20 OCTOBER 1917, Page 15

THE CANADIAN BOAT SONG.

(To THE EDITOR or TEE " SPECTATOR."" SIR,—The quotation of the appealing lines from "The Canadian Boat Song" has naturally awakened the interest felt by many of your readers in the question of authorship. This is a literiry controversy that has been revived at intercede sin. 1829, when the poem first appeared in print, or on the occasion of some eminent speaker—as Lord Roseber7—using the telling description of the sentiment cherished by exiled Highlanders towards the homeland they had been eon:1,01.d to flee, The

so beautifully told by the late Mr. Thomas Newbigging. In this small book the whole subject is dealt with, every possible point considered, each claim carefully analysed and tested by comparison, and the valuable testimony of Canadian information adduced to strengthen the conclusions therein contained. The essay of Mr. Fraser receives the fullest attention, and appears to be disposed of at once and for ever. Apart from this subject, may I say that Mr, Newbigging's book, " The Canadian Bont Soap," and other Papers, is a delightful possession. I should like to make a gentle protest against your footnote adopting the " world " in substitu- tion of the original "waste of seas." The word " waste " seems to convey much more feelingly the sense of "loneliness," " desolation," and remoteness from the object of desire.—I am,