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Poetry.

TO AN HONEST SUTER,

BUT VERY BAD POET.

A Hint to Modern Versifiers.

Nor think that what I friendly write
is penn'd wi' critic spleen or spite,
Shame fa' the wit that can excite
A single pang!

SINCE times are changed, and folk grown My wish is just to cure the bite

nice,

Tak, Gy, a friend's advice,
Gi' Rhiming owre, gin ye be wise,
For there's my lug,
If it will pay the printing price,
It's sic a drug.

Yet a' our Rhymsters firmly think,
That if line-ends but aptly clink,
They're bards o' fame. When crown'd wi'
ink,

Lord! how Pride kittles!

But let me tell ye in a blink,

They're blind as beetles!

He that attempts poetic art,
Should hae a bead, and eke a heart,
A Fancy boundless, that can dart

Frae earth to heaven;
And Passions that can warm impart
What Nature's given.

And yet wi' thae, (and they're right rare!)
A Poet, trust me! man hae mair;
A Judgement clear, wi' walth o' Lear,
And wit at will,

To scan, examine, and compare

Wi' critic skill.

A Taste to polish and refine

Ilk towering thought and magic line,
A Mind, where nameless powers combine
To form and plan

A chaste-connected bold design.-
That is the man!

Now, Gy, I fain wou'd ask
How mony's fitted for the task?
How mony think ye's born to bask
In this warm sun?-
Nine-tenths are but a sounding cask
Wha's liquor's rua!
Be warn'd, then!-check this thriftless
strain !

Twill wear ye, man! to skin and bane!
And after a', what will ye gain?

Just deel be lickit!

Mool in wi' Booksellers, and then
Ye're surely trickit.

Yet if ye rhyme to please yoursel,
Wi' a' my heart!-'tis but a bell
To tinkel, whan ye canna mell

In conversation;-
But print na!--for it winna sell,

There's the damnation!

O' madd'ning fang.

For, wha can see without a sigh, Year after year, a swarming fry, Desert their parent streams, and try To glide in air.

As fast they fa', and fa`ing, lie,

To rise nae mair!

For you, wha, nae doubt, at the school, Learn'd wi' the lave ilk Latin rule, Whan rhymes provoke, wi' reason cool, Remember aye nec trepidum Ane, that when Youth's warm dreams are

past,

Should bind ilk raging rhymster fast,
Firm as neat's leather to the last,

"NE SUTOR ULTRA CREPIDAM."

H. M.

THE GUARDIAN ANGEL". By the Ettrick Shepherd. THE dawning was mild, and the hamlet was wild,

For it stood by an untrodden shore of

the main,

When Duncan was rais'd from his slumber,

amaz'd,

By a voice at his door, that did shortly complain.

This story

Rise,

is founded on a fact: and there is likewise another much similar to it, which happened at a sequestered steading in the south of Scotland, and is so well attested by persons yet living, that I neither can nor wish to misbelieve it. One fine evening, before sun-set, a girl of the family came running, and told them, that the finest lady that ever was seen in the world was coming straight to the house. With that, the whole family, small and great. came to the door to see this wonderful woman, and they all saw her come into a deep hollow place, not far from the door, and, at that instant, the whole house fell in with a terrible crash, gable and all; so that had it not been for this phenomenon, a respectable and industrious family had been, each one, crushed to death. The lady was no more seen. This happened at Glentress, in the parish of Innerleithen, and county of Peebles,

"Rise! Duncan! I perish."-His bosom

was fired,

By feelings, no language nor pen can convey!

'Twas a voice he had heard, and with rapture admired,

Ere fatal Culloden had forc'd him away.

He flew to the rock that o'ershadow'd his cot,

And wistfully look'd where his vision could reach;

He shouted; but only the echoes about Him answer'd, and billows that rush'd on the beach.

For the winds were at rest, but the ocean distress'd,

Still heav'd like an earthquake, and broke on the shore;

The mist settled high on the mountains of Sky;

And the wild howling storm ruffled Na

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The frost of the morning lay crisped and grey.

