HON. JAMES BROWN
191
which have been sent us, this is perhaps the cleverest.” A copy was also sent to the author’s brother, Andrew Brown, then living near Dundee, Scotland, and was probably published at about the same time in the Scottish newspapers.
The poem is supposed to have been re-cast later by its author as the original MS. referred to as now extant contains two more verses than as originally published, and bears date Feb. 26th, 1864, and is thought to have not been published heretofore in its present form.
This poem is destined to travel along down through the ages in the procession with Burns’ own works, and will be read as long as Burns is remembered. It is a credit to its author and would not have been unworthy the genius of the great poet himself.
The Hon. James Brown’s work as a statesman was unfortunately circumscribed by provincial boundary lines, and is therefore limited in appreciation, but as the author of “The Deil’s Reply” to Robert Burns, his name and fame will become more and more world wide as the years roll by.
D. F. Maxwell.
North Sydney, April 20th, 1903. V V
The Soudan—in 1885.
Shrill with prophetic pain,
Blown sharp and clear and keen—as lightning-flash
Rends velvet gloom in twain ;
With opening eyes of torches thro’ the shroud
And veil of sand-wove mist ;
Ringed round with steel and crested with red fire,
Each helmet glory-kissed ;
