This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ...up or altogether remodelled after the manner in which Robert Burns was so great an adept, and by which means even he has added to his reputation. Most of these songs form a marked contrast to the other known productions of Mark Lonsdale. They possess more-grace, gaiety, and refinement; more sprightly sparkling airiness, than might have been expected from the general character of his writings. The time he left Carlisle for London is not exactly known, but it must have been somewhere about the year 1784, when about twenty-six years of age. He was too young, therefore, to have fully developed the latent powers of his mind, which were subsequently frittered away in the theatres of London, writing for his daily bread. That fine song, The Old Commodore, which must ever rank amongst the first sea-songs in the English language, was, in all probability, produced for Sadler's Wells. In one of the plays called Marx' Holiday, we find that the character of the " Gouty 'Commodore " was performed by one Mr. Boyce. It has only recently, however, been printed as the production of Mark Lonsdale, although his relatives and some of the older inhabitants of Caldewgate have long been aware of the real authorship. Indeed, so little care has been taken of the MSS, that we have been informed by one who was well acquainted with the family, sufficient material for at least two volumes has been either lost or destroyed. Diligent search has been made, but not a vestige can be found, and we are afraid that the public have now received all they ever will receive of the writings of this remarkable man. We cannot close this short account of his life without thanking the various members of the family for supplying us with whatinformation was...