Her bright eye was set; but her pulse slowly beat :

"O, Father of mercies! look down on my woe:

"Oh save my sweet wife! and the whole of my life

My heart, for the gift, shall with gratitude glow.

"Alas, my Matilda! what brought you a strolling,

"O'er Morven's dark mountains, so rugged and high? "When tempests were howling, and torrents were rolling?

"Was't love for thy husband! and here must thou die!"

By care and attention she slowly recovers, And finds herself lock'd in her husband's embrace :

But, reader, if ever thou hast been a lover, Thy heart will outgo me, and furnish

this space.

She said, she had heard of his lonely retreat, And had come from the vale ere the tempest had lower'd;

That the snow and the sleet had benumb'd her weak feet,

And, by hunger and cold, she was quite overpower'd.

For her way she had lost, and the torrents she cross'd

Had often nigh borne her away to the main ;

But the night coming on, she had laid herself down,

And pray'd to her Maker, nor pray'd she in vain.

That she once was to Morven's rough mountains no stranger:

And wish'd to surprise him with news from the throne,

Where an act of oblivion had freed him from danger,

And Asby's fair mountains again were his own.

Then blest be the day, when, to mercy returning,

So many brave men they from exile recall; 'Twill quell the revenge in our bosoms aburning;

And bind Caledonia firmest of all.

But did you not call at this cottage so early, When morning's pale streamers scarce

1

crested the fell?

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Then say, my Matilda, did you not pass bye me?

I'm really impatient this mystery to sound."

"There where I was found, I was never more nigh thee:

Where I dropt, overcome by toil, famine, and grief,

Same pitying angel, then hovering by me,

Has taken my voice to procure me relief." Then down they both bow'd, and most solemnly vow'd,

To their great Benefactor, his goodness to mind,

Each evening and morning unto them returning;

And well they perform'd the engage. ment we find.

They both now are cold: but the tale they

have told

To many, while Gratitude's tears fell in

store.

And whenever I pass by the bonny Glenasby, I mind the adventure on Morven's lone

shore.

THE

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won,

A monarch was slain, and a kingdom undone; Yet a feast was prepar'd to rejoice at their doom,

Which bards have extoll'd'o'er humanity's tomb.

And why should a banquet then not be commended,

With joy that began, and with happiness ended?

A custom prevails, and I hope will prevail While earth yields us barley, and barley brown ale,

To devote, when the harvest is over, a night To drinking and dancing, and mirth and delight.

Perhaps Pride would frown, Affectation would sneer,

Were I to relate all the characters there; As no country's ruin occasioned this feast, Of course, no proud Tyrant was there as a guest;

No dull-looking belles, and, of course, no fine beaux,

Were there to exhibit their capers and clothes;

But fresh country lasses, all blooming and gay,

Like lilies in April, or roses in May.
If no affectation appeared in each face,
Yet graceful simplicity fill'd up its place;
In dress, tho' devoid of that gaudy attire,
Which fops only wear, and fools only admire;
They were modest, neat, handsome:-what
more need be said?
Deformity only needs ornament's aid.

The lads were all manly, stout, active, and clean,

Without either fopp'ry, ennui, or spleen; Tho' rustic their garb, they were sprightly and trim,

Health grac'd ev'ry visage, strength nerv'd ev'ry limb.

Long may Caledonia behold on her plains Such beautiful lasses and innocent swains! Besides these, were matrons, and children, and wives,

As happy as ever they were in their lives; And hearty old carles, right merrily joking Their old fashion'd puns, and carousing

and smoking.

How blithely they witness'd the young people ranting,

And talk'd of the days when they were as wanton!

The fiddle strikes up; hark! the dancing's begun,

The room in a moment resounds with the fun No Minuets, Cotillions, or Horn-pipes, they dance;

Those butter-fly airs-the productions

France;

But with brisk country dances, and reels or they go,

Each lad with his sweet-heart, each lass with her joe.

What heart would not swell with high transports of bliss

At beholding a scene so delightful as this? All, all were rejoicing, but who can declare How blithe Peggy look'd, when in stepp'd Andrew Kerr ?

