Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/90

20 NOTES BY THE WAY. friends the Shepherd, North, and Tickler took part being No. LXXI. The birthday is also referred to by "The Looker-On." With these exceptions the number has the usual contents, but specially appropriate is the second instalment of Sir John Mowbray's reminiscences.

In this addition to the 'Noctes' the sons of Scotland who are fighting the battle of life far from home are addressed by Neil Munro in words never to be forgotten:— Are you not weary in your distant places, Far far from Scotland of the mist and storm, In stagnant airs the sun-smite on your faces, The days so long and warm? When all around you lie the strange fields sleeping, The ghastly woods where no dear memories roam, Do not your sad hearts over seas come leaping, To the highlands and the lowlands of your Home?

Love strength and tempest oh come back and share them! Here is the cottage, here the open door; We have the hearts although we do not bare them, They 're yours, and you are ours for evermore.

This anniversary will cause many to turn back to the early years. Apart from the contributions of well-known writers those volumes contain a remarkable record of the times. The first six numbers, under the title Edinburgh Monthly Magazine, were jointly edited by James Cleghorn, the founder of the Scottish Provident Institution, and Thomas Pringle, author of 'Narrative of a Residence in South Africa'; but with the seventh number Mr. William Blackwood took the entire control, changing the title to Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, It was in this number that 'The Chaldee MS.' appeared falling like a thunderbolt on Edinburgh.

Vol. I., April to September, 1817, opens with a memoir of the late Francis Horner ; and its literary contents comprise 'Remarks on Greek Tragedy'; a series of articles on Scottish gipsies, inspired, if not dictated, by Sir Walter Scott; 'Memories of the Somervilles'; a review of 'Lalla Rookh,' price 2l. 2s., and 'Manfred,' published at 5s. 6d.; 'Harrington,' by [Author:Maria Edgeworth|Maria Edgeworth]]; Dr. Chalmers's 'Discourses' ; and 'Sacred Songs,' by Thomas Moore.

The original communications are numerous and varied. Much space is devoted to the 'Antiquarian Repertory.' In an article on Savings Banks it is curious to find the title objected to. In the 'Literary and Scientific Intelligence' the important sale of the