HENRY GEORGE AT INVERNESS. DEAN OF GUILD MACKENZIE, anticipating that his position and remarks, as chairman at Mr Henry George's recent lecture in Inverness, would be misrepresented by interested parties, took the precaution to secure a verbatim report of what he said from two professional reporters. In the circumstances, he thinks it best that this report should be placed at the disposal of the readers of the Celtic Magazine. Mr Henry George's views are already before the public; and it is to be hoped that the action of the Highland proprietors will be wisely guided in such a direction as will make the adoption by the people of such extreme remedies as he purposes, not only impossible, but quite unnecessary. Introducing the Lecturer, Mr Mackenzie said : Gentlemen, I have been pressed to take the chair. (Cheers.) Highlanders were always celebrated for their hospitality-(applause)—they have always shown the greatest courtesy and civility to strangers coming amongst them. (Applause.) I am satisfied that I need not ask an Inverness audience—the men of the Capital of the Highlands — to extend these characteristics of the race to the gentleman who is about to address us. Mr George is a gentleman who has the distinguished honour of having been highly abused by almost everybody—at any rate, on one side of the house—from the Marquis of Salisbury down to the lowest rag of newspaper in the country. (Applause and hisses.) But abuse is not confined to that side; we have had abuse from very distinguished gentlemen on the other side. (Hear, hear.) I think it may fairly be assumed that when a gentleman--whoever he may be- succeeds in bringing upon himself the abuse of such great men, and such a large number of them, it is unmistakeable proof that he is distinguished, and is doing some good. (Applause.) A man, of whose book, "Progress and Poverty," a quarter of a million has been sold in about a year-a number of any book, I believe, almost unprecedented in Great Britain(Hear, hear, and cheers)-must be a man worth listening to, whether we agree with him or not. (Cheers.) It is possible that Mr Henry George is an extreme man on one side of the house, and we have gentlemen of extreme opinions on the other side; but here (pointing to himself) is the happy medium for you. (Applause, laughter, and hisses.) I beg to introduce to you Mr Henry George. (Loud cheers, and slight hisses.) In moving a vote of thanks, the Chairman said Gentlemen, I think that you will all agree that we have just listened to a very powerful and interesting address. (Cheers and hear.) I am quite sure that whatever our opinions may be, we will all admit that the address was interesting, and calculated to lead to thoughtfulness on the question discussed. There are many here who possibly came to be instructed; others, as they thought, to be amused. (Laughter.) Perhaps the lecturer has not converted the whole of us. (Laughter.) [Mr GeorgeI hope you will convert yourselves.] (Cheers.) Mr Mackenzie-But at any rate, ladies and gentlemen-for I am glad to see a few ladies present- (cheers)-I think 66 THE ENGLISH POETICAL WORKS OF EVAN MACCOLL, Author of 'Clarsach nam Beann," with a Biographical Sketch of the Author, by A. MACKENZIE, F.S.A., Scot. Toronto Rose & Co. Edinburgh: Maclachlan and Stewart, Inverness: A. & W. Mackenzie. HIGHLANDERS have so long been familiar with the name of Evan MacColl, “the Lochfyne Bard," that it will, no doubt, create surprise in the minds of many readers to be informed that this is a complete collection of his English poems, issued under the imprimatur and the careful revision of the veteran poet himself, who still, in his seventysixth year, we are pleased to say, enjoys the "gloaming of life" in happy content in the bosom of his family in the great Dominion of Canada. It is interesting to note that Mr MacColl is the only member now living of that galaxy of Gaelic poets whose productions found a place in John Mackenzie's great and excellent collection of Gaelic poetry, "Sar Obair nam Bard Gaidhealach." The compiler of that work very highly appreciated the poetic gifts of our author, and, speaking of his compositions, pays him the following high tribute, to which we subscribe our hearty amen :— "MacColl ranks very high as a poet. His English pieces, which are out of our way, possess great merit. His Gaelic productions are chiefly amorous, and indicate a mind of the most tender sensibilities and refined taste. The three poems annexed to this notice are of a very superior order; one of them comes under that denomination of poetry called pastoral or descriptive, and evinces powers of delineation, a felicity of conception, and a freshness of ideality not equalled in modern times. The second is an elegiac piece, before whose silver, mellifluent tones we melt away, and are glad to enjoy the luxury of tears with the weeping Muse. The love ditty is a natural gush of youthful affection, better calculated to show us the aspirations of the heart than the most elaborate productions of art. MacColl imitates no poet, he has found enough in Nature to instruct him-he moves majestically in a hitherto untraversed path; and, if we are not continually in rapture with him, we never tire-never think long in his company. But we are reminded that praise bestowed on a living author subjects us to the imputation of flattery-long may it be ere Evan MacColl is the subject of any posthumous meed of laudation from us!" The