The Complete Poetical Works of Thomas Campbell. With an original biography, and notes. Edited by Epes Sargent

Front matter

THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS O F THOMAS CAMPBELL. IN PRESS. HIE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS OF SAMUEL ROGERS, WITH A MEMOIR. In an uniform style with the present edition of Campbell's Poeius. Also. — The Poetical "Works of LOCKIIART, MACAULAY, BULWER LYTTON, W. R. SPENCER, HORACE SMITH, and HOOD The publishers will issue all the Standard Poets in the same style, as rapidly as ia consistent with their accurate preparation. THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS 0 F THOMAS CAMPBELL; WITH AN Original Simiqrjjr, anb 801*0. EDITED BY EPES SARGENT. BOSTON: PHILLIPS, SAMPSON AND COMPANY MDCCOLIV. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by EPES SARGENT, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts Stereotyped by HOBAKT & BOBBINS, NEW ENGLAND TYPE AND STEKEOTYPE FOUNDRY, BOSTON.

Preface

. This edition of the Complete Poetical Works of Thomas Campbell possesses some advantages, it is believed, over any one hitherto published. It contains a very full Memoir, compiled from the life and letters of the poet, edited by Dr. Beattie, long his most intimate friend, and his literary executor ; and from the Reminiscences of Mr. Cyrus Redding, who was for some ten years associated with Campbell in editing the New Monthly Magazine. The poems collected in the Moxon editions are given from the text, and according to the arrangement approved by the author. To these we have added fifty poems, some of which are hardly surpassed by the best of his acknowl edged lyrics, and all of which are worthy of a permanent place in his works. For many of these we have been indebted to Dr. Beattie. Some we have copied from the 1* VI

PREFACE.

. pages of the New Monthly Magazine. The translations from the Italian are from the Life of Petrarch, by the poet. Other poems have been authenticated by a list prepared by Mr. Redding whilst he was assisting Campbell in editing the first complete edition of his works, in 1828. A more par ticular reference to the source of each poem will be found in the notes. The engraved head prefixed to the volume is a faithful likeness of the poet in his early years ; and the full-length pen-and-ink sketch, which represents him in the ease and undress of his study, is said to convey a correct impression of his appearance in advanced life. CONTENTS. LIFE OF THOMAS CAMPBELL.

Chapter I

Campbell's Birth. — His Childhood and School Days. — Enters University of Glasgow. — Anecdotes of his Parents. — His Favorite Authors. — His First Attempt in Verse.— Pons Asinorum. — His Visit to Edinburgh. — Trial of Gerald and Muir for Treason. — Academic Honors. — Translations from the Greek. — The Professors at Glasgow. — His College Friends. — Goes to Mull as a Tutor, 1 — 13.

Chapter II

Choice of a Profession. ■ — The Church, Medicine and the Law. — Tutorship in Argyleshire. — Downie. — Caroline. — '"Hamilton Paul. — Anecdote. — Amatory Consolations. — Keturn to Glasgow. — Edinburgh. — Introduction to Dr. Anderson. — Engagements with Mundell, the Bookseller. — The Professors of the University. — Young. — Jardine. — John Miller. — Society in Edinburgh. — The Poet's Friends. — Intention of going to America abandoned. — Pleasures of Hope. — His Training fur the Work. — Anecdote. — Sale of Copyright. — Publication. — Passages recited at Dinner by Stephen Keinble. — Original Introduction to The Pleasures of Hope. — Poetical World at the time, 13 — 21.

