almost even neglect, will not surprize me in my quarters. I have sent you a proof impression of Beugo's work for me, done on Indian paper, as a trifling, but sincere testimony with what heart-warm gratitude I am, &c. Dear sir, No. XXVI. From Dr. BLAIR. Argyle-square, Edinburgh, 4th May, 1787. I was favoured this forenoon with your very obliging letter, together with an impression of your portrait, for which I return you my best thanks. The success you have met with, I do not think was beyond your merits; and if I have had any small hand in contributing to it, it gives me great pleasure. I know no way in which literary persons who are advanced in years, can do more ser vice to the world, than in forwarding the efforts of rising genius, or bringing forth unknown merit from obscurity. I was the first person who brought out to the notice of the world, the poems of Ossian; first, by the Fragments of ancient Poetry, which I published, and afterwards, by my setting on foot the undertaking for collecting and publishing the Works of Ossian; and I have always considered this as a meritorious action of my life. Your situation, as you say, was indeed very singular; and in being brought out all at once from the shades of deepest privacy to so great a share of public notice and observation, you had to stand a severe trial. I am happy that you have stood it so well; and, as far as I have known or heard, though in the midst of many temptations, without reproach to your character and behaviour. You are now, I presume, to retire to a more private walk of life; and I trust will conduct your self there, with industry, prudence, and honour. You have laid the foundation for just public es teem. In the midst of those employments, which your situation will render proper, you will not, I hope, neglect to promote that esteem, by cultivat ing your genius, and attending to such productions of it, as may raise your character still higher. At the same time, be not in too great a haste to come forward. Take time and leisure to improve and mature your talents. For on any second production you give the world, your fate, as a poet, will very much depend. There is no doubt a gloss of novelty, which time wears off. As you very pro perly hint yourself, you are not to be surprized, if in your rural retreat you do not find yourself surrounded with that glare of notice and applause which here shone upon you. No man can be a good poet without being somewhat of a philosopher. He must lay his account, that any one, who exposes himself to public observation, will occasionally meet with the attacks of illiberal censure, which it is always best to overlook and despise. He will be inclined sometimes to court retreat, and to disappear from public view. He will not affect to shine always; that he may at proper seasons come forth with more advantage and energy. He will not think himself neglected if he be not always praised. I have taken the liberty, you see, of an old man, to give advice and make reflections, which your own good sense will I dare say render unnecessary. As you mention your being just about to leave town, you are going, I should suppose, to Dumfries-shire to look at some of Mr. Miller's farms. I heartily wish the offers to be made you there, may answer; as I am persuaded you will not ea sily find a more generous and better-hearted proprietor to live under, than Mr. Miller. When you return, if you come this way, I will be happy to see you, and to know concerning your future plans of life. You will find me by the 22d of this month, not in my house in Argyle-square, but at a coun try house at Restalrig, about a mile east from Edinburgh, near the Musselburgh road. Wishing you all success and prosperity, I am, with real re gard and esteem, Dear sir, Yours sincerely, HUGH BLAIR. Dear sir, No. XXVII. FROM Dr. MOORE. Clifford-street, May 23d, 1787. I had the pleasure of your letter by Mr. Creech, and soon after he sent me the new edition of your poems. You seem to think it incumbent on you to end to each subscriber a number of copies propor1. aate to his subscription money, but you may depend upon it, few subscribers expect more than one copy, whatever they subscribed; I must inform you however that I took twelve copies for those subscribers, for whose money you were 80 accurate as to send me a receipt, and lord Eglintoun told me he had sent for six copies for himself, as he wished to give five of them as presents. Some of the poems you have added in this last edition, are very beautiful, particularly the Winter Night, the Address to Edinburgh, Green grow the Rashes, and the two songs immediately following; the latter of which is exquisite. By the way, I imagine, you have a peculiar talent for such compositions, which you ought to indulge. No kind of poetry demands more delicacy, or higher polishing. Horace is more admired on account of his Odes than all his other writings. But nothing now The songs interspersed in the Correspondence with Mr. Thomson, bear ample testimony to the accuracy of Dr. Moore's judgment. E. added is equal to your Vision, and Cotter's Satur day Night. In these are united fine imagery, natural and pathetic description, with sublimity of language and thought. It is evident that you already possess a great variety of expression and command of the English language, you ought therefore to deal more sparingly, for the future, in the provincial dialect-why should you, by using that, limit the number of your admirers to those who understand the Scottish, when you can extend it to all persons of taste, who understand the English language? In my opinion you should plan some larger work, than any you have as yet attempted. I mean, reflect upon some proper subject, and arrange the plan in your mind, without beginning to execute any part of it till you have studied most of the best English poets, and read a little more of history.-The Greek and Roman stories you can read in some abridgment, and soon become master of the most brilliant facts, which must highly delight a poetical mind. You should also, and very soon may become master of the heathen mythology, to which there are everlasting allusions in all the poets, and which in itself is charmingly fanciful. What will require to be stu died with more attention, is modern history; that is, the history of France and Great Britain, from the beginning of Henry the seventh's reign. I know very well you have a mind capable of attaining knowledge by a shorter process than is commonly used, and I am certain you are capable of making a better use of it, when attained, than is generally done. I beg you will not give yourself the trouble of writing to me when it is inconvenient, and make no apology when you do write, for having postponed it-be assured of this, however, that I shall always be happy to hear from you. I think my friend Mr. told me that you had some poems in manuscript by you, of a satirical and humorous nature (in which, by the way, I think you very strong), which your prudent friends prevailed on you to omit; particularly one called Somebody's Confession; if you will entrust me with a sight of any of these, I will pawn my word to give no copies, and will be obliged to you for a perusal of them. I understand you intend to take a farm, and make the useful and respectable business of husbandry, your chief occupation: this I hope will not prevent your making occasional addresses to the nine ladies who have shewn you 'such favour, one of whon visited you in the auld clay biggin. Virgil, before you, proved to the world that there is nothing in the business of husbandry inimical to poetry; and I sincerely hope that you may af ford an example of a good poet being a successful farmer. I fear it will not be in my power to visit Scotland this season; when I do, I'll endeavour to find you out, for I heartily wish to see and converse with you. If ever your occasions call you to this place, I make no doubt of your paying me a visit, and you may depend on a very cordial welcome from this family. I have just time to write the foregoing*, and to tell you that it was (at least most part of it) the effusion of a half-hour I spent at Bruar. I do not mean it was extempore, for I have endeavoured to brush it up as well as Mr. N's chat, and the The humble petition of Bruar-water to the duke of Athole. |