John Stuart Blackie. A biography

Preface

THE writer wishes to acknowledge her great indebtedness to Mrs Blackie, who not only intrusted her with the letters, MSS., and papers from which the biography has been compiled, but has shown the most constant and helpful interest in the work; to Dr Stodart Walker, who supplied her with notes on the Professor’s relations with the students of Edinburgh University, and on the incidents of his last illness ; to Professor Mackinnon, for his important contribution to the history of the Celtic Chair; to Professor Cowan, for his reminiscences of the Greek Class, and for information referring to the Travelling Greek Scholarship ; to Dr Donaldson, Principal of the University of St Andrews, for information with regard to University Reform ;

Vil PREFACE.

to Dr Forbes White, Mr Burness, Dr Gardiner, Mr George Seton, Sir Arthur Mitchell, and other friends of Professor Blackie’s, for reminiscences and anecdotes of importance to the presentation of his individuality; to Sir Theodore Martin, K.C.B., for greatly esteemed interest and suggestions; to the executors of the late Mr J. A. Froude, and to many others, for their kind permission to quote from letters written to Professor Blackie; to the executors of the late Sheriff Nicolson, for their kind permission to make quotations from his poems; to Mr David Douglas, for furnishing statistics of publications ; and, finally, to Mr Blackwood, for his unwearied interest and encouragement during the progress of the biography.

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Chapter I. Parentage And Childhood

1809-1819.

PAGE A Stuart race of doctors—An old Border family—A line of Naismiths—Childish sports—His first school—A wilful boy—His mother’s death . , : : : 1

Chapter II

Early patriotic proclivities—At Marischal College—Apprenticeship to the Law—A solemn period—Decision for the ministry—At Edinburgh University—Amateur “slum” work—Record in Moral Philosophy class—A young neophyte—Moderates and Evangelicals—His renown as a Latinist—A leader of the Moderates—A turning-point— Studies in nature . : ; ; : eG

Chapter III. Student Life In Gottingen

Mental difficulties—Womanly misgivings—A stormy voyage

—Jolly German students—Beer and tobacco—Professor Heeren—-Professor Saalfeld—A German Sunday—German socialities—A walking tour—Visit to Luther’s birthplace —Luther and Goethe

Chapter IV. Student Life 1n Berlin

1829-1830.

Feelings of loneliness—Professor Neander—Professor Raumer

—Studies in English pronunciation— Widening views of lfe—The mental transition—Growing distaste for the Church—A proposed presentation at Court—Projected journey to Italy—Results of German residence

CHAPTER VY.

ROME.

1830-1831.

Leave-takings—Pickpockets in church—Interest in Italian art—Outburst against Roman Catholicism—Desires for classical study—A prisoner on parole—At Naples—Visit to Tivoli—More police difficulties—Satire on Catholicism —A religious transition—Christmas Eve with the Bunsens —Study of modern Greek—Longings for Greek travel— Letter from Chevalier Bunsen—An archeological paper —Farewell to the Eternal City at

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CONTENTS. x1

Chapter VI

On tramp through Italy—Arrival at Bonn—In London—Outcome of German residence—Decides for the Bar—Scotland’s greatest Greek scholar—Lord peer. at Aberdeen . 3 : 2 j : . 124

CHAPTER: VII.

YEARS OF STRUGGLE.

1832-1837.

Dislike for the Law—Merry supper-parties—Translation of ‘Faust ’—Carlyle’s verdict on the translation—Reception of the translation—Estimate of Wordsworth—The Speculative Society—The Juridical Society—Literary contributions — Cultivating philosophic calm — ‘“ Sociality and activity ”—Scottish walking tours . ; : mls9

Chapter VIII. The Test Acts. 1837-1840

A tender friendship—Greek metre and music—Doubts as to fitness for Law—Appointment to Aberdeen Latin Chair— The Westminster Confession—Making a declaration—A. clerical hornet’s nest— Letter in explanation and defence— Presbyterial reception of the letter—The case in Court— Again in Been eae with Miss Oe A fantastic dress : LG xu CONTENTS.

Chapter IX

A love episode—Disillusionment—The two loves—Parental opposition—First lecture as professor—The new Humanity Chair — Brightening prospects — Discipline in the class-room—First popular lecture—A bridal song—The “ Benedicite”--In summer quarters ‘ : i elo

Chapter X

Domestic administration—Fresh religious difficulties— Waiting for the truth—At the Free Church Assembly—Education in Scotland—Letter from Dr Chalmers—Marischal and King’s Colleges—University teaching of classics—A stirring appeal— First Highland tour— An evening with Carlyle—At Oxford—Carlyle on ‘4schylus’—Plan for publishing ‘ Aischylus’—Rhymed choruses : . 220

Chapter XI ‘ Eschylus’ And The Greek Chair. 1850-1852

Aim of the Greek translation—Irregular and regular rhyme —Students’ reading-parties—The Hellenic Society—The British Association in Edinburgh—Methods of learning languages — An early educational reformer— Again in Germany—The Greek Chair at Edinburgh— Professor Blackie’s candidature — Disappearance of prejudices —

The Greek Chair won—Sectarian opposition— Notes of gratitude : : : : : : . ~ 250

CONTENTS. Xl

Chapter XII

Parting gifts and regrets—Edinburgh in 1852—The pronunciation of Greek—Departure for Greece—In Athens—Life in Athens—A drought of rhyme—The Greek assistant lecturer — Work of the Greek classes— Success of the Greek classes—Lectures at the Philosophical Institution —Summer quarters at Bonn—Dr Guthrie’s discourses— The “Blackie Brotherhood” é 2 : . 280