Chapter III

Campbell determines to Travel. — His Literary Plans. — Perry. — Hamburg. — Visit to Klopstock.— Route to Itatisbon described. — War Scenes. — The Monks of St. James. — Mode of Living at Ratisbon. — Economical Travelling in Germany. — Altona. — The Queen of the North. — Extracts from his Correspondence. — The Lyrical Poems com posed in Germany. — Scenes on the Danube. — English Squadron sails for the Baltic. — Campbell embarks for Leith. — Arrives in London. — Perry and his Family. — King of Clubs. — Lord Holland. — Mackintosh. — Rogers. — Death of the Poet's Father. — Arrest for Treason. — Anecdote. — Arrangements for his Mother and Sisters. — Abandons his Contemplated Poem. — Compendium of EDglish Annals. — Visit to Lord Minto. — London Society. — The Kembles and Telford. — Castle Minto. —Scott. —Lochiel. — Hohenlinden. — Anecdote of Mrs. Dugald Stewart. — The Poet and John Leyden. — Uis Prospects in Literature. — His Marriage, 24 — 38. CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Tlie Poet's Wife. — Lodgings at Pimlico. — Application to Literature. — Birth of a Boy. -The Father's Introduction to him described. — The Connection a Fortunate and Happy One. — Removal to Sydenham. — Pecuniary and Personal Matters. — Engagements with Periodical Literature. — Poems of this Period. — The Battle of Copenhagen. — The British Pcets. — Negotiation with Scott and the Booksellers. — Murray. — Nursery Amusements, — Pension. — Another Subscription Edition of his Poems. — Dines with Fox at Lord Holland's. —Outline of Gertrude of Wyoming, 38—50-

Chapter V

The Quarterly's Description of Society at Sydenham. — Tom nill's Box the Original of Paul Pry. — Completes Gertrude of Wyoming. — Jeffrey's Epistolary Critique. — Recep tion of the Poem. — Lectures before the Royal Institution. — Death of his Mother. — Analysis of the Lectures. — The Poet's Account of his Success. — Letter to Dr. Alison. — The Princess of Wales and Society at Blackheath. — Madame D'Arblay. — Theodore Hook. — 'Captain Morris. — Madame deStaGl. — A Few Weeks at Brighton. — Herschel. — Holland House. — Lord Byron. — Visit to Paris. — The Louvre. — The Apollo. — Duke of Wellington. — Legacy from MacArthur Stewart. — Letter from Sir Walter Scott. — Death of Francis Homer. — Monody. — Crabbe and Moore at Holland House. — Kemble Festi val. — Dinner of Moore, Rogers and Crabbe, at Sydenham. — The Bees and the Wasps. — Monody on the Death of Princess Charlotte. — Lectures at Liverpool and Birmingham. — James Watt. — Publication of the Specimens, 50 — 63.

Chapter VI

Lectures again before the Royal Institution. — Visits Germany to revise and extend his Lectures. — Extracts from his Letters. — Bonn. — Ratisbon and Vienna. — The Polish Countess R. — Returns to London. — New Monthly Magazine. — Sydney Smith and Moore decline to write for him. — His Whig Friends indifferent. — Contributors to the Magazine. — Mr. Cyrus Redding his Assistant Editor. — Campbell's Contributions in Prose and Verse. — The Last Man. — Theodric. — Jeffrey's Critique on this Poem. — University of London. — Another Visit to Germany. — The Exile of Erin. — The Poet elected Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow. — Death of his Wife. — The Literary Union. — Milnes. — Calcott, the Artist. — Mrs. Dugald Stewart and Baron Cuvier dine with the Poet. — Leaves the New Monthly, 63 — 74.

Chapter VII

Accounts with his Publisher. — The Metropolitan. — Anecdote of Rogers. — St. Leon ard's. — Poem on the Sea. — Lines on Poland. — Correspondence with Mrs. Arkwright. Mrs. Hemans. — Visit to the Arkwrights, in Derbyshire. — Neukomm and his Playing on the Organ. — Life of Mrs. Siddons. — The Metropolitan. — Captain Marryatt. — The Polish Association. — Leaves St. Leonard's. — Cause of Poland engrosses him. — Extracts from his Letters. — Thoughts of Standing for Parliament. — Attic in the Polish Chambers. Campbell becomes intimate with Dr. Beattie. — Hampstead. — Campbell's Ward. Joanna Baillie. — Life of Mrs. Siddons published. — Visit to Paris. — Trip to Algiers. Anecdote. — Newkomm. — The Oratorios of Job. — Return by the way of Paris to London. — His Appearance improved. — Legacy. — Letter from the South. — Visit to Scotland.

