THOMAS BOYD. (1867) THOMAS BOYD was born about 1867 in County Louth. He is a poet of much power and promise, as well as an active journalist. His poem To the Leanán Sidhe' is eminently Celtic in character. He has been an occasional contributor to United Ireland and other papers. TO THE LEANAN SIDHE.1 Where is thy lovely perilous abode? Glimmer the fairy turrets whereto rode Say, in the Isle of Youth hast thou thy home, Stealing on wingèd steed across the foam Or, where the mists of bluebell float beneath The red stems of the pine, And sunbeams strike thro' shadow, dost thou breathe Or by the gloomy peaks of Erigal, Wing past, and to thy lover there let fall Or is thy palace entered thro' some cliff When radiant tides are full, And round thy lover's wandering, starlit skiff, And would he, entering on the brimming flood, See caverns vast in height, And diamond columns, crowned with leaf and bud, And there, the pearl of that great glittering shell Trembling, behold thee lone, Now weaving in slow dance an awful spell, Now still upon thy throne? Leanán Sidhe (Lenawn Shee), 'The Fairy Bride.' Thy beauty! ah, the eyes that pierce him thro' Then melt as in a dream; The voice that sings the mysteries of the blue And all that Be and Seem! Thy lovely motions answering to the rhyme That keeps the stars in cadence for all time, Whether he sees thee thus, or in his dreams, An aching solitude from henceforth seems Thy luring song, above the sensuous roar, Shutting behind him Life's last gloomy door, JOHN BOYLE, EARL OF CORK. (1707-1762.) JOHN BOYLE, Earl of Cork and Orrery, was the only son of Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery, and was born Jan 2, 1707. At the age of twenty-one he married Lady Harriet Hamilton, a daughter of the Earl of Orkney. In 1732 Boyle took his seat in the House of Peers, where he distinguished himself by his opposition to Walpole. In 1738 he went to live in a house in Duke Street, Westminster, and in June of the same year he married Margaret Hamilton, an Irish lady," in whom the loss of his former countess was repaired." In 1739 he produced his edition of Roger Boyle's dramatic works in two volumes, 8vo, and in 1742 his State Letters.' In 1746 he went to reside with his father-in-law at Caledon in Ireland, and there passed four happy years. In 1751 appeared his translation of Pliny's Letters,' with observations on each Letter and an essay on Pliny's life. This ran through several editions in a few years. Its success, no doubt, caused him to hurry the preparation of his 'Remarks on the Life and Writings of Swift,' which was also very successful, though not his best work from a literary point of view. In December, 1753, he succeeded to the title of Earl of Cork. In addition to the works already mentioned Boyle wrote 'Letters from Italy,' which were published in 1774, and Memoirs of Robert Cary, Earl of Monmouth,' 1759. He also contributed several papers to The World and The Connoisseur. His translation of Pliny is not without merit, and his history of Tuscany, had he lived to finish it as begun, would have given him legitimate claim to a fair position among successful historians. His contributions to The World and The Connoisseur are read by those who still cling to that class of literature, and some of them are not without humor of a kind which no doubt was approved of in their time. SWIFT AS A PAMPHLETEER. From 'Remarks on the Life and Writings of Doctor Jonathan Swift.' In the year 1720, he began to reassume, in some degree, the character of a political writer. A small pamphlet in defense of the Irish manufacturers, was, I believe, his first essay (in Ireland) in that kind of writing: and it was to that pamphlet he owed the turn of the popular tide in his favor. His sayings of wit and humor had been handed about, and repeated from time to time among the people. They had the effect of an artful preface, and had pre-en gaged all readers in his favor. They were adapted to the understanding; and pleased the imagination of the vulgar: and he was now looked upon in a new light, and distinguished by the title of "The Dean." The flux and reflux of popular love and hatred was equally violent. They are often owing to the accidents, but sometimes to the return of reason, which, unassisted by education, may not be able to guide the lower class of people into the right track at the beginning, but will be sufficient to keep them in it, when experience has pointed out the road. The pamphlet, proposing the universal use of Irish manufactures within the kingdom, had captivated all hearts. Some little pieces of poetry to the same purpose were no less acceptable and engaging. The attachment which the Dean bore to the true interest of Ireland was no longer doubted. His patriotism was as manifest as his wit. He was looked upon with pleasure and respect, as he passed through the streets: and he had attained so high a degree of popularity, as to become the arbitrator in the disputes of property among his neighbors: nor did any man dare to appeal from his opinion, or to murmur at his decrees. But the popular affection, which the Dean had hitherto acquired, may be said not to have been universal, till the publication of the Drapier's Letters,' which made all ranks and all professions unanimous in his applause. The occasion of those letters was a scarcity of copper coin in Ireland, and to so great a degree that for some time past the chief manufacturers throughout the kingdom were obliged to pay their workmen in pieces of tin, or in other tokens of supposititious value. Such a method was very disadvantageous to the lower parts of traffic, and was in general an impediment to the commerce of the state. To remedy this evil, the late King granted a patent to William Wood, to coin, during the term of fourteen years, farthings and halfpence in England for the use of Ireland, to the value of a certain sum specified. These halfpence and farthings were to be received by those persons who would voluntarily accept them. But the patent was thought to be of such dangerous consequence to the public, and of such exorbitant advantage to the patentee, that the Dean, under the character of M. B. Drapier, wrote a letter to the people, warning them not to accept Wood's halfpence and farthings as current coin. This first letter was succeeded by several others to the same purpose, all which are inserted in his works. At the sound of the Drapier's trumpet, a spirit arose. among the people, that, in the Eastern phrase, was like unto a tempest in the day of the whirlwind. Every person of rank, party, and denomination, was convinced that the admission of Wood's copper must prove fatal to the commonwealth. The Papist, the Fanatic, the Tory, the Whig, all listed themselves volunteers under the banner of M. B. Drapier, and were all equally zealous to serve the common cause. Much heat, and many fiery speeches against the administration, were the consequence of this union: nor had the flames been allayed, notwithstanding threats and proclamations, had not the coin been totally suppressed, and had not Wood withdrawn his patent. This is the most succinct account that can be given of an affair which alarmed the whole Irish nation to a degree that in a less loyal kingdom must have fomented a rebellion but the steadfast loyalty of the Irish and their true devotion to the present royal family is immoveable: and, although this unfortunate nation may not hitherto have found many distinguishing marks of favor and indulgence from the throne, yet it is to be hoped in time they may meet with their reward. The name of Augustus was not bestowed upon Octavius Cæsar with more universal approbation, than the name of The Drapier was bestowed upon The Dean. He had no sooner assumed his new cognomen, than he became the idol of the people of Ireland to a degree of devotion, that in the most superstitious country scarce any idol ever obtained. Libations to his health, or, in plain English, bumpers, were poured forth to the Drapier as large and as frequent, as to the glorious and immortal memory of King William the Third. His effigies were painted in every street in Dublin. Acclamations and vows for his prosperity attended his footsteps wherever he passed. He was consulted in all points relating to domestic policy in general, and to the trade of Ireland in particular: but he was more immediately looked upon as the legislator of the Weavers, who frequently came in a body, consisting of fifty or sixty |