Facts and Fancies from the Farm. Lyrical Poems. By James-
Dawson, Jun. (Hotten.)—We suppose that Mr. Dawson, when he says. in his preface that "he is a labourer on a farm," is using a certain latitude of expression. We commonly understand by that term a man who works for a weekly hire of from nine to fourteen shillings. If the writer of these verses is in that position he must be a remarkable man ;. if, as we imagine to be the case, he "labours on a farm," that is, is a farmer or a farmer's son, the wonder becomes proportionably less. It would, in most cases, be an impertinence to speculate about a writer's social position ; but if the plea is put forward, as it is here, we have a right to know its precise force. The fact is that the value of the poems is relative, depending almost entirely upon the opportunities of cultiva- tion which the writer may have had. The best verses that we can find in the book are those from the piece called "Parting ":- "0 wandering winds! sigh through the se bowers,
And make your ev'ry sigh so well Resemble mine, he cannot tell Between them, taking all for yours.
"And should I breathe—I am so weak— My sorrow, swell around, above, With such sweet whisperings of love, He shall mistake the words I speak.
"I mourn so much that he should go; And yet I feel in doing this That hour by hour I do amiss ;
My thoughts cry out and tell me so— "My thoughts that will not let me rest, Which wander thro' the future years, And slow returning, drenched with tears, Bring but sad tidings h.q., at best."
Previous page
