CHAPTER VI.

METRICAL COMPOSITIONS.

Mostly written during his apprenticeship—Poetry and swamp-work—Walter Aimwell’s first poem—Exercises his powers in rhythmic composition for their own benefit—The pious dead—My friend—The stranger—Charity—Shipwreck of life—A pretty hymn—Fourth of July—Presidential contest of 1840—A riddle—Walter Aimwell’s own opinion of his poetic powers—Other kinds of usefulness, 120