amongst the immense number of ignorant and unhappy failures. Coleridge, Campbell, Hood, and Mr Tennyson have made real additions to our collection of standard metrical forms, and have remarkably contradicted the assertion of the author of a recent "Treatise on English Versification," that "in the whole compass of English Versification there does not appear to be any room left for discovery." On considering the condition of English Metre in its latest stage, as displayed in the writings of the present Laureate, we seem to comprehend metrical possibilities beyond anything as yet attained. One of the most powerful means of metrical effect remains as yet comparatively untried by English poets. We mean the element of metrical contrast, as developed by the Greeks in their antistrophic poetry. This effect has often been attempted by a formal imitation of the Greek dramatic choruses; but such imitations have necessarily failed; because, not to speak of other causes of difference, these choruses assume the assistance of music, diversity of persons, and stage arrangement, without which their complex metrical symmetry cannot be rendered or artistically felt. Elaborate metrical contrasts and correspondences, if the poet would have them affect the feelings with due simplicity and decision, must depend upon far other principles; and these principles, we think, are only beginning to be apprehended. We see no reason why there should not occur a new development of the powers of metre analogous to the wonderful development in modern times of the corresponding art of music. Mr Tennyson, in a few of his poems, particularly in that called "The Vision of Sin," has succeeded better than any other poet, except Cole

* Rev. W. Crowe.

ridge, in the exceedingly difficult work of employing different metres, with right effect, in one and the same poem. "The Brook" affords another example of such success. The laws of metrical transition have never been examined, and very few poets have attained to the effective practice of such transition, although most have attempted it.

Another quality which worthily distinguishes the writings of the Laureate and the best of our recent poets, is the great development which their practice has conferred upon some of the long-established English metres. Take, for example, the old ballad-stanza, as it is used in Mr Tennyson's "Talking-Oak," the eight-syllabled quatrain in the "Day-Dream," and blank verse in "Ulysses" and the "Morte d'Arthur." It is impossible not to perceive that a permanent increase of power and beauty has accrued to these metres from that poet's practice. The work of developing the powers of those great standard metres which have proved themselves to be in harmony with the genius of our language by centuries of custom, is perhaps the highest as well as the safest way in which a poet can at present prosecute his art. There are not more than six or eight measures which have gained really extensive popular approval, and of these the powers of not more than the moiety have ever been duly and fully exhibited by recent writers. No modern poet has done full justice, in a long poem, to the eight-syllable couplet, which, as treated by Chaucer and Fletcher, is one of the very finest of our metres; or to "rhythm royal," that most famous measure of the most famous ages of English poetry. Yet, with these admirable, approved, and manageable metres at hand-metres which our early poets have shown to be suited to the most sustained and varied flights of poetrymost of our rising versifiers persist in writing in measures

which, like "blank verse" and the "heroic couplet," labour under the triple disadvantage, of being extremely easy to write ill in, no less difficult to manage properly, and of having had their powers developed to the utmost by great and recent poets.

"A Book for Scotchmen all over the world."

Royal 8vo, price 45s., The

CLANS of the HIGHLANDS of SCOTLAND:

BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR

ANNALS, SEPARATELY AND COLLECTIVELY,

ACCOMPANIED WITH

Accurate Coloured Delineations of their various Tartans.

EDITED BY THOMAS SMIBERT, ESQ.

The Publisher of the "CLANS OF THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND" respectfully directs the attention of the British people generally, and the Gael of the Scottish Highlands in particular, to this national work. In addition to the lengthened Letterpress matter devoted to the Annals of the Clans, the work contains FIFTY-FIVE HIGHLY FINISHED COLOURED PLATES OF TARTANS, along with the respective ARMS of the SEPTS, also Coloured.

The objects which led originally to this undertaking were the following:-First, it was desired to ascertain and present, in a handsome shape, the Primary and Original Setts of the Clan-Tartans of the Gael, before modern and fanciful innovations should have rendered any attempt of the kind hopeless and impracticable; and, secondly, to place before every several Gaelic tribe or family a clear and connected account of its own Annals, so arranged that the work might serve as a convenient, accurate, and comprehensive book of reference, whether in regard to public or to private events in the story of the Scottish Highlanders. Whether successfully or unsuccessfully, these objects have at least been pursued with no common amount of care, diligence, and expense. In regard to the Tartans, the imagined improvements made upon Setts of late days have been usually disregarded, and those only adhered to which bore the stamp of antiquity, as far as the truth could be discovered. The Setts held as standards at the Bannockburn Factory of the Messrs Wilson, a firm of very old standing. have been adopted in the majority of cases as affording the most genuine specimens of the primary and most ancient Setts of Clan-Tartans ever manufactured (save by private looms) in Scotland. Indeed, of the many parties consulted, few did not bow to the Bannockburn authority. When the present volume, therefore, does not present the forms of the Tartans which Gaelic Chiefs may now be pleased to wear in particular cases, it may claim the merit, in nearly every instance, of truly delineating and recording those which were worn by their forefathers.

It was also conceived, when the present work was commenced, that a publication of the kind formed a desideratum in Scottish literature. The large volumes of Messrs Logan and M'Ian, and of the Messrs Sobieski Stuart, being sold at the prices of Ten and Twelve Guineas respectively, evidently stand, and must ever have stood, above the reach of the community at large. While offered at a cost more reasonable-namely, at Forty-five Shillings-the publication now offered to the world has been at the same time drawn up, it may be confidently asserted, with more of comprehensiveness and elaboration as regards the Letterpress, while greater attention, it may also be averred, has been devoted to the insurement of accuracy in respect to the Plates of the Tartans. Indeed, with reference to the work of the Messrs Stuart, although the historical and antiquarian observations contained therein may not be without their value, nearly all Scotland at this hour adheres to the opinion of Sir Walter Scott, to the effect that John Leslie (Bishop of Ross in the sixteenth century) left no such MS. as that from which the production in question is said to have been transcribed. As an authority upon the Scottish Clan-Tartans, accordingly, it must be held as utterly worthless. It might seem invidious, however, to pursue this subject into details, though a full justification of the opinion here given would be a matter of little difficulty.

Since the present work appeared, another on the subject of the Tartans has been brought forward by the Messrs Smith, the well-known Snuff box-makers of Mauchline. It does not assume to give the Annals of the several Clans, and therefore does not anticipate the production now offered to the public. With regard to the "Authentication" of Tartans by any body or individuals, such an utter disagreement exists among the Clans themselves, and other parties professing to be high authori