in strong terms. The turn of his mind does not seem to have led him to study the science of quantity, for proficiency in which Dr. Reid and Dr. Smith were so eminent. What ever light such an autipathy may throw upon the peculiarity of his mental character, it is certain that it produced no good effect during the period of his professorship.

The discoveries of Newton had excited an uncommon degree of ardour in mathematical study, among the British youth. The great M'Laurin had the merit of effecting this in Scotland. Surpassed by none in his eminence as a mathematician, at once acquainted with the ancient and the modern geometry, and profoundly skilled in the modern analysis, he was also an carly admirer of the doctrines taught by Sir Isaac. To these qualifications he added those of being an admirable classical scholar, and a very popular lecturer on the mathematics. I rather ima gine, however, that the same success

as

a teacher had not been experienced by him in Aberdeen, which he met with in Edinburgh, because a zeal for this kind of study was not remarkably cherished there, for a considerable time after M Laurin (about 1721) went to Edinburgh.

Besides the study of mathematics, Beattie's attention was, during the second session, directed to his tory, geography, chronology, with an introduction to natural history.

I have not been able to ascertain whether Beattie studied any time under professor William Duncan, the translator of Cicero's Orations, &c. and the translator also (a fact which is not generally known) of the second volume of what is commonly called, "Watson's Horace." Dun

can succeeded Dr. Verner, about the month of July, 1752.

Dr. Beattie, as well as almost all his relations, possessed a very correct ear for music. Even at a period preceding this, the natural impulse of his mind had induced him to cultivate his talents in this way; and it is certain that he practised, in the most busy part of his life, what he recommended to other stu. dents in his works, and what constituted the favourite amusement of Luther and of Milton, in the intervals between their usual hours of se rious study.

Beattie was now about to enter the highest class in the academical arrangements in the university of Aberdeen. He could not have been more fortunate in a professor, than in the person who at that time was to be his teacher; this was Dr. Alexander Gerard.

The regular course of Marischal College is completed in four years, Beattie, in the usual time, took his degree. To the greater number of young men this must be considered as one of the most important pe, riods of their lives. When they were sent to the university, the de sign was, that they should be thereby fitted to discharge with proprie ty and honour the particular duties of the profession of which they had made choice. A youth of modesty or delicacy, however aspiring his views, however slender his finances, and whatever sense he might have of the difficulties which he had to encounter, before he accomplished his aims, was now obliged to declare himself. If his parents, or, as in the present case, if others had supported him, or had exerted themselves to the utmost in his behalf, it

was

was reasonable that some plan should be laid down, whereby either he or they should have the prospect of being remunerated.

Whatever gratitude Beattie felt for the kindness and generosity of his brother, he was under little difficulty of this kind. Though possessed of genius, his finances were not very ample. And those in his circumstances, who aspire to the advantages of a liberal education, are in Scotland generally devoted to the church. To this sacred profession easier access is obtained in all countries, than to those of a physician or a lawyer. Beattie had been early destined for a clergyman, but, through causes which will hereafter appear, this original design was frustrated.

About the beginning of April, 1753, he returned to Laurencekirk, and waited patiently for some employment, which would not greatly interrupt the progress of his studies.

Beattie's character, as a good scholar, and a young man of genius, was justly, on his return from college, so very high, that he ran little risk of being an unsuccessful candidate for any of those situations, which are in general request by such persons as propose to be, and those who in Scotland are, students in divinity.

While Mr. Beattie resided with his brother, the neighbouring parish of Fordoun was deprived of its schoolmaster; he applied for, and easily obtained, that humble appointment. Its emoluments were small. He was then about the age of nineteen.

With what ability he acquitted himself as teacher of a school, in a ́ remote country village, cannot be VOL. XLVII.

described with the utmost accuracy. What one would not have expected, I have been informed, upon evidence the most unquestionable, that he was a very severe disciplinarian. It is likely that he did not sit very easy under his new employment. His views were more aspiring than his situation at that time could warrant the hope of ever having it in his power to gratify.

Beattie's manner and address are represented as having been at this time blunt, and rather uncultivated, He had hitherto but little opportu, nity, either of conversing or associating with his superiors in regard to fortune.

One of his earliest pa

trons was Mr. Francis Garden, afterwards lord Gardenstone. This man was a kindred spirit, both in his favourite studies and his convivial talents. Disposed to express himself with a frankness and freedom, bordering upon what the more squeamish part of mankind would term rudeness and incivility, he had much of the milk of human kindness. His learning was neither ac curate nor extensive. He possessed, however, a considerable knowledge of the Latin tongue, and had ac quired, at an early period of his life, a facility in versification. His acuteness, the readiness with which he could express himself in distinct and appropriate language upon any subject, has been long acknow ledged in Scotland. When a judge, he was always candid, and by an amiable infirmity, he leaned to the weak side, and was instinctively, what the law of England requires all judges to be by a sense of duty, "counsel for the accused."

Mr. Garden was sheriff of Kincardinshire, when Beattie went to Fordoun. He did Mr. Beattie a 3 D service

service, which, at that period of his history, was not a small one. He afforded him his patronage, and introduced him to the principal gentlemen of the county; not the principal in point of fortune alone, but to those also who were qualified to appreciate real talents, and who possessed the aristocracy of genius. It must be confessed, that few parochial schoolmasters ought to be compared with Mr. Beattie; there are, however, still fewer patrons like lord Gardenstone.

