DUGALD MACPHAIL.
This cultivated poet, a native of Mull, author of An t-Eilein Muileach, one of the popular songs in the language, was a man of strong and well-cultivated intellect, who did not at all give us what might be expected from one of his rich poetic endowments. But what he has done is first-class. The most of it will be found in the “Oranaiche.” Macphail was also known as a most effective Gaelic speaker, as well as a clever writer of Gaelic stories. He has done good work in translating religious productions, his translation of MacLaurin’s magnificent sermon on “Glorying in the Cross of Christ” being one of the best little books in the Gaelic language.
There are several minor bards whose names have for a long time been known in different parts of the Highlands—
Robert Macdougall, author of “A Gaelic Guide” to Canada, where he resided for some time, published an interesting volume of poems in 1840. Along with original pieces of great merit he gives a translation of Tam o’ Shanter, and of some poems of Byron, whom he somewhat imitated. He was the first, along with James Munro, of the new school of poetry to which Livingston, Angus Macdonald, and others of the present day belong.
Archibald Campbell, of Kinloch-Earn, brought out a neat volume of songs and poems in 1831. One or two of them have become very popular. His style is unaffected, and the sentiment natural. The whole volume is fully of average merit.
John Cameron, of Ballachulish, author of “Dan Spioradail” (1862), has written several poems and songs of considerable merit. The best-known is Duil ri Bailc-ehaolais fhaicinn. Like Mary Mackellar, Cameron did not continue a worshipper at the shrine of the sacred Muse, to which he seems to have been devoted in his early days.
John Campbell, of Leadaig, is well-known as the author of several excellent poems, one of which has been translated by Professor Blackie. There is much taste as well as evidence of fair culture in all that Campbell has written. His poetry is distinguished by the pastoral sweetness and light of a simple Highland life.
John Mackorkindale, a native of Islay, afterwards in Canada, possesses true poetic insight, and had he continued to cultivate Gaelic poetry he could produce excellent work. Parts of a poetic dialogue on “Dun Bhrusgraidh” by him were reprinted in the first volume of The Gael.
George Campbell, late of Kinabus, in the same island, composed a great deal of poetry of more than average merit, but his compositions were never collected and published. Fuirich a Ribhinn phriseal is to be found in the “Oranaiche.” The maiden addressed is Jean Wodrow, daughter of the Kildalton minister, who published in 1771 a mellifluous rhyming version of Fingal, founded on Macpherson’s English.
The Rev. Donald Macrae, a native of Plockton, late of Ness, Lewis, was a true poet, although he did not produce much. A sweet, pathetic poem, by him, The Emigrant’s Lament, written on the occasion of many of his congregation in Lewis leaving for Canada, has been much admired, and has been translated into English by a daughter of late Rev. Dr Gibson of Glasgow:—
The Emigrant’s Lament.
We’ve gone to the shore,
With those who no more
Shall see their own isle
For ever.
Th’ iron ship’s now their home,
Through white, curling foam
They speed, some in joy,
Some weeping.
See childhood’s glad eye;
But list woman’s sigh!
Even manhood’s stout heart
Is breaking!
Hot streaming tears flow,
Now silent in woe,
They’re looking behind
In sorrow.
Still sailing on west,
From the land they love best,
They gaze upon nought
But Muirneag!
See Muirneag depart!
Dear hill of their heart
Now lost to their view
For ever!
’Tis sunk in the sea,
Each cheek becomes pale!
Oh! list yon wild wail
For Muirneag!
Dear friends, loved so well,
Are left far behind,
Fond bleeding hearts swell
With anguish!
The bereaved pastor continues the wail further in a more religious strain, hoping—
When time shall have passed
May all meet at last,
Safe at yon fair haven,
In glory!