Cordial Reception. — Dinner at Glasgow, and at Edinburgh. — Visit to Lord Brougham. — Illustrated Edition of his Work3. — Turner's Designs. — Presents his Works to the CONTEXTS. IX Queen. — Literary Tasks. — Rumor of hi3 Marriage. — House in Victoria-square. His Niece. — Petrarch. — Starts for the Brunnens of Nassau. — Hallam. — German Children. — Ueturn to England. — The Pilgrim of Glencoe. — New Edition of his Works. — Retires to Boulogne. — His Last Tear. — The Closing Scene. — His Funeral. — Westminster Abbey — Horace Smith's Poem, "Campbell's Funeral," 74 — S9

Chapter VIII

Campbell's Person and Countenance. — Mr. Carruthers' Description of the Poet in hi3 Study. — Leigh Hunt's. — Compared with Gray. — Life and Habits at Sydenham. — Mrs. Campbell. — The Poet's Carelessness about Papers. — Mr. Canning's Contributions to the New Monthly. — Anecdote. — Carelessness in Money Matters. — Fondness for Money in hi3 Decline, arising from his Interest in Private and Public Charities. — Manner in Conversation. — Anecdotes. — Absence of Mind. — His Political "Views. — Visits at Mur ray's. — Aversion to Controversy. — Difference with Moore on the Publication of Byron's Life. — Discussion on the Merits of Pope. — His Organization and Character. — Habits of Study. — His Memory. — Favorite Literary Pursuits. — Composition of his Poems. — ltecollections by Osgood, the Artist. — His Works. — Conclusion, 89 — 100.

POEMS. Paje Pleascbes of Hope. — Parti 103 " " " Part II 125 Theodric : a Domestic Tale, 140 Martial Elegy : from the Greek of Tyrtæus, 159 Song of Hybrias the Cretan, 160 Fragment : from the Greek of Alcman, 161 Specimens of Translations from Medea, 161 Speech of the Chorus, in the same Tragedy, 162 O'Connor's Child j or, "The Flower of Love lies Bleeding," 167 Lochiel's Warning, 177 Ye Mariners of England : a Naval Ode, 180 Battle of the Baltic, 182 Hohenlinden, 185 Glenara, 1S6 Exile of Erin, 1ST Lord Cllin's Daughter, 1S9 Ode to the Memory of Burns, 191 Lines written on Visiting a Scene in Argyleshire, - . . . 194- The Soldier's Dream, 1°6 To the Rainbow, ■ ■ '197 The Last Man, lsj9 A Dream, '■ 202 Valedictory Stanzas to J. P. Kemble, Esq .205 X CONTENTS. Pa jo Gertrude of Wyoming.

Part 1 211 " " « Part II 221 " " " Part in 229 Lines written at the request of the Highland Society in London, when met to commemorate the 21st of March, the Day of Victory in Egypt, 243 Stanzas to the Memory of the Spanish Patriots latest killed in Resisting the Regency and the Duke of AngoulGme, 244 Song of the Greeks, 246 Ode to Winter, 243 Lines spoken by Mrs. Bartley at Drury-Lane Theatre, on the first opening of the House after the Death of the Princess Charlotte, 1S17, 250 Lines on the Grave of a Suicide, 252 Reullura, 253 The Turkish Lady, 259 The Brave Roland, 261 The Spectre Boat : a Ballad, 262 The Lover to his Mistress on her Birth-day, 264 Song : " 0, how Hard," 265 Adelgitha, 205 Lines on Receiving a Seal with the Campbell Crest, from K. M , before her Marriage, 266 Gilderoy, 2CS Stanzas on the threatened Invasion, 1803, 269 The Bitter Bann, 270 Sang: " Men of England," 277 Song: Li Drink ye to her," 278 *, The llavper, 278 The Wounded Hussar, 279 Love aud Madness : an Elegy, 281 Hallowed Ground, 284 Song : " Withdraw not yet," 287 Caroline.

