Page:The Poetical Works of William Motherwell, 1849.djvu/73

 delicate musical sensibilities, and after an ineffectual struggle with the ruling passion, music became the business of his life. He attained to considerable provincial distinction, and composed original music for the following songs of the poet Tannahill, whose intimate friend he was:—Jessie the Flower o' Dumblane—The Lass of Arranteenie—The Harper of Mull—Langsyne beside the Woodland Burn—Our Bonnie Scots Lads—Despairing Mary—Wi' waefu' heart and sorrowin' ee—The Maniac's Song—Poor Tom's Farewell—The Soldier's Widow—and We'll meet beside the Dusky Glen.

Tn 1823 he removed to Edinburgh at the solicitation of the late Rev. Dr Andrew Thomson, where he led the choir of St George's Church of which Dr Thomson was the incumbent, and where he died in January, 1829. Between him and Motherwell there existed a warm friendship arising no doubt from a congeniality of tastes on many point's; but, on the part of the latter, strengthened by a sincere respect for the virtues as well as the genius of the man. Smith had to contend through life not only with narrow means and domestic discomfort, but against the pressure of a constitutional melancholy which occasionally impaired the vigour of his fine faculties. His real griefs—of which he had a full share, were, therefore, increased by some that were imaginary, and he was obviously accustomed not only to lean upon the stronger mind of his friend in his moments of depression, but to seek for sympathy in his distress, which, it is needless to add, was