A Wreath of Canadian song : containing biographical sketches and numerous selections from deceased Canadian poets

Edgar C. M. Whyte Mrs

Sujets

• Poet
• Canadian poetry

Informations

• Publié par: les_archives_du_savoir
• Nombre de lectures: 27
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 10 Mo

Extrait

-OFA-WREATH
' SONGCANADIAN-iru ^F. McDonnell. Hon. Howe.John Joseph
Alma Mrs. Susanna Moodie.Mrs. C. Yule. Frances McCollum.J.
Eric Yeoman.Grant Allen. Charles Dawson Shanly. McKay
Theodore Rand. Martin.Harding GeorgeA WREATH OF
CANADIAN SONG
CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND
NUMEROUS SELECTIONS FROM DECEASED
- - - - - - - -CANADIAN POETS
By
MRS. C. M. WHYTE-EDGAR
TORONTO
WILLIAM BR1GGS
1910)I95
25
/V?3
1910Copyright. Canada,
by 'William Briffffs
19585JUNLOVINGLY INSCRIBED
TO THE MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND.PREFACE.AUTHOR'S
thosebeen a matter ofIT has regret amongstlong
thatof a native literaturewho would foster the growth
writers of should beCanadian verse,writers, especially
and thatso little known their ownamongst people,
in theif not of the earlier versemuch, all, produced
has been allowed to fall into comparativecountry
oblivion.
all workTo redeem as much of this but forgotten
toas its limitations andnecessary permit, incidentally
do its little towards thepart counteracting existing
are the of this little volume. This
apathy, purposes
and manner for its accom-twofold theobject adopted
in to the work some-have resultedplishment lending
and aof the nature both of anthing anthology history,
it cannot be classed as either.though, strictly speaking,
inAs far as was consistent with the followedplan
all ofits criticism, expression privatepreparation,
or other intrusion of the of theopinion, personality
author more of the hasor, perhaps, properly, editor,
been avoided. Wherever orpossible practicable, copious
extracts from the work of the writers treated have been
and from the consideration of these the readergiven,
has left to form his own unbiased.been judgments
vAuthor's Preface
The title has been In this volume we arechanged.
concerned with the deceased ofexclusively poets
Canada. It be said that the workcannotcertainly
of such writers as Isabellarecently-deceased Valancy
Crawford or William Drummond hasHenry lapsed
into oblivion or it is a lamentabledisuse, though
fact that even are far too little read orthey
within the of the itknown. But, work,coming scope
fair that should bewas deemed only they given equal
in consideration ofwith the earlier writersshowing
their actual merits.
It be that verse of an order not en-may objected
it to in a selectedrepresentation judiciouslytitling
collection of Canadian has found its intopoetry way
But it should be borne in mind that thisthese pages.
not as a criterion which thework is presented by poetic
can It isof the beproduction country judged. simply
an account or of Canadian verse of thehistory past,
as has been mentioned with asillustrated, already, many
extracts as could be and thepossibly admitted, aim,
never lost of in the course of its waspreparation,sight
to make it as and useful as Frompossible.complete
that an has beenthis it must not be inferred attempt
all ofmade to touch the verse-writersupon departed
as aCanada. That would be a fruitless as well
cumbrous task. It is a fact that three out of sixevery
of to culture affectpeople any pretension verse-writing,
"
even in our own their name isand, young country,
legion."
It remains now to add that everyonly precaution
the detailshas been taken to ensure the ofaccuracy
viherein That errors have in ingiven. may crept spite
of is not and the author will be
vigilance unlikely,
to notice of such that bereceive maygrateful any
observed.
NOTE OF THANKS.
Sincere thanks are due and renderedhereby gladly
to the friends from whom I have received advicemany
and other which have far towardshelp, gone making
the of the a in-preparation pagesfollowing pleasure
stead of a task. these to be mentionedoughtAmongst
Mr. W. D. whose linkedname,particularly Lighthall,
with so movements for their themany having object
of a broader national has becomedevelopment spirit,
with and Mr.synonymous patriotism good citizenship;
John of the Montreal who with char-Gazette,Reade,
acteristic his inexhaustible fund ofgenerosity placed
in hand and hisinformation on the well-storedsubject
at Mr. H. cul-alike C. theGould,library my disposal;
tured and courteous librarian of McGill theUniversity;
late Mr. of the Montreal Standard,George Murray,
whose on matters commanded wide-opinions literary
Mr. William and L. W.spread respect; Drysdale Judge
Sicotte. I am likewise indebted to the librarians
deeply
of the Fraser of theInstitute, Montreal; Legislative
and Ottawa of VictoriaCarnegie Libraries, ; University
and the Public as well as to numer- Toronto,
ous relatives and friends of the writers dealt whowith,
vliAuthor's Preface
seconded efforts with and cordialmy ready sympathy
good-will.
the works that have ofbeen service areAmongst
"
Dr. Dewart's Selections from Canadian Dr.Poets,"
"
H. J. Bibliotheca W. D.Morgan's Canadensis,"
"
of the Great Dr. Band'sLighthall's Songs Dominion,"
" "
of Canadian C. C. James' Biblio-Treasury Verse,"
of and Archibald Mac-graphy Poetry,"
"
Handbook- of Literature."CanadianMurchy's
C. M. EDGAR.
1910.Lancaster, February 19th,