C HIM INGS OF THE HEATHER BELLS. 



But among those into whose activities of life 

 the plant so largely enters have arisen the men and 

 women who have entwined the bonnie blooming 

 Heather in evergreen garlands of song, redolent of 

 pathos and love. 



Among the earliest references to the Heather in 

 poetry is that of Scotland's first ballad singer, Thomas 

 the Rhymer, who speaks of "Flodden's high and heath- 

 ery side." 



The ballad of "King Henrie" runs "Oh pu'd has 

 he the green Heather, and made to her a bed." 



The Heather has also entered largely into the 

 martial songs of Scotland, and nothing could be more 

 appropriate than the binding together of her military 

 glory with the memory of her children, by figurative 

 bands of purple Heather. 



The Cameron Men 



I hear the pibroch sounding, sounding, 



Deep o'er the mountain and glen, 

 While light, springing footsteps are trampling the heath 



'Tis the march of the Cameron men. 



Oh, proudly they walk, but each Cameron knows 



He may tread on the heather no more; 

 But boldly he follows his chief to the field 

 Where his laurels were gathered before. 



Mary Maxwell Campbell. 

 193 1; 



