Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 1.djvu/266

 and Roden Noel [q. v.], thenceforth two valued friends. His 'London Poems' (1866) established his reputation as a graphic writer of narrative poetry whose sympathies with humble life were deep.

With improved prospects, Buchanan settled near Oban, 1866-74, living as a country gentleman and writing steadily, both verse, chiefly narrative, and prose sketches and criticisms. 'Ballad Stories of the Affections' (translated from Danish) appeared in 1866, 'North Coast and other Poems' in 1867, 'The Book of Orm,' a mystical study, in 1870, 'Napoleon Fallen,' a lyrical drama (2 edits.) and 'The Drama of Kings ' in 1871, 'St. Abe and his Seven Wives,' a tale in verse of Salt Lake City (anonymously), in 1872, and 'White Rose and Red,' a love story in verse, in 1873. Vivacious ballads like 'The Starling ' (in 'London Poems '), 'Phil Blood's Leap,' and the 'Wedding of Shon McLean ' (in 'Ballads of Life, Love, and Humour,' 1882) powerfully impressed the general reader. The 'Wedding' originally appeared in the 'Gentleman's Magazine' (July 1874). In prose his best efforts of this period were 'The Land of Lorne,' vivid sketches of a yachting tour to the Hebrides (1871), and critical essays on contemporary authors collected from magazines entitled 'Master Spirits ' (1874). The poet soon outran his income, and in order to retrieve his position he gave at the rooms in Hanover Square, London, in 1869, two readings from his works; but the physical strain prevented him from continuing them. In 1870 Gladstone granted him a civil list pension of 100l.

In the 'Spectator' on 15 Sept. 1866 Buchanan had published under the pseudonym 'Caliban' a poem called 'The Session of the Poets,' in which he wrote insolently of Swinburne, and satirically of other leading poets of the day. In a pamphlet on Swinburne's 'Poems and Ballads' (1867), W. M. Rossetti retorted by calling Buchanan 'a poor but pretentious poetaster.' Reviewing Matthew Arnold's 'New Poems' (1867) Swinburne attacked David Gray's 'poor little book' in a merciless foot-note (Essays and Studies p. 153). Buchanan now retaliated with vehemence. In October 1871 Buchanan under the pseudonym of Thomas Maitland contributed to the 'Contemporary Review' an article entitled 'The Fleshly School of Poetry,' severely handling the Pre-Raphaelites and especially Dante Gabriel Rossetti. A bitter controversy followed (Rossetti's Family Letters, ii. 249). Rossetti protested in the 'Athenæum' against 'The Stealthy School of Criticism ' 16 Dec. 1871), while Swinburne, with biting causticity, denounced Buchanan in 'Under the Microscope' (1872). Having re- vised and amplified his attack, Buchanan in 872 issued it as a pamphlet with his name and the title 'The Fleshly School of Poetry and other Phenomena of the Day.' The warfare was long continued. Swinburne, under the mocking signature of 'Thomas Maitland St. Kilda,' renewed his attack on Buchanan in a letter entitled 'The Devil's Due,' published in the 'Examiner' on 28 Dec. 1875. Buchanan brought an action for libel against the proprietor of the newspaper, Peter Taylor, and after three days' trial (29 June–1 July 1876) won 150l. damages. Subsequently Buchanan acknowledged the extravagance of his assault, and sought to make reparation by dedicating to his 'old enemy,' i.e. Rossetti, his novel 'God and the Man' (1881). He wrote in the 'Academy' on 1 July 1882, 'Mr. Rossetti, I freely admit now, never was a Fleshly Poet at all,' and he eulogised Rossetti's work in 'A Look round Literature' (1887).

Leaving Oban in 1874, Buchanan in search of health settled at Rossport, co. Mayo. A collection of his poems in three volumes appeared that year, and although it was censured for its irregularities, improved his position. 'Balder the Beautiful,' an ambitious but heavy poem, followed in 1877, and was received with indifference. Meanwhile, Buchanan turned to prose fiction. In 1876 came out his first novel, 'The Shadow of the Sword' (new edit. 1902), which proved thoroughly readable, and was the forerunner of a long series, two of which, 'A Child of Nature' (1881) and 'Father Anthony' (not issued till 1898), were coloured by his Irish experience. Wearying of Irish life after 1877, Buchanan presently settled in London, which thenceforth remained his headquarters. His literary activity was now at its height. His most powerful novel, 'God and the Man,' a vivid study of a family feud, appeared in 1881, and hardly a year passed till near his death without the issue of a new book of fiction from his pen. He did not abandon poetry, but published less. For the opening of the Glasgow International Exhibition in May 1888 he composed a patriotic ode, which was set to music by Sir Alexander Mackenzie. 'The City of Dream,' an epic poem (1888), the chief poem of his latter years, illustrates his mystical vein and love of mythology.

While a boy at Glasgow Buchanan wrote