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FAMOUS SONGS
Later he wrote more cheerfully: " The old Bard is prepared for his final journey. At peace with himself, his God, and the world. My last Christ-mas was the fulfilment of rejoicing. Although a failing man I had plenty of respect and abund-ance of cheer. Three of my children were ab-sent—professionally engaged in other States. My two eldest girls are on the stage. My wife has wholly recovered. I have no debts, and not a single obligation to meet. In honour of the Irish nation I have composed an anthem. The weather here is clear and bracing, but 20 degrees below zero, nipping cold for a patriarch verging ninety. God bless you and yours. May we meet in the unknown sphere." The anthem mentioned in this letter, the words of which are by Mrs. M. A. Ford, known in the Amer-ican literary world as " Una," is entitled " Green and Gold."
In another letter Crouch said: "I went to hear my' Green and Gold' played by a military orchestra yesterday. I am to conduct it on Monday night, and also to sing, at eighty-nine, ' Kathleen Mavourneen' in public. Proof posi-tive this that your uncle lives. How I shall acquit myself the result will show. In mental spirits I am as bright as ever, but physically I am worn out. My two daughters appear in the
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