While at Fordoun he resided in the house of James Anderson. The rev. Mr. Forbes, at that time minister of the parish, shewed him many marks of kindness. He very soon discovered Beattie's abilitics, and, though he held them in just estimation, he was not blind to his defects. Beattie's situation, as parish schoolmaster, was early perceived by Mr. Forbes not to be very congenal to his inclination, nor ade. quate to his deserts. He generously wished that an opportunity might occur, on which it might be in his power to afford him those recommendations which he so justly deserved. An opportunity of this kind, however, did not present itself for some time.

The discharge of the duties of Beattie's office, was not incompatible with his attendance at the divinity hall; at least what is reckoned attendance.

When Mr. Beattie enrolled himself as a student of divinity, Dr. Robert Pollock, and Mr. John Lumsden, held the chairs of theology in the university of Aberdeen; the former in Marischal College, and the latter in King's College.

At Fordoun he amused himself by composing little poems. Many

of these were shewn to his friends, who universally agreed in their ad miration of his poetical talents. Mr. B. sent those which he most esteemed to the Scots Magazine, sometimes dated from Aberdeen, at other times from Kincardinshire, or from Fordoun.

There is some difficulty in ascertaining exactly all the verses contributed by him, because others, who had a great facility of expressing themselves in rhyme, were much in the practice, at that time, of sending their verses to the same publication. The greater number of Mr. Beattie's pieces have his name affixed to them, and even though they had not, a good judge would easily distinguish the more important of his compositions.

It is probable that soon after he went to Fordoun, he was engaged in the translation of Virgil's Pastorals. This he published in the first edition of his poems. In the preface we are informed that it was written "at a very early time of "life, when solitude left the mind at "liberty to pursue, without any "fixed design, such amusements

as gratified the present hour."

Among those fugitive pieces which were not re-published by Dr. Beattic, there is one that was composed on his reading the declaration of war which was made upon the 17th of May, 1756. This poem is dated from Kincardinshire, 7th of June, of the same year. A short extract from it will afford some idea of his talent at versification at that time.

to write an epitaph. It is to be the church yard of Lethnet, in Anseen, engraved on a tomb-stone, in gusshire, the parish in which the accident happened. I have inserted it at full length, as few have an opportunity of seeing it.

To this grave is committed All that the grave can claim Of two brothers, David and John Leitch, Who,on the VII.of October,MDCCLVII. Both unfortunately perished in the Westwater,

The one in his XXII. the other in his XVIII. year.

Their disconsolate father, John Leitch, tenant in Bonnington, Erects this monument to the memory of These amiable youths; Whose early virtues promised Uncommon comfort to his declining years,

And singular emolument to society.

O thou! whose steps in sacred reverence tread

These lone dominions of the silent dead, On this sad stone a pious look bestow, Nor uninstructed read this tale of woe; And while the sigh of sorrow heaves thy breast,

Let each rebellious murmur be supprest; Heav'n's hidden ways to trace, for us how vain!

Heaven's wide decrees how impious to arraign!

Pure from the stains of a polluted age, In early bloom of life, they left the stage; Not doom'd in ling'ring woe to waste their breath,

One moment snatch'd them from the pow'r of death.

They liv'd united, and united died; Happy the friends whom death cannot divide!

and place him in the way of improving himself in his favourite pursuits. The first opportunity of this kind was in consequence of a vacancy in the grammar school of Aberdeen, occasioned by the death of Mr. John Smith, one of the masters.

The day appointed for the election, was the 23d of November, 1757. Two candidates only ap'peared, Mr. James Smith and Mr. Beattic. Next day, the 24th, Mr. Smith was declared to be the successful candidate. Mr. Beattie, however, did not retire from this contest with disgrace. The examinators gave him reason to expect, that, if not otherwise better provided for, he might expect to be preferred to the first vacant ushership; and that he ought not to be discouraged.

Beattie returned to his old employment at Fordoun, not without the expectation that he might succeed according to his wishes. He, however, did not procure, because he did not apply for, an appointment to any other school.

About seven months after his competition with Mr. Smith, another vacancy occurred in the grammar school of Aberdeen. Mr. Alexander Reid, one of the masters, and a preacher of the gospel, was presented to the church of Kemnay, in Aberdeenshire.

Mr. Beattie was not desired, by those who had formerly examined him, to come forward a second time; his brother and Mr. Forbes, however, did not fail to urge him to make a second attempt. For reasons best known to himself, he would not comply with their solicitations, and therefore did not make his appearance on the day appointed. Two candidates appeared, and, when examined, appeared to be un

fit for the office. The patrons now considered themselves at liberty, without further delay, to give the preference to one who, they knew, was fully competent to acquit himself with honour, with credit to the school, and benefit to the public. Their choice fell on Mr. Beattie, who being invited by them to accept of the vacant office, repaired to the spot, and being inducted after the usual manner, taught there upwards of two years.

The time which Beattie passed as a teacher in the grammar school, seems to have been very agreeably spent. He was more in his element, and,as a natural consequence of that situation, he either spontaneously, or at the recommendation of his friends, determined to exhibit a specimen, to the public, of what he was capable of performing.

It is not unworthy of remark, that the same paper which contained the first intimation of his intention to publish a volume of poems, contained, also, a notification of the death of his colleague, Mr. James Smith, who had only taught two years and three months.

In the first edition of his poems, we find an epitaph, which it is plain he designed for himself. riosity of its kind, because it is always of importance to know what an author thinks of himself, espe cially when contemplating an event so solemn as that of his own death. It is entitled an epitaph on *****

Safe where no cares their whelming billows roll,

No doubts bewilder, and no hopes betray,