181 214 ✓ The CASTLE of INDOLENCE: An Allegorical Poem. In two Canto's. The First. The Second. Newton. the Lord TALBOT, late Chancellor of Great 241 251 VERSES occasioned by the Death of Mr. AIKMAN, a particular Friend of the Author's. To the Rev. Mr. MURDOCH, Rector of Straddishal, A PARAPHRASE on the latter Part of the Sixth Chapter SONG. One Day the God of fond Desire. SONG. Hard is the Fate of him who loves, SONG. Unless with my AMANDA blest. SONG! For ever, Fortune, wilt thou SONG. Come, gentle God of soft Desire. AN ACCOUNT: OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF Mr. J AMES. THOMSO N. IT writer is best read in his works; which can scarce fail to receive a peculiar tincture from his temper, manners, and habits; the distinguishing character of his mind, his ruling paffion, at least, will there appear undisguised. But however just this obfervation may be; and although we might fafely reft Mr. Thomson's fame, as a good man, as well as a man of genius, on this fole footing; yet the defire which the Public always shews of being more particularly acquainted with the history of an eminent author, ought not to be difappointed; as it proceeds not from mere curiosity, but chiefly from affection and gratitude to those by whom they have been entertained and instructed. 3 х THE LIFE OF To give some account of a deceased friend is often a piece of justice likewise, which ought not to be refused to his memory: to prevent or efface the impertinent fi&tions which officious Biographers are fo apt to collect and propagate. And we may add, that the circumstances of an author's life will sometimes throw the best light upon his writings; instances whereof we shall meet with in the following pages. Mr. Thomson was born at Ednam, in the shire of Roxburgh, on the 11th of September, in the year 1700. His father, minister of that place, was but little known beyond the narrow circle of his co-presbyters, and to a few gentlemen in the neighbourhood; but highly respected by them, for his piety, and his diligence in the pastoral duty: as appeared afterwards in their kind offices to his widow and orphan family. The Reverend Messrs. Riccarton and Guftbart particularly, took a most affectionate and friendly part in all their concerns. The former, a man of uncommon penetration and good taste, had very early discovered, through the rudeness of young Thomson's puerile essays, a fund of genius well deserving culture and encouragement. He undertook therefore, with the father's approbation, the chief direction of his studies, furnished him with the proper books, corrected his performances; and was daily rewarded with the pleasure of seeing his labour fo happily employed. The other reverend gentleman, Mr. Guftbart, who is still living, one of the ministers of Edin 1762. |