Poems of the Late Francis S. Key, Author of the Star Spangled Banner; with an Introductory Letter by Chief Justice Taney

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. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ... Sf q olificql Reeling After the regular toasts had been disposed of-- the newspaper says--the following sentiment was offered by the company: " Francis S. Key--A friend of the administration, and an incorruptible patriot; worthy of being honored, wherever genius is admired or liberty cherished, as the author' of ' The Star Spangled Banner.'" After it was drank, and the applause which it elicited, had subsided, Mr. Key rose and expressed his thanks for the very nattering notice the company had been pleased to take of him. He never had forgotten, he said, and never should forget, that he was a native of the county whose citizens were now assembled upon an occasion so gratifying to his feelings. Though no longer a resident, its people and its scenes had never ceased to be dear to him. His annual visits here had been always anticipated with pleasure, and never, even from his boyhood, had he come within the view of these mountains, without having his warmest affections awakened at the sight. What he felt now in accepting the invitation with which he had been honored, he should not attempt to express. The company had been pleased to declare their approbation of his song. Praise to a poet could not be otherwise than acceptable; but it was peculiarly gratifying to him, to know, that, in obeying the impulse of his own feelings, he had awakened theirs. The song, he knew, came from the heart, and if it had made its way to the hearts of men, whose devotion to their country and to the great cause of freedom, he so well knew, he could not pretend to be insensible to such a compliment. They had recalled to his recollection the circumstances under which he had been impelled to this effort. He had 3een the flag of his country waving over a city, ...