Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Spring Blossoms and Autumn Leaves: A Collection of Poems
The gifts of Nature are showered impartially on poor and rich alike; and Poesy - which is essentially the gift of Nature - has stirred with equal force sympathetic hearts in all ranks of life. The well-to-do have the greater advantage in being able to invite attention to their poetic thoughts; but, in Spite of all obstacles untutored singers of the lower classes have made themselves known, though too many have been perforce content to remain the mute inglorious Miltons of their own immediate circles, through lack of opportunity to be heard elsewhere.
That the working classes have produced poets to whom the world has listened, the long roll of names in the literary history of Britain, beginning with Burns and Critchley Prince, bears eloquent testimony. Yorkshire has not been silent in the sweet poetic chorus. It has, and has had, sons and daughters whose tongues have been inspired with the fervour of rich imaginations and a strong desire to uphold the cause of truth and justice.
In this little book another Yorkshireman, a true son of the soil, places before his fellows, for praise or condemnation, the outpourings of his poetic mind. Like most poets, to whom the advantages of a good education have been denied, Michael Rathmell writes directly from the heart. Without academic polish, his lines have the true ring of manly thought; and if at times the diction is not so euphonious as it might be, or his Pegasus slightly limps when it should amble gracefully along, at least the sentiments are pure and the language is forcible and appropriate.
Michael Rathmell was born at Huby, in the parish of Harewood, in the year 1828. In that pie-education age there v'vas no school of any kind in the village. With a mind singularly attracted by the beauties of Nature - and Nature is beautiful in Wharfedale - young Rathmell, as he grew up, soon felt an instinctive longing for the knowledge that books alone can teach. But the acquisition of these was difficult for a poor country lad. Almost unaided he therefore toiled up the steeps of knowledge, picking up, by diligent reading of the books which came in his way, smatterings of many subjects.
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