There eke the soft delights, that witchingly The landskip such, inspiring perfect ease, Thither continual pilgrims crowded still. From all the roads of earth that pass there by; For, as they chanced to breathe on neighbouring hill, And drew them ever and anon more nigh; Till clustering round the enchanter false they hung, Ymolten with his syren melody; While o'er the enfeebling lute his hand he flung, And to the trembling chords these tempting verses sung. A brief notice of Dodsley, the celebrated publisher, will close our present remarks. ROBERT DODSLEY was born at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, in 1703. Receiving little education, he commenced life as footman in the family of a lady by the name of Lowther; but in this servile situation he indulged his natural talents for poetry and satire, and wrote the Muse in Livery, and a small dramatic piece called the Toyshop, which was accidentally seen by Pope, and attracted his attention. Interesting himself in behalf of this humble poet, Pope procured the introduction of his piece at the theatre, and manifested for him through life the most cordial and honorable friendship. The Toyshop' was succeeded, in 1736, by The King and Miller of Mansfield, and from the great success of these two pieces, Dodsley was enabled to settle himself independently as a London publisher and bookseller—a situation in which he maintained the highest respectability of character with the most benevolent intentions, and the greatest propriety of deportment. Having acquired a handsome fortune, he relinquished his business to his brother, and died a few years after his retirement, on the twenty-fifth of September, 1764. Besides the dramatic pieces already noticed, Dodsley wrote four others, the best of which was Cleone, a tragedy. He also produced an excellent little moral treatise, The Economy of Human Life; projected the Annual Register, and was the first to collect and republish the 'Old English Plays.' The following song is a perfect gem :— THE PARTING KISS. One kind wish before we part, Yet, yet weep not so, my love, Let me kiss that falling tear; Though my body must remove, All my soul will still be here. All my soul, and all my heart, And every wish shall pant for you; One kind kiss, then, ere we part, Drop a tear, and bid adieu. Lecture the Chirty-Seventh. WILLIAM HAMILTON-JOHN ARMSTRONG-RICHARD GLOVER-WILLIAM SHENSTONE -WILLIAM WHITEHEAD-THOMAS GRAY-WILLIAM COLLINS-JAMES MERRICK -WILLIAM MASON. THE greater number of the poets of Scotland of the period now under consideration, retain so little nationality, either in language or in thought, that it seems unnecessary, unless in occasional instances, longer to preserve any distinction between them and those of England. WILLIAM HAMILTON, a Scottish gentleman of education, rank, and rare accomplishments, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Bangour Ayrshire, in 1704. He was the delight of the fashionable circles of his native country, and became early distinguished for his poetical talents. In 1745, struck with the romance of the enterprise, he joined the standard of Prince Charles, and became the 'volunteer laureate' of the Jacobites, by celebrating the battle of Gladsmuir. On the discomfiture of the party, Hamilton succeeded in effecting his escape to France; but having many friends and admirers among the royalists at home, a pardon was procured for the rebellious poet, and he was soon restored to his native country, and his paternal estate. He did not, however, live long to enjoy his good fortune. His health had always been delicate, and a pulmonary complaint at length forced him to seek the warmer climate of the continent. But the change did not effect the object desired, and gradually declining, he sunk in death at Lyons, in France, in 1754. Hamilton's genius so early matured, that before he was twenty years of age he assisted Allan Ramsay in his 'Tea-Table Miscellany.' His first and best strains were dedicated to the lyric muse; and the most attractive feature of his poetry is its pure English style, accompanied with a somewhat ornate poetical diction. He possessed more fancy than feeling, and in this respect his amatory songs resemble those of the poets of Charles the Second's court. Besides his lyrics, Hamilton wrote a serious poem entitled Contemplation, and a national poem in blank verse, on the Thistle. From the latter we extract the following lines: How oft beneath Its martial influence have Scotia's sons, Through every age, with dauntless valour fought Of fame, unsullied and superior deed, Of gems emblazed, and flame of radiant gold, Professor Richardson of Glasgow, in a critique on Hamilton's poetry, quotes the following passage as a just specimen of his poetical powers: In everlasting blushes seen, Such Pringle shines, of sprightly mien; Rich gift! the soft successful arts, That best the lover's fire provoke, The lively step, the mirthful joke, Is all abroad upon her face; In bloom of youth still to survive, All charms are there, and all alive. But of all Hamilton's poems, his ballad of The Braes of Yarrow is by far the finest and most finished production. It has the merit also of having suggested to Wordsworth the themes of three of that poet's best poems. We shall therefore quote it entire : THE BRAES OF YARROW. A. Busk ye, busk ye, my bonny bonny bride, And think nae mair on the Braes of Yarrow. B. Where gat ye that bonny bonny bride? Pouing the birks on the Braes of Yarrow. Weep not, weep not, my bonny bonny bride, Pouing the birks on the Braes of Yarrow. B. Why does she weep, thy bonny bonny bride? |