Part 1 288 " Part H. To the Evening Star, 2S9 The Beech-tree's Petition, 291 Field-flowers, 292 Song: " To the Evening Star," 293 Stanzas to Painting, 294 The Maid's Remonstrance, 296 % Absence, 297 * Lines inscribed on the Monument erected by the Widow of Admiral Sir G. Campbell, K.C.B.,to the Memory of her Husband, 293 Stanzas on the Battle of Navarino, 299 Lines on Revisiting a Scottish River, 300 The " Name Unknown : " in Imitation of Klopstock, 302 Farewell to Love, 303 Lines on the Camp Hill, near Hastings, 304 Lines on Poland, 305 A Thought suggested by the New Year, 310 Song : " How Delicious is the Winning," 311 »«, CONTEXTS.

XI Margaret and Dora, n-,9 The Power of Russia, 313 lines on Leaving a Scene in Bavaria, 31g The Death-boat of Heligoland, 32i Song : " When Love came first to Earth," 303 Song : " Earl March looked on hi3 Dying Child," 324 Song : "When Napoleon was flying," 325 Lines to Julia M , sent with a Copy of the Author's Poems, 325 Drinking-song of Munich, 326 Lines on the Departure of Emigrants for New South Wales, 327 Lines on Revisiting Cathcart, 331 The Cherubs : suggested by an Apologue in the Works of Franklin, 332 Senex's Soliloquy on his Youthful Idol, 335 To Sir Francis Burdett, on his Speech delivered in Parliament, August 7, 1832, respecting the Foreign Policy of Great Britain, 336 Ode to the Germans, 337 Lines on a Picture of a Girl in the attitude of Prayer, by the Artist Gruse, in the possession of Lady Stepney, 339 Lines on the View from St. Leonard's, 340 The Dead Eagle : written at Oran, 345 Song : " To Love in my Heart," 343- ( Lines written in a Blank Leaf of La Perouse's Voyages, 349 The Pilgrim of Glencoe, 352 Napoleon and the British Sailor, 369 Benlomond, 37X The Child and Hind, 372 The Jilted Nymph, . - 077 On getting Home the Portrait of a Female Child, ' 379 The Parrot, 380 Song of the Colonists departing for New Zealand, 381 Moonlight, 383 Song on our Queen, 384 Cora Linn, or the Falls of the Clyde, 385 Chaucer and Windsor, 386 Lines suggested by the Statue of Arnold von Winkelried, 387 To the United States of North America, 388 Lines on my New Child -sweetheart, 3S8 The Launch of a First-rate, 390 Epistle from Algiers to Horace Smith, 391 To a Young Lady, 393 Fragment of an Oratorio, 394 To my Niece, Mary Campbell, 398 FUGITIVE POEMS NOW FIRST COLLECTED.

Queen of the North, 401 Hymn, 404 Chorus from the Choephorœ, 40a Elegy : written in Mull, CONTENTS.

