Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/182

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MONTGOMERY. 157

and beautiful. Yet more interesting than any combi nation of hill and dale, inasmuch as mind must ever hold superiority over matter, was an interview with the poet Montgomery, who came to call on us at our hotel. He is small of stature, with an amiable countenance, and agreeable, gentlemanly manners. His conversa tion is unassuming, though occasionally enlivened by a vein of pleasantry. Some of the company happening to remark, that they were not aware of his having been born in Scotland, he replied that he had left it in his early years, adding, with naivete, " You know Dr. Johnson has said, there is hope of a Scotchman if you catch him young."

We left Birmingham and Sheffield with warm feel ings of gratitude for the kindness which had marked our stay in both places, and which will always mingle with our recollections of their scenery.

��T is something to be called The " toy-shop of a continent," by one Whose voice was fame. And yet a name like this Hath not been lightly earned. Hard hammerings And fierce ore-meltings, mid a heat that threats To vitrify the stones, have wrought it out On the world s anvil.

Ponderous enginery,

And sparkling smithies, and a pallid throng, Who toil, and drink, and die, do service here,

�� �