In 1803 he obtained an appointment at Bermuda, as Registrar to the Court of Admiralty. This position not being agreeable, he filled it by deputy. His satires on America, which appeared in his Odes and Epistles, published in 1806, were severely criticised by Jeffrey in the Edinburgh Review. The criticism offended Moore and he challenged Jeffrey. They met at Chalk Farm, but the police prevented the duel. The combatants became great friends. A similar affair between Byron and Moore ended in originating a firm friendship between them. In 1807 he commenced the writing of poems for Irish Melodies. These poems established his fame, and, like Burns in Scotland, Moore became the idol of Ireland, and the welcome guest among the aristocracy and scholars of England and the world. In 1817 he completed Lalla Rookh; Sacred and National Melodies, Loves of the Angels, etc., followed in quick succession. He also contributed numerous political squibs to the Times, for which he received £400 per annum. Perhaps his highest and best sustained flight in the regions of pure romance" was his last imaginative work, The Epi curean. 66 Finally, in 1841-42, he collected his poems into ten - volumes and gave them to the world. After Moore's death, his illustrious friend, Lord John Russell, published his copious memoirs, journal and correspondence, in eight vol umes. Like Hood and Scott, Moore was financially embarrassed in 1818, by the conduct of his deputy at Bermuda, to the extent of about $30,000. By the aid of friends and his own efforts, this amount was paid, and Moore died in comfortable circumstances, enjoying a pension from his political friends. No poet was more universally read, or more courted in society by individuals distinguished for rank, literature, or public service. "Quick, subtle, and varied, ever suggesting new thoughts or images, or unexpected turns of expressionnow drawing resources from classic literature or the ancient fathers now diving into the human heart, and now skimming the fields of fancy-the wit, or imagination, of Moore (for they are compounded together) is a true Ariel, a creature of the elements, that is ever buoyant and full of life and spirit." F Farewell. AREWELL!-but whenever you welcome the hour That awakens the night-song of mirth in your bower Then think of the friend who once welcomed it too, And forgot his own griefs to be happy with you. His griefs may return, not a hope may remain Of the few that have brightened his pathway of pain; But he ne'er will forget the short vision that threw Its enchantment around him, while lingering with you. And still on that evening, when pleasure fills up Let Fate do her worst; there are relics of joy, She is Far from the Land. HE is far from the land where her young hero sleeps, But coldly she turns from their gaze, and weeps, She sings the wild songs of her dear native plains, Ah! little they think, who delight in her strains, He had lived for his love, for his country he died, Oh! make her a grave where the sunbeams rest, They'll shine o'er her sleep, like a smile from the west, |