XI Pa-re Margaret and Dora, 312 The Power of Russia, 313 Lines on Leaving a Scene in Bavaria, 316 The Death-boat of Heligoland, 321 Song: "When Love came first to Earth," 323 Song: " Earl March looked on his Dying Child," . .324 Song : " When Napoleon was flying," 325 Lines to Julia M , sent with a Copy of the Author's Poems, . . . .* 325 Drinking-song of Munich, 326 Lines on the Departure of Emigrants for New South Wales, 327 Lines on Revisiting Cathcart, 331 The Cherubs : suggested by an Apologue in the Works of Franklin, 332 Scnex's Soliloquy on his Youthful Idol, 335 To Sir Francis Burdett, on his Speech delivered in Parliament, August 7, 1832, respecting the Foreign Policy of Great Britain, 336 Ode to the Germans, 337 Lines on a Picture of a Girl in the attitude of Prayer, by the Artist Gruse, in the possession of Lady Stepney, 339 Lines on the View from St. Leonard's, 340 The Dead Eagle : written at Oran, 345 Song : " To Love in my Heart," • 348" Lines written in a Blank Leaf of La Perouse's Voyages, 349 The Pilgrim of Glencoe, 352 Napoleon and the British Sailor, 369 Benlomond, 371 The Child and Hind, 372 The Jilted Nymph, . • 377 On getting Home the Portrait of a Female Child, 379 The Parrot, 380 Song of the Colonists departing for New Zealand, 381 Moonlight, 383 Song on our Queen, 384 Cora Linn, or the Falls of the Clyde, 385 Chaucer and Windsor, 386 Lines suggested by the Statue of Arnold von Winkelried, 387 To the United States of North America, 388 Lines on my New Child-sweetheart, 388 The Launch of a First-rate, 390 Epistle from Algiers to Horace Smith, 391 To a Young Lady, 393 Fragment of an Oratorio, 394 To my Niece, Mary Campbell, 398 FUGITIVE POEMS NOW FIRST COLLECTED.

Queen os the North, 401 Hymn, 404 Chorus from the Choephorce, 405 Elegy -. written in Mull,

Chapter I

TnoMAS Campbell was born on tho 27th of July, 1777, in a house in the High-street, in Glasgow, at that time, and for fourteen years afterwards, occupied by his father, but since pulled down to make way for modern improvements. His family was of a numerous and respectable connection, and the particular branch from which he wa8 descended had been long settled in that part of the Argyle frontier which lies between Lochawe and Lochfyne. They were known as tho Campbells of Kirnan, from the name of tho estate which was occupied by the poet's grandfather, the last of his race who resided there. He died leaving three sons, and Kirnan passed into tho hands of Robert, the eldest, who was fond of display, and lavish in his hospitality, and was compelled to part with the ancestral acres to a neighboring proprietor, the son of Mrs. Campbell by a former marriage.

Robert afterwards settled in London ; distinguished him self as a political writer in defence of the Walpole administration, and died soon after its close. Archibald, the next brother, became a Presbyterian minister, and in that capacity went out to Jamaica, but subsequently removed to the Province of Virginia, where he resided till his death at an advanced age. His family there maintained a highly respectable character, and one of his sons was District Attorney during the administration of Washington. To his landed property in Virginia he gave the name of Kirnan, and his grandson Frederick, many years afterwards, succeeded under an entail to the old family Kirnan, in Argyleshire. Alexander, the youngest of the brothers, and father of the poet, was educated in mercantile pursuits. Early in life he went to Falmouth, in Virginia, where he formed valuable business connections, that enabled him to return to Glasgow and establish a commercial house, in partnership with Mr. Daniel Campbell, whose acquaintance he had made in America, and whose sister Margaret he afterwards married.

For many years the respectable firm of Campbell & Co. enjoyed a well-earned pros perity, but it was prostrated by the embarrassments in which the Revolution involved all merchants engaged in the American trade. At the age of sixty-five years Alexander found himself stripped of fortune, and involved in an expensive chancery suit ; with a wife and nine children to provide for from the scanty remnants of his estate, and a small income from two provident institutions of which he was a member. It was soon after these reverses that the poet was born. " I have uncommonly early recollection of life," says the poet, in a MS. supposed to have been written in 1842. " I remember — that is to say, I seem to remember — many circumstances which I was told had occurred when I could not have been quite three years old.

" In very early years I was boarded, during the summer, in the country near Glasgow, at Pollock Shaws, in the humble house of a stocking-weaver, John Stewart, whose wife Janet was as kind to me as my own mother could be. "During the winter, in those infantine years, I returned to my father's house, and my youngest sister taught me reading. My reading, of course, was principally in the Bible, and I contracted a liking for the Old Testament which has never left me. The recollection of this period makes an exception to the general retrospect of my life, making me somewhat sad. I was then the happiest of young human animals, at least during the months which I spent under the roof of John and Janet Stewart. It is true I slept on a bed of chaff, and my fare, as may be supposed, was not sumptuous ; but life was young within me.

