Jersey Legends in Verse. By Thomas Williams. (Saunders, Otley, and
Co.)—This gentleman has occupied his leisure in turning the legends. of the guide-books into doggrel,—but even doggrel should have metro and rhyme, and here is a specimen of M. Williams's workmanship :—
"Now minute details are always bothering, And you've seen a dragon upon a sovereign, Which no doubt the Master of the Mint Devised from descriptions now out of print ; There is also one in the National Gallery, Painted by Guide, if my memory servo me ; And these will suffice for the likeness or type Of the sort of creature this dragon was like.
In addition to these specimens of rhyme, we find on the next three pages, deed, fatigue—custom, trust on—standard, vanguard—instance, distance—thoughts, retorts—espouse him, mourning—gibe, guide— brother, lover. If a man pretends to write rhyme he should have an ear, and what is the merit of verses of this sort, if they are not even good verses ? We prefer the guide-books.
Previous page
