Poems of James McIntyre Part 1

Poems of James McIntyre.

by James McIntyre.

TO THE PUBLIC.

We received so many kind a.s.surances from friends in this neighborhood and from gentlemen at a distance who had taken an interest in our first little work, that they induce us to issue this more comprehensive volume containing about one hundred new pieces. We have written a number of dairy odes recently; these and our patriotic songs composed during the past year we trust will make the work more interesting. We publish a few short pieces from many letters and poems we received from friends. We hope the public will peruse the poems in a friendly spirit, as a kind feeling towards all of the nationalities forming this young and vigorous Dominion has prompted us to publish these selections from our poetic works.

JAMES McINTYRE,

INGERSOLL, ONT.

SHORT EXTRACTS FROM POEMS AND LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE AUTHOR.

The following lines were received from Mr. William Murray of Hamilton:

"In writing you do not pretend With Tennysonian themes to blend, It is an independent style Begotten on Canadian soil."

From one of Toronto's well known citizens, S. H. Janes, Esq., formerly of Oxford:

I wish to express to you my great pleasure in looking over your musings on the Banks of Canadian Thames. It seemed to transport my memory across the chasm of twenty-five years and to call up the scenes, a.s.sociations and joys of boyhood's happy hour. Literary work of this kind must add greatly to your pleasure and happiness as it certainly does to that of your friends.

The Editor of the Toronto Globe, after reviewing a number of other books p.r.o.nounced our little volume to be the gem of the table.

Col. Denison, Toronto's police magistrate, "found many most interesting pieces on Canadian subjects in the volume."

Joaquin Miller, the American poet, hailed me as "my dear poet of the Canadian pasture fields," and he said I did wisely in singing of useful themes.

N. C. Thompson of Rockford, Ill., wrote us a large number of verses. We select the following:

"Your poem on the Bard of Ayr, I like the best, I think it rare, An equal love of Burns I share, And read him oft, O could I write like him 'twould bear My soul aloft."

Dr. Scadding, the Antiquarian, thought my poem on Father Rannie, the cheese pioneer, "had the ring of a fine old ballad about it."

From a poem by the Rev. John Dunbar, of Toronto, we give this extract:

As other duties made demand I only got your poems scanned, Marking the treatment of your pieces While wonder and surprise increases, a.s.sured your book its way will win, So neat without, so nice within, Reserving as a promised pleasure The thorough reading at my leisure, Permit me now to each unknown To thank you for the kindness shown.

The Hon. Oliver Mowat was pleased with the patriotic spirit displayed in the poems.

From George McIntyre of Conestoga:

Surprised, delighted, beyond measure, I gazed upon the pretty treasure, And as it gives me such great pleasure, My thanks I send To him who in his hours of leisure Those verses penned.

A. G. Murray, a prominent clansman of Chicago, sent us the following:--I received your volume and I think a great deal of it. It is one of our family treasures and the reading of it brings before us the genial form of friend McIntyre, who pictures things so vividly, reminding us of days gone by.

From Rev. Robert Cameron of Denver, Colorado:

My whilom friend dear McIntyre, Your book of rhymes has come, Take thanks from all around our fire, For all have said well done; How many long and toilsome years Have pa.s.sed since first we met, I was a lad twixt hopes and fears, And you'r a poet yet.

CANADA BEFORE THE CONFEDERATION OF THE PROVINCES.

Canadian provinces they lay Divided by river and by bay, Many a separate division, Among them there was no cohesion.

But statesmen saw that a great nation Could be formed by federation, And soon they led public opinion To favor forming this Dominion.

North-West with its streams and fountains, With sources in the Rocky Mountains, It was all a great mystery, Hunting for furs its history.

Though North-West is filling slow Yet soon there will be mighty flow, Millions to North-West will hurry In last decade of century.

For therein is an opening grand In great fertile prairie land, For there the choicest wheat it grows Near where the Saskatchewan flows.

And on many a river's branch There is found great grazing ranch, Favoured districts therein abound Where cattle graze all the year round.

Protected from the stormy blast By the Rocky Mountains vast, Through canon blows no storm terrific, But balmy breezes from Pacific.

CANADA'S FUTURE.

Canada is a young giant, Has not yet acquired its strength, On the arts of peace reliant, Throughout its vast breadth and length.

Though 'tis not famed for orange bowers Nor for the products of its vines, Though other lands have fairer flowers, Yet it to n.o.bler gifts inclines.

It doth produce the golden grain And few lands can with it compete, They often try but all in vain To produce such splendid wheat.