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TOGETHER WITH
Numerous Songs Upon Canadian Subjects
By Thomas Cowherd
The Author of this volume does not feel much apology necessary for itspublication, though the world is already flooded with Rhyme, uponalmost every conceivable subject, and most of it of a very mediocrecharacter.
Though living but a short time upon a Bush farm, my experiences were ofsuch a practical nature as to entitle me to speak with confidence onmany rural matters. The religious opinions so frequently and stronglyexpressed are the result of a careful study of God's Word, and I feelthat for them no apology is necessary.
To learning I make but the most slender pretentions. Born in one of thehumblest ranks in life, and going to my trade at the commencement of myteens, and working long weary hours for seven years at thattrade, I found little opportunity of attaining anything likeproficiency in literary composition. Many of my minor pieces havealready seen the light in local and other newspapers, etc., and actingon the advice of several literary friends I have at last gathered myprincipal poems together in a permanent form. Should this effort notmeet with public favor, the offense—if such it be—is not likely to berepeated, as I am now over sixty-five years of age. Many of theproductions of my humble Muse were conceived, and in a great measurecomposed, while working at the bench—to which I am still confined, inorder to provide for my family's needs.
If the advice of Pope to some of the Rhymers of his day was needful,viz., "to keep their effusions for seven years," I can say trulymost of mine have been kept that period nearly four times over. I wouldnot have the reader imagine that they have necessarily grown better bybeing on the shelf; still this has afforded an opportunity forpolishing them up in some measure.
I may further say my "Emigrant Mechanic" was nearly or quite finishedbefore Mr. McLachlan's "Emigrant" was published, and before I had everheard of "The U. E.," a beautiful and very interesting Emigrant poem byMr. Kerby, of Niagara.
My warmest thanks are due the Rev. W. W. Smith, of Newmarket, Ont., forhis kindness in undertaking the preparation of these pages for thepress. Also for many valuable emendations.
Such as they are I send forth my unlearned rhymes, with the earnestprayer that they may benefit the reader as much as they have benefittedme, for I can say in the words of Coleridge, "Poetry has been to me itsown exceeding great reward."
THOMAS COWHERD.
Brantford, Ontario, January, 1884.
Introduction. Birthplace of the Mechanic. Affliction of the family.Death of Mother and two Sisters. Father's second marriage. Familytradition. Youth's thoughts and feelings in regard to it. Placesvisited. Crossthwaite, Underbarrow, Lake Windermere, Esthwaite.Incidents. Poetic Tastes. Conclusion.
Address to Domestic Bliss. Its influence on Society. Principal sourcefrom which it springs, viz., conjugal union, faithfully cherished. Anappeal to Parents and Lawgivers on the subject. WILLIAM'S trainingunder its influence. Difficulties in procuring trade. Success at l