panegyrist in this extract dismisses the English pieces as being "out of his way," but in the work before us now it is the English productions of Mr MacColl alone that are in our way, and we could scarcely express our opinion of them in more appropriate terms than the talented and tasteful editor of the "Beauties" applied to the Gaelic poems which evoked his enthusiastic admiration. In saying this, we do not wish to imply that all the pieces found in this collection are up to the high standard which Mr MacColl has fixed for himself, and which he so frequently attains to. A number of them are mere ephemeral and impromptu rhymes called into existence by some event of comparatively little importance, and probably considered by his muse unworthy of her wonted attention. There are, however, in the book a very large number of compositions of great merit, some of which are worthy of living side by side with the shorter compositions of Shelley and the lyrical effusions of Burns. Mr MacColl's poems belong more to the subjective school than those of Highland poets in general. Their works are, for the most part, descriptive or hortatory in their character; Mr MacColl's are of a much higher order, and are, in a great degree, a reflex of the thoughts and feelings of a mind strung to a high pitch of admiration of the works of Nature and an appreciation and assimilation of the lessons of all that is beautiful and true and good in the world-life around him. There are various pieces in the book which we might point out as exemplifications of his style, but we should prefer that the reader should procure the book for perty of the people who produce the wealth of the country. Take as an illustration the neighbourhood of Inverness. The landed estates in the immediate vicinity are improving in value every day, by and through the enterprise of the citizens of Inverness extending the town in every direction. Who should reap the benefit of this increased revenue, those who create it-the people of Inverness-or the proprietors of land in the neighbourhood?—(hear, hear) -asks Mr Henry George. They should not get it he says; it should all go to the reduction of the taxes to the whole of the people of Inverness who have created it—in the form of reduced rates. (Cheers.) This may be right or it may be wrong, but as I apprehend it, this is what Mr Henry George wishes us to understand. (Applause; and indications of assent from Mr George.) And, now, permit me to say, and I think you will admit it, that it requires a great deal of moral courage on my part to stand where I stand to-night. (Hear, hear, cheers, and laughter.) I know that there are many here-prominent citizens, too— who are far more extreme on this question than I am, but who are afraid of their shadows, and dare not give public expression to their opinions. (Laughter and cheers.) This state of matters will continue, unless leaders are backed up by Associations, and by public opinion. I, myself, even had considerable hesitation in taking the chair this evening, but I am now glad that I have done it -(loud cheers)-and I say without hesitation that any man in trade taking this position would almost be certain to be ruined in his business, if landlord influence, and lawyer influence, speaking generally, could do it. (Cheers.) But thank goodness they cannot touch me in my business (Cheers.) I hope that we shall be a little more outspoken in future. As you all know, I am suffering persecution at this moment at the hands of landlord representatives and agents in the Town Council of Inverness, admittedly because of the position I have taken up because of the stand I have made-in connection with the condition of the Highland people. (Hear, hear.) But let them persecute me till they are black in the face. (Cheers.) The more they try to put me down, the more determinedly and the more strongly I shall speak out on this question, in the interest of my fellow countrymen. (Loud cheers.) Now, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to join in according a most hearty vote of thanks to Mr Henry George. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) PEER MEN AND THEIR RELATIONS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CELTIC MAGAZINE. SIR,-I have just been reading "The Gaelic Etymology of the Languages of Western Europe, etc.," by Dr Charles Mackay, and I find under the word Hearse the following:-" The origin is the French herce, a harrow, an instrument which in France is made in a triangular form. Hence the name of herse or herche was given to a triangular frame-work of iron for holding a number of candles at funerals and church ceremonies." Now, I must claim this herse-this "triangular frame-work of iron for holding a number of candles"— as a relation of my "Peer Men." I would greatly like to get more information about this instrument, and if possible to see one, if any be still in existence. I don't know where I am more likely to get the information I want about the herse or herche than from the readers of the Celtic Magazine, so as you have befriended the "Peer Men" before-both Mrs Mary Mackellar's and mine-I am sure, if you have space at all in the Celtic Magazine for March you will let this short appeal for "more light" appear.