Pollock Shaws was at that time rural and delightful. The stocking-weaver's house was on a flat piece of ground, half circularly enclosed by a small running stream, called by the Scotch a ' burn.' On one side above it were ascend ing fields which terminated in trees along tho high road to Glasgow. I remember no picture by Claude that ever threw me into such dreams of delight as this landscape. I remember leaping over the tallest yellow weeds with ecstasy. I remember seeing beautiful weed-flowers on the opposite side of the burn which I could not approach to pull, and wishing in my very soul to get at them ; still I could not cross the burn. There were trouts, too, in the stream ; and what a glorious event was the catching a trout ! I was happy, however. Once only in my life perfectly happy.

" At eight years old I went to the grammar-school of Glasgow, whore, among seventy other boys, I was the pupil of David Allison. He was a severe disciplinarian of the old school, and might be com pared to Gil Bias' master, ' who was the most expert flogger in all Oviedo? But I was one of his pet scholars, and he told my father that he often spared me when he ought to have whipt me, because I looked so innocent. He was a noble-looking man. At the periodical examinations by the magistrates, he looked a prince in comparison even with the Provost with his golden chain. And he c "Was kind, or if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault.' So that he was popular even among his whippees. I was so early devoted to poetry, that at ten years old, when our master interpreted to us the first Eclogue of Virgil, I was literally thrilled by its beauty.

Already we had read bits of Ovid, but he never affected me half so much as the apostrophe of Tityrus to his cottage, from which he had been driven : ' En unquam patrios longo post tempore fines, Pauperis et tuguri congestum cespite culmen Post aliquot, mea regna videns, mirabor aristas. " In my thirteenth year I went to the University of Glasgow, and put on the red gown. The joy of the occasion made me unable to eat my breakfast. I am told that race-horses, on the morning of the day when they know they are to be brought to the race, are so agitated that they refuse their oats. Whether it was presentiment, or the mere castle-building of my vanity, I had even then a day dream that I should be one day Lord Rector of the University. In my own lifetime Lord Jeffrey and myself have been the only two Rectors who were educated at Glasgow."

From the time of their misfortunes, Alexander Campbell and his wife seem to have devoted themselves almost exclusively to tho education of their younger children. He was a man of great fortitude, firmness and good sense, and of integrity unsuspected in his severest trials. With Adam Smith and Dr. Thomas Reid (from whom the poet received his baptismal name) he was on terms of friendship and intimacy. His favorite studies were in theology, history and the sciences, though he had something of a musical taste, and sang a good naval song. He was a devout man, and maintained to the last, in his house, the practice of family worship. "His were the only extemporal prayers I ever heard," said his son, " which might have been printed as they dropped from his lips." In person he was under the middle size, but compact and hardy ; his feat ures were handsome, and in his advanced years he presented a very interesting and venerable appearance.

" The first time," says an intimate friend of the poet, " that I drank tea in the house of Mr. Campbell, was in the winter of 1790. The old gentleman was seated in his arm-chair, and dressed in a suit of snuff-brown cloth, all from the same web. There were present, besides Thomas, his brother and two sisters, — Daniel, Elizabeth, and Isabella. The father, then at the age of fourscore, spoke only once to us. It was when one of his sons and I — Thomas, I think, who was then about thirteen, and of my own age — were speaking about getting new clothes, and descanting in grave earnest as to the most fashionable colors. Tom was partial to green ; I preferred blue. — 'Lads!' said the senior, in a voice which fixed our attention, ' if you wish to have a lasting suit, get one like mine.' We thought he meant one of a snuff-brown color ; but he added, ' I have a suit in the Court of Chancery, which has lasted thirty years, and I think it will never wear out.' " Tho mother of the poet was of a slight figure, with black eyes and dark hair, and features which in her advanced years became round and full, but which were originally well-chiselled and ex pressive.

