AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF Mr. JAMES THOMSON. T is commonly faid, that the life of a good IT writer is beft read in his works; which can fcarce fail to receive a peculiar tincture from his temper, manners, and habits; the diftinguishing character of his mind, his ruling paffion, at leaft," 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 fhews of being more particularly acquainted with the history of an eminent author, ought not to be difappointed; as it proceeds not from mere curiofity, but chiefly from affection and gratitude to thofe by whom. they have been entertained and inftructed. X THE LIFE OF To give fome account of a deceased friend is often a piece of juftice likewife, which ought not to be refused to his memory: to prevent or efface the impertinent fictions which officious Biographers are fo apt to collect and propagate. And we may add, that the circumftances of an author's life will fometimes throw the beft light upon his writings; inftances whereof we shall meet with in the following pages. Mr. Thomfon was born at Ednam, in the fhire of Roxburgh, on the 11th of September, in the year 1700. His father, minifter of that place, was but little known beyond the narrow circle of his co-prefbyters, and to a few gentlemen in the neighbourhood; but highly refpected by them, for his piety, and his diligence in the paftoral duty: as appeared afterwards in their kind offices to his widow and orphan family. The Reverend Meffrs. Riccarton and Gufthart particularly, took a most affectionate and friendly part in all their concerns. The former, a man of uncommon penetration and good tafte, had very early discovered, through the rudeness of young Thomson's puerile effays, a fund of genius well deferving culture and encouragement. He undertook therefore, with the father's approbation, the chief direction of his ftudies, 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. Gufthart, who is ftill living *, one of the ministers of Edin 1762. |