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FAMOUS SONGS
was partly inspired by the melody of Martyn Parker's "Ye Gentlemen of England" (date about 1630). Mrs. Ireland, who saw much of Campbell at this time (1799) says, that it was in the musical evenings at her mother's house, that he appeared to derive the greatest enjoyment. At these soirees his favourite song was "Ye Gentlemen of England," with the music of which he was particularly struck, and determined to write new words to it. Hence this noble and stirring lyric, " Ye Mariners of England," part of which, if not all, he is believed to have composed after one of these family parties. It was not, however, until after he had retired to Ratisbon, and, felt his patriotism kindled by the announcement of war with Den-mark, that he finished the original sketch and sent it home to Mr. Perry of the " Morning Chronicle" (see Dr. Beattie's " Life of Thomas Campbell").
So much esoteric fun has been made out of Longfellow's allegorical lyric " Excelsior," that I think a word or two on its upspringing may be appropriate. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes terms i t " a trumpet call to the energies of youth." Longfellow, it appears, one day came across part of the heading of a New York newspaper, bearing the seal of the State of New York, a
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