The spring will come wi' sunny showers, Then birds will sing on ilka bush, The lark, the blackbird, and the thrush The sun will spread its smiling rays, ST ANDREW'S DAY. November's blasts frae ilka tree Turning our hearts to love and peace, Roused by the storm-cloud's beacon blaze, Rush madly on to join the strife, True types of Caledonia's sons But far we'll banish wrath this morn : Peace and goodwill on earth to man Whase patriot heart throbs loud wi' pride GEORGE PIRIE, POR twenty-two years editor and proprietor of the Guelph Herald (Ontario), was born in Aberdeen in 1799, and died in America in 1870. He was a vigorous writer, an independent thinker, and the author of a number of songs possessing clear tokens of the true lyrical ring, and uniting in fitting form those thoughts and feelings which are the true themes of lyrical poetry. Mr Pirie, without thoughts of literary labour, started early in life for himself, got some acquaintance with business in London, "went out to Canada," says the Scottish American Journal, “caught there the weary asthma which thereafter became his life-long companion; returned to his native city; made an almost boyish marriage; carried on business there with no great success; finally returned to Canada; settled and worked on a bush farm for ten years, then gave it up; married a second time; and for the last twenty-two years of his life conducted the Guelph Herald as editor and proprietor. In his capacity of secretary for twenty-one years of the Guelph St. Andrews Society, he had much opportunity to assist the friendless. As a member of the Grammar and Common School Board he also took a great interest and an active part in promoting the cause of education in the place of his abode. Pirie was conservative in his politics, and an unwavering friend to his party. His patriotism more than once had ample room for marked expression, and his poetical vein for exercise, when the volunteer force of his adopted land had to be called out. We are told by one of the local journals which recorded his death that when he espoused a cause or took up a question he held to it firmly, because he judged it was right, and more than once sacrificed his own Mr interests in advocating what he considered was for the public good."" A small selection of his "Lyrics" was printed in 1874, but the publication was not so complete as could have been desired in consequence of the loss of a large number of his poetical writings. It contains the popular and widely-known song, entitled "John Alcohol." BONNY MARY GREME. "Now sit ye here, my sister dear, A blight's come o'er our forest flower, "I feel nae pain, but only when But tell me what gars a' the glen My mother glooms, and father fumes, But then, he smiles so when he says "I asked yestreen auld aunty Jean, But then he only laughs and says, 'My bonny Mary Græme!""" SONS OF ST. ANDREW. Sons of St. Andrew stand True to your native land, Land of the lake and glen, Hail to the banner blue, Grasp we each brother's hand, Far from Clan Alpin Dhu, Warms to the heather. Sages of peerless fame, Heroes of deathless name, Minstrels whose notes of flame, Kindled the heather, Such were our sires of old, Guarding their mountain hold, Peasant and Baron bold Banded together. Wooers to win her came, Roman and rover Dane, Saxon and Norman then Thought to have bound her; Ours is no summer flower, Braving the tempest test, Grows the red heather. R. FLEMING S a native of Bathgate, having been born in that town in 1856. He lost both parents while he was quite a child-his father having died when he was only two years of age, and his mother departed this life while he was yet at school. He received a very fair education, and has a vivid recollection of reading the newspaper to his mother, whose sight was imperfect, on Saturday afternoons. The first portion perused was the "poet's corner." Deprived of the care of a mother, and the helping hand of a father, he went to live with a brother, and was sent to learn the printing profession in his native town. He served his apprenticeship in the office of the West Lothian Courier, published in Bathgate. At present he has the charge of a small printing office in Kirriemuir. He has written numerous poems, giving evidence of considerable facility of expression, and the following are favourable specimens of his muse. THE BROOMY BRAES O' HAME. When far frae kindred and frae hame, And views the scenes o' ither lands- Tho' beauteous be their every form, Yet they appear but tame Compared to scenes aye near the heart- The sun may gild the mountain's brow, The birds of other shores may sing Wi' sweet an' richer tone; But nought to me sae sweet could be, His rousing songs of praise, upon The daisy and the buttercup Lie hidden 'mang the dew, The heather aye is bloomin' whaur |