Love's Music, and other Poems. By Annie Matheson. (Sampson Low,
Marston, and Co.)—This "handful of lyrics " is appropriately named, though the poem which gives its title to the volume is not the most conspicuous of the contents. It is music not of earth, however, but of heaven ; it is the sustained melody of a faith built on the Divine love. The poems are also characterised by a passionate love and sympathy for humanity, which, religious in its essence, extends far beyond the bounds of religious unity. Every event of life is thus touched with heavenly light, whether it be ostensibly connected with religion or not. This spirit would go far towards redeeming grave faults, but there is very little here which needs to plead its excellence of substance. Miss Matheson has the true lyrical gift, though she is at her best in her simplest attempts. Now and then the rhythm stumbles, and the choice of metre does not always seem to us happy. A more serious blemish is the occasional use of hackneyed expressions,. a danger incidental to the simple themes Miss Matheson chooses. But the faults of this kind are very few, and it is ungracious to dwell on them among so much that is good. Those who find the note of doubt in modern hterature depressing will welcome this volume. It is refreshing to meet with a writer who can find the consolation of love in the midst of suffering, ant./ to whom the divine order of life is still apparent :—
" Round the world and through the world,
Under it and over, .
Like the light in dewdrops pearled, Or the scent in clover, Breathes the sweet and living broa'h Of a love more strong than death.
Grief will come and loss will come, Saddening molly a morrow, But through all, though often dumb, Blessing even sorrow, Love, that knits the souls of friend., Makes for all divine amends." ,
These lines, from "An April Song," breathe the spirit of Miss, Matheson's verse. Many of the pieces in this volume have only to be known to become favourites with all who prize devotional poetry as a help to spiritual life. It is a book to be lived with rather than to be hastily read, for it is marked by no striking, imagination or brilliant fancy. Verse of this merit has always a value ; but the greatest worth of these lyrics is not their poetry,. but the spirit of the faith which is expressed in them.
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