How Nancy's face brighten'd, tho' smiling before,

When her fav'rite Tom Easton appear'dat the door?

And how Watty Scott quite forgot all at once, When Martha came in, both to run and to dance?

But Cecy and Jock soon withdrew from the noise

To taste in a corner some quieter joys. Next toddy and cakes in succession ge round,'

And whisky, that makes ev'ry heart to rebound;

And now when the fiddlerhaseagerly quaff'd, Of whisky, a deep, and a heart-cheering

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But all the night long, unanimity reign'd, By happiness heighten'd, by friendship maintain'd.

As no gay flutt'ring toasts to this feast had been wafted,

No necklace was envied, no head-dress was laughed at.

No whisp'rings were there to detract or defame,

But where'er they were heard, love was always the theme.

No moments were wasted in yawning or fretting,

Like those who are daily and nightly co quetting.

But the time flew so sweet and insensibly on, That the clock had struck four ere they thought it was one;

Then each lad woo'd his lass home, and bade her good night,

And all went to bed, overjoy'd with delight. Banks of the Jed.

W. E. PRO

Proceedings of Parliament.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Wednesday, May 18.

LOCAL MILITIA.

LORD Castlereagh moved the order of the day for the House resolving itself into a Committee on the Local Militia bill. In the discussion upon the clause which determines the ages between which individuals are liable to the ballot,

Sir J. Hall thought that the period of 18 was the fittest time for young men to commence military service, and that every year after that they became less and less fit. He was of opinion, that if the ballot were confined to young men between the ages 18 and 19, a sufficient number would be found to answer the purposes required, without carrying the ballot to men of more advanced years. He thought the age of 35 much too far advanced.

Lord Castlereagh admitted, that in some Counties the principle of the Hon. Baronet might answer, and produce even more men than were wanted for the particular dis trict, but in many others it would not at all produce the number required, and the age must therefore be extended.

Sir James Montgomery thought that carrying the ballot so high as 35 years of age would be extremely oppressive to numbers of poor men, with large families depending on their industry. He therefore suggested an exception in favour of men having more than three children; and he also thought the hardship much greater on men past 30 than before, more especially where a poor shopkeeper, or any man settled in life, of small capital, whose income does not exceed 1001. a-year, must, in this case, be driven to the necessity of serving, to the ruin of his business, or paying a fine equal to 1-5th of his income, besides his liability to the income tax, which was already intolerable.

Lord Castlereagh said, he had no objection to accede to this amendment, and substitute the age of 30 in place of 35, the service to commence from the age of 18, provided it was agreed to extend the period of volunteer services to 40 years of age, The proposition was agreed to, and the amendment made accordingly.

On the clause respecting the oath proposed to be taken by medical men, respecting the physical fitness of persons enrolled,

Oct. 1808.

Mr Whithread objected to the clause, as did Mr Windham and Mr Vansittart. After a few words from Mr Spencer Stanhope and Lord Castlereagh, it was agreed to substitute for the oath such certificate as might appear satisfactory to the Deputy Lieutenants of counties."

Sir J. Cox Hippesley proposed to exempt, as well as the resident members of either university, those who are intended for holy orders at Eton, Westminster, and other public schools; also, professors, teachers, &c. in academies-He offered a precise motion on the subject; but

Lord Castlereagh considered the exemption as too extensive and indefinite, and as tending to open a wide door to abuse.

After some observations, the amendment was negatived without a division.

Mr Windham made a variety of remarks on the inequality with which the proposed scale of fines would operate. Thirty pounds might be no inducement to one man to enter, while 101. would leave no option to another. He considered it as merely calculated to raise money, and that in an unconstitutional way.

Mr Wynne adverted to the words in the same clause, that no "poor man who has more than one child" should be exempted from this service, though exempt from the regular militia; and proposed, in order to make the thing more precise and intelligible, to leave out the words" more than one child," and substitute "less than three children." This was agreed to-so that poor men with three or more children are exempt from the local militia.

Thursday, May 19. DISTILLERIES.

