The McGonagall has been up Parnassus’ height! He has just issued a poem entitled “Beautiful Monikie,” which is prefaced by the following imposing introduction:– “A New Poem by William McGonagall, Step Row, Dundee. The Bard of Tel-el-Kebir, El-Teb, The Capture of Lucknow, &c. Patronised by Her Majesty and Lord Wolseley, of Cairo (!!), H.R.H. The Duke of Cambridge, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, and General Graham; also the Nobility and Gentry, &c.” In “Beautiful Monikie” the writer seems have made a bold attempt to soar into the realms of pastoral poetry — with what success may seen from the following quotation. After describing the trees, shrubberies, walks, and beautiful green sward of Monikie, “where excursionists can dance until fatigue doth them retard,” the illustrious poet finishes up with the following delightful eulogy:–
Monikie is as bonnie a place as ye could wish to see,
And about eleven or twelve miles from bonnie Dundee;
It’s the only place I know of to enjoy a holiday,
Because there’s a hall of shelter there to keep the rain away.
Then there’s a huge park, a very suitable place
For the old and young if they wish to try a race,
It’s there they can enjoy themselves during the livelong summer day,
Near to the little purling burn, meandering on its way,
And emptying itself into the pond of Monikie,
Which supplies the people with water belonging to Dundee.
Brechin Herald, 5th May 1891
