general society Motherwell was reserved; but with his intimate friends he let himself out freely into the whim or enjoyment of the hour. Amongst his intimate associates were John D. Carrick, Andrew Henderson, and John Howie, all of whom have passed away, like himself, from this mortal scene. In company with these and other select friends his natural reserve gave place to a rich enjoyment of the sly quips and drolleries of the first of these, or the more boisterous and explosive humours of the second; and we ourselves have enjoyed, more than once, the company of these three rich-minded, but oddly-paired men, in a well-known tavern in the Trongate the Swan with Two Necks-which was their favourite resort. In this cosy howf we have listened with delight to the delicious chirping of these congenial souls, when they had washed their eyes in a tumbler or two, and were hitting right and left in the unrestrained glee and social abandonment of mirth and good fellowship. They are all gone, and so are some others who were members of that brilliant brotherhood which once graced and enriched our city; but there still linger in many a heart pleasing though mournful reminiscences, which cluster around their rich memories, associated as they now are with the name and fame of William Motherwell. EDWARD PINKERTON. EDWARD PINKERTON was a son of the Rev. Mr. Pinkerton, minister of what was then called the Relief Church, in Campbelton, Argyleshire, and dates his birth December 1798. He was sent, in due time, to the High School, Edinburgh, to receive the elements of a classical education; and he afterwards matriculated in the Glasgow University. The celebrated Professor Sandford, of the Glasgow University, was a fellow-student with Mr. Pinkerton, and their standing in the class, under Dr. Pillans, was nearly on a par. He afterwards joined the medical classes, and obtained his diploma in 1817. His youthful appearance, it was considered, might militate against his obtaining that confidence so necessary in the treatment of the varied maladies to which frail man is subjected; and he did not consider it prudent to enter into public practice, but took charge, meantime, of a subscription school in his native town, Campbelton. He afterwards taught the classical department of a boarding-school at Galashiels. He obtained the appointment of assistant surgeon in the Royal Navy in 1825, in H.M.S. " 'Warspite," under command of Commodore Brisbane. The "Warspite " was ordered to India, and returned to this country in 1827, after performing a voyage round the world. Mr. Pinkerton had suffered a severe shock of paralysis, and was laid up in Chelsea Hospital; but his intellect was unimpaired by the attack, though his frame was so shaken that he was unable to return to public duty, and he retired on Government allowance. Mr. Pinkerton came to reside in Glasgow amongst his friends, and was almost a daily visitor, as long as he was able, at the levées of wit and humour in the shop of our publisher. He died in 1844. The pieces contributed by him to this work have his name attached. No one at all competent to judge of lyric compositions will fail to see in them no ordinary ability. He published, in 1832, a small volume of poetry, entitled "The Propontis," which was well received by the public. Mr. Pinkerton occupied his time between literary pursuits and giving instructions in Greek to students attending the University. He was considered a very excellent scholar-few, indeed, surpassed him in the knowledge of this elegant language, and he appeared sometimes a little vain of this acquisition. |