—I am, &c., JAMES LINN. Geological Survey, Keith, 14th February 1884. [This letter was crushed out of the March issue.] THE ENGLISH POETICAL WORKS OF EVAN MACCOLL, Author of "Clarsach nam Beann," with a Biographical Sketch of the Author, by A. MACKENZIE, F.S.A., Scot. Toronto: Rose & Co. Edinburgh : Maclachlan and Stewart, Inverness: A. & W. Mackenzie. HIGHLANDERS have so long been familiar with the name of Evan MacColl, "the Lochfyne Bard," that it will, no doubt, create surprise in the minds of many readers to be informed that this is a complete collection of his English poems, issued under the imprimatur and the careful revision of the veteran poet himself, who still, in his seventysixth year, we are pleased to say, enjoys the "gloaming of life" in happy content in the bosom of his family in the great Dominion of Canada. It is interesting to note that Mr MacColl is the only member now living of that galaxy of Gaelic poets whose productions found a place in John Mackenzie's great and excellent collection of Gaelic poetry, "Sar Obair nam Bard Gaidhealach." The compiler of that work very highly appreciated the poetic gifts of our author, and, speaking of his compositions, pays him the following high tribute, to which we subscribe our hearty amen :— "MacColl ranks very high as a poet. His English pieces, which are out of our way, possess great merit. His Gaelic productions are chiefly amorous, and indicate a mind of the most tender sensibilities and refined taste. The three poems annexed to this notice are of a very superior order; one of them comes under that denomination of poetry called pastoral or descriptive, and evinces powers of delineation, a felicity of conception, and a freshness of ideality not equalled in modern times. The second is an elegiac piece, before whose silver, mellifluent tones we melt away, and are glad to enjoy the luxury of tears with the weeping Muse. The love ditty is a natural gush of youthful affection, better calculated to show us the aspirations of the heart than the most elaborate productions of art. MacColl imitates no poet, he has found enough in Nature to instruct him-he moves majestically in a hitherto untraversed path; and, if we are not continually in rapture with him, we never tire-never think long in his company. But we are reminded that praise bestowed on a living author subjects us to the imputation of flattery-long may it be ere Evan MacColl is the subject of any posthumous meed of laudation from us!" The panegyrist in this extract dismisses the English pieces as being "out of his way," but in the work before us now it is the English productions of Mr MacColl alone that are in our way, and we could scarcely express our opinion of them in more appropriate terms than the talented and tasteful editor of the "Beauties" applied to the Gaelic poems which evoked his enthusiastic admiration. In saying this, we do not wish to imply that all the pieces found in this collection are up to the high standard which Mr MacColl has fixed for himself, and which he so frequently attains to. A number of them are mere ephemeral and impromptu rhymes called into existence by some event of comparatively little importance, and probably considered by his muse unworthy of her wonted attention. There are, however, in the book a very large number of compositions of great merit, some of which are worthy of living side by side with the shorter compositions of Shelley and the lyrical effusions of Burns. Mr MacColl's poems belong more to the subjective school than those of Highland poets in general. Their works are, for the most part, descriptive or hortatory in their character; Mr MacColl's are of a much higher order, and are, in a great degree, a reflex of the thoughts and feelings of a mind strung to a high pitch of admiration of the works of Nature and an appreciation and assimilation of the lessons of all that is beautiful and true and good in the world-life around him. There are various pieces in the book which we might point out as exemplifications of his style, but we should prefer that the reader should procure the book for himself. Mr MacColl has travelled much in all parts of the Highlands of Scotland, and there is scarcely a quarter of the country that has not furnished some scene to move his harp strings. The Findhorn receives neat and graceful treatment in a short and musical composition, designed for the album of Lady Gordon-Cumming of Altyre. Here are some of its stanzas : "Findhorn the Beautiful! Fain would I sing thee; Homage I bring thee. "Child of the Mist and Snow, Nursed 'mong the mountains, Drink at thy fountains. "Glassing the skies above, "Here, with a rushing might, There, like a flash of light, Glen-Urquhart justly evokes intense admiration, but it is scarcely fair to depreciate Stratherrick to supply a dark background for setting off the author's fairy picture. Addressing the Glen, he says— "Hail, thou Arcadia of the North! Glen-Urquhart lovely, well I trow "When Nature's seeming negligence She made a paradise of thee! When admiring the beauties of his native Highlands, Mr MacColl does not forget her worthy sons. In verses addressed to Mr J. F. Campbell of Islay, our poet compliments that worthy Celt in language that is as true in fact as it is beautifully expressed : "What though a stranger lords it now O'er that fair isle so dear to thee, Still lord o'er all its hearts art thou The land alone hath he. "Fortune hath wronged thee much-yet still A heritage more rich remains Than any subject to her will Thy place in Thought's domains." The gem of Mr MacColl's book we take to be its opening piece, "A May Morning in |