She was a notable manager, a strict disciplinarian, and well educated for the age and sphere in which she lived. Such time as she could give to books was devoted to the perusal of the standard English authors of the previous generation. Of music she was pas sionately fond, and sang many of the popular melodies of Scotland with taste and feeling. Her manners were dignified, but full of vivacity and sprightliness ; and her nature, in spite of a sometime severe exercise of authority, overflowed with kindness and charity. This severity, indeed, was never manifested toward her youngest son, of whom she was very fond and proud, and on whose mind and character many of her own peculiarities were strongly impressed. In her declining years, and after her boy had become famous, she now and then manifested her maternal weakness in a manner that was amusing enough to be remembered.

Once at a silk-mercer's, where the old lady had bought a shawl, when the parcel was folded, and the usual inquiry made as to where it should be sent, "Send it," she said, "to Mrs. Campbell — Mrs. Campbell of Kirnan;" then added, " mother of the author of the Pleasures of Hope." On all occasions she spoke in the warmest and most genial language of her son Thomas. "Nothing," she said, "could be more kind and respectful than the tenor of his letters to herself." In his very school days Campbell was familiar with the popular Latin and Greek poets, and not only attempted the translation of their most admired passages, but sought to express in verse of his own the impressions that had been made upon his mind by the scenes in which the summers of his childhood had been passed. At the age of twelve years he became an enthusiastic student of the Greek literature ; and throughout his life seems to have piqued himself more on his Greek than his poetry.

His favorite English authors at this time were Milton, Pope, Thomson, Gray, and Goldsmith ; a selection which seems such as his good mother herself would have made for him, and the influence of which is visible in all his writings. From the blotted and ragged condition of his copy of the Paradise Lost, Dr. Beattie infers that this was oftener in his hands than any other book. Some of the elder English dramatists he dipped into at this period, and the Sermons of the younger Sherlock, Doddridge's Fam ily Expositor, and the Life of Colonel Gardiner, he read "with an interest and relish for which he could never account." His father used to say that he "would be much better reading Locke than scribbling so," when he caught the young poet with his manuscripts ; but failed, we imagine, by advice thus tendered to recommend the works of the philosopher over those of Smollett, Fielding and Burns, which were among tho favorites of his small library. 1* In the October term of 1701 commenced his first session at the College of Glasgow, where students have always been received at a much earlier age than at the English universities.

Before many months had elapsed, Campbell received from the college authorities prizes for English and Latin verse, and, as a third prize, a bursary or exhibition on Archbishop Leighton's foundation. Thus brilliant was the dawn of his academic career, in which he won a good title to the praises it has received, though ho himself modestly disclaims them. " Some of my biographers," he observes, " have, in their friendly zeal, exaggerated my triumphs at the university. It is not true that I carried away all the prizes, for I was idle in some of the classes, and, being obliged by my necessities to give elementary instruction to younger lads, my powers of attention were exhausted in teaching when I ought to have been learning." From the notes illustrative of this period, furnished by one of his earliest friends to his biographer, it appears that Campbell constantly cultivated his poetical talent, and composed a ballad which was printed on a slip of paper, and distributed among his fellow-students.

It comprised one hundred and forty lines, was entitled Morven and Fillan, and began with the following stanza : " Loud breathed afar the angry sprite That rode upon the storm of night, And loud the waves were heard to roar That lashed on Morven's rocky shore." In the spring of 1702 a little incident occurred in the mathematical class in which Campbell was a student, that furnished him the sub ject of a poem in a style of verse in which he was very felicitous, but which he employed chiefly for his private amusement. The occasion was an examination of the class in the books of Euclid, when one of its members, who had manifested a most proud and pleasing con sciousness of his acquirements, and was confident of making a grand display, boggled at the problem which is known, among the faculty and undergraduates, as tho Asses' Bridge.