Lord Binning rose, to make his promised motion respecting the report of the Sugar Committee; there were others more competent to elucidate the question; but he should not shrink from his duty, whatever might be his ultimate success. The subject which the Committee had in view, was to afford relief to the West India planter; but in the course of their investigation, they found it necessary to make a minute inquiry into all the circumstances which would encroach on the interests of the landholders of this country, and under all circumstances, they thought the former required an immediate relief; but they also

came

came to the knowledge of facts, which es tablished the wisdom and necessity of the restriction, exclusive of all consideration whatsoever of the interests of the West India islands. They found, in the course of their investigation, that the harvest of last year was more than usually deficient; and the consumption of the distilleries exceeded 479 000 quarters of grain; but the present situation of Europe left little hope of importing the constant deficiency of consumption, amounting, on an average, to 777,000 quarters. With these conclusive facts before the Committee, they apprehended a scarcity; and to obviate that, they recommended, if found expedient, to put a stop to the distillation from grain, and substitute sugar for a given period; but in case of an abundant harvest, sufficient authority should be vested in the Crown to do away the restriction. He was well aware that one class of men should not be relieved to the injury of others; but it was an urgent case, and the landholders would not, by any means, suffer, though distillers were prohibited from using grain. To shew they were warranted in this conclusion, he read the evidence of Mr Arthur Young, Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, and Mr Cropper, of Liverpool. The latter stated, the present stock on hand did not exceed 50,000 quarters of wheat. Many more witnesses, who had been examined, proved that the last harvest was extremely deficient in England and Scotland; and when it was considered, that we were prevented from importing the usual supply of grain, it became a measure of precaution to put a stop to its consumption in distilleries. It has been urged, that, by adopting this measure, it would discourage the cultivation of barley: but that, he maintained, was impossible, as long as there would be a demand for it independent of this, it has lately risen from 46s. to 50s, and the small quantity on hand would always keep up the price. In the north of Scotland, where that article was consumed in bread, it was so scarce that the people apprehended a famine, and had been for months past in great want; for the truth of which he would appeal to the Hon. Baronet opposite (Sir John Sinclair.) Should the House think it expedient to receive the report, and resolve itself into a Committee to consider it, he had only two resolutions to submit, namely, that all kinds of grain be prohibited from being distilled from the 1st of July to the 1st of October; and that it might be lawful for his Majes ty, after the 1st of September, to discontinue the restriction if found expedient; if otherwise, to continue it till 5 days after

the meeting of Parliament; and in the Committee he would propose the reduction of the duty on sugar-wash. The situation of the West India planters was extremely painful; many of them had been reduced from affluence to want, which could not be attributed to wild speculation, but to the present political situation of Europe. He concluded by moving that the report he referred to a Committee of the whole House.

Mr T. Coke said, the Noble Lord must have a strange idea of the landed interest, if he imagined they contended for the high price of corn-(No! No from the Ministerial side)—then, if that was not the case, he was sure his Lord

ship must be very far misled in the quotation he had given of the price of corn, for within the last fortnight, it did not exceed 40s. in the county of Norfolk; but if it had risen in other counties, be was convinced it was owing to the alarm given by the proceedings of the Committee of Inquiry. He was glad to find that no grain had been imported into this country since the month of September, which was a strong proof that we did not stand in need of foreign aid. The markets had ever since been well supplied at moderate prices; but the imported grain always lay in the hands of speculators, who were constantly the instruments of enhancing the price. If he was rightly informed, the situation of the planters was not so bad as bad been represented. At present there was a demand for sugar, and it rose 6s, in the cwt.; but though it was in so great 3bundance, the public could not get it a farthing cheaper than when there was a scarcity. The landed interest had complaints also, in being heavily taxed, yet not a murmur escaped them.

Sir John Sinclair said, that he had been so pointedly alluded to by the Noble Lord, that it became necessary for him House. He considered the grounds stato trespass on the indulgence of the ted by the Noble Lord as different from those of the report, and felt it his duty to oppose doctrines which appeared to him so hostile to the landed interest. He knew that there was unfortunately a great scarcity in Scotland at the present moment, and no man regretted it more than he did; but he came int that House, not as the representative merely of one particular district, but as

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