"Lake Lyrics, and Other Poems." By W. Wilfred Campbell. St. John, N.B., 1889. Mr. Campbell, who was originally a clergyman of the Church of England, is now in the public service at Ottawa, and has written some of his best poems for American magazines. One on "The Mother," in 'Harper's Monthly' is full of poetic thought and deep pathos, and should be better known by Canadians than it appears to be. At this time of writing his new volume of poems entitled "The Dread Voyage" (Toronto, 1893), has appeared; it sustains his reputation, though one can hardly encourage his effort to imitate Tennyson in such poems as "Sir Lancelot." Canadian poets too frequently are imitative rather than original. Mr. Campbell's verses on the varied scenery of the lakes of the West show the artistic temperament.
For instance:
"Domed with the azure of heaven,
Floored with a pavement of pearl,
Clothed all about with a brightness
Soft as the eyes of a girl.
"Girt with a magical girdle,
Rimmed with a vapour of rest—
These are the inland waters,
These are the Lakes of the West."