Part 5
Literature and angling would seem to have something in common. The number of books that have been written on the ‘gentle art,’ and that by men of striking ability, is too well known to require enumeration. To this list we must now add _Sprigs of Heather, or the Rambles of ‘Mayfly’ with old Friends_, by the Rev. John Anderson, D.D., Minister of Kinnoull. Mr Anderson is a veteran angler, and is able to look back to days spent by the river-side with the great Christopher North, and with others who, though of less note in the angling and literary world, were still such as to afford to the author the opportunity of telling many amusing and characteristic stories regarding them. He is, as many, perhaps most, anglers are, delighted with the scenes of rural beauty into which his pursuits have led him, and he describes them with the pen of a ready and accomplished writer, and with somewhat of poetic fervour. Mr Anderson is a strong advocate of fly-fishing, and almost scornfully speaks of those who use bait, as ‘ground-fishers,’ and the like. We are not sure but his indignation on this point is misplaced, as all bait-fishing is not done in muddy or discoloured water, and perhaps as much skill is required to fish successfully a small clear stream with worm as with fly. Stewart and other well-known anglers have long since acknowledged this. In other respects, however, Mr Anderson’s little volume is such that lovers of the rod and line will find it entertaining reading.
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Those who love Scottish music and Scottish dances will hail with pleasure the appearance of two handsome volumes entitled, _The Athole Collection of Dance Music of Scotland_ (Edinburgh: Maclachlan and Stewart). These volumes have been compiled and arranged by Mr James Stewart Robertson (Edradynate), who has done his work in a most efficient manner. He, as an unprofessional musician, apologises for having undertaken such a work, which, he says, was only done by him because he did not expect, from the disfavour into which, for the present, Scottish music and dances have unfortunately fallen, that any professional musician, competent for the task, ‘could be induced to devote the time, and to run the chances attending the production of such a work.’ So far as Mr Robertson’s execution of the work is concerned, no such apology was required; while his devotion to the task which he has so satisfactorily accomplished renders his services to his country almost patriotic. He has selected his airs with admirable taste and skill, and the two volumes contain within them specimens of almost every characteristic of Scottish dance music. No better or more acceptable present could be sent from Scotch folks at home to Scotch folks abroad than this _Athole Collection_.
AMONG THE DAISIES.
Lay her down among the daisies, With the fringes of her eyes, Softer than their silver petals, Closed for blissful reveries. Fold her little hands in whiteness As in prayer on her breast; Fear not for their folded lightness On the heart unmoving pressed, For that heart of angel brightness, Tired so early, lies at rest.
Tired so early!—when the dawning Glimmered white-winged through the room, And the skies were half awaking, Half in fading starlit gloom, From the heaven of the starlight Came the angels of the dawn; And the morning winds were sighing, And the curtains eastward drawn, And her sleeping face looked brighter, And a whispering sob said—‘Gone!’
All the daisies were unfolding In the fields, where never more Shall the rapture of her child-life Run in shout and laughter o’er. Tired so early!—she has gathered All her gladness in swift space, She has sung her song and ended, Childlike turning pleading face Back to home when joys are weary— Toward the one familiar place.
Lay her low among the daisies: Angels knew her more than we; They have led her home from wandering, Tired with earthly revelry. And above her daisied pillow Let her simple tale be told: Here the Lover of the lilies Bade a little blossom fold; He that wakes the flowers shall wake her, White as snow, with heart of gold.
HELEN ATTERIDGE.
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Printed and Published by W. & R. CHAMBERS, 47 Paternoster Row, LONDON, and 339 High Street, EDINBURGH.
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_All Rights Reserved._
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[Transcriber’s note—the following changes have been made to this text:
Page 207: Angelos to Angeles—“Los Angeles”.]