We have before us the second volume of The Poets
and Poetry of Scot- land. By James Grant Wilson. (Blackie and Sons.)—It begins with Thomas Campbell and it ends with the Marquis of Lorne, and it con- tains extracts from the poets (together with brief memoirs and mid- °ism') of one hundred and sixteen, of whom thirty-seven are still alive, not to speak of some names contained in the. appendix. The period included is almost exactly a century, for Campbell, who stands first on the list, was born in 1777. It is quite clear that modern life is not unfavourable to the prodnction of a certain kind of poetry, and a quite genuine kind, too. 'It is carious that there is not a really great name among them, with the doubtful exception of the first, though it is quite possible that,sorne may yet achieve greatness. We do not notice the name of Jean Ingelow, who we should suppose to belong quite as
eh to Scotland as does Theodore Martin, nor that •of Aytoan. This is a very interesting volume.
Previous page
