MINSTRELS AND PHILOSOPHERS. 105 



and David Page resuscitated the quarries of Cornceres, 

 the synods of Fife, and the bickerings of St. Andrews ; 

 there Forbes and J. H. Bennett revived their students' 

 days, and sang their students' songs, of which the fol- 

 lowing stanza, part of an " Oineromathic " song written 

 by Forbes, may be quoted : — 



" Then whilst we live we'll spend our hours 

 'Mid all that's bright and fair ; 

 In learning's fields we'll gather flowers, 



To wreathe in Beauty's hair ; 

 For wisdom's hoary locks we'll twine 

 A crown of myrtle and of vine. 



Hurrah ! hurrah for the Rosy Band, 

 Hurrah for the Holly Tree !"* 



Other minstrels of note visited the palace, and 

 added to the charms of its many- coloured society by 

 their presence, their songs, or their conversation. 

 Among these may be mentioned Theodore Martin, 

 of " Bon Gaultier " ballad fame, the able classic 

 and man of letters, whose visits were more For- 

 besian ; James Ballantine, the author of " The Gaber- 

 lunzie Wallet," whose poetic muse partook of the 

 strain of Burns, and whose heart is still warmer than 

 the sentiments of his songs; and Professor Blackie, 

 exuberant in nationality and Homer's poesy, and 

 keenly antagonistic of democracy. In " Our Palace" 

 Dr. Day, afterwards Professor of Anatomy and Medi- 

 cine ;it St. Andrews, was ,i resident, who oft displayed 

 hi- skill of fence and facetiousnesa t<> the delight of 



• T 



The " Rosy Band " and " Bolly " formed pari of the insignia of "The 

 Brother] 1 of the Friends of Truth." 



