The suppressed poems alluded to in the twenty-third page, are distinguished in the table of Contents by being printed in italics. SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF JAMES BEATTIE, L. L. D. Poor Edwin was no vulgar boy. Minstrel. WHEN We sit down to the perusal of a celebrated production, we find some particulars of its author's life peculiarly acceptable. Whatever be the complexion of the performance, this curiosity is excited, and we are now about to afford it, in the present instance, a degree of gratification. James Beattie is a native of North Britain, born about the year 1740, and was educated at the University of Aberdeen, of which he has since proved himself a distinguished ornament. After passing through the usual gradations of education, with acceptance, he retired to that part of the country which had given him birth, and there devoted himself to the instruction of the community. He taught at a parochial school, for many years, and acquitted himself with propriety. In this obscure retreat he applied to classical learning with unremitting assiduity. Indeed A Belles Lettres had always charms for him, and by him they were cultivated with no common industry. His merit becoming more known, he was removed to Aberdeen, and became a teacher in the Grammar School in that city. Here he married the head master's daughter, a beautiful and accomplished woman, by whom he had several children, all of whom are now deceased.* About the year 1766. Mr. Beattie published an answer to the celebrated David Hume, entitled An Essay on the Immutability of Truth, which contained an elegant refutation of error. It was received by the more serious part of the world in a very favourable manner, and the English Clergy, in particular, deemed it a masterly production. Many of its principles are supposed to have been taken from Dr. Reid of Glasgow. Be this as it may, the Essay was deservedly admired for the perspicuity of its arrangement, the elegance of its language, and the usefulness of its tendency. Indeed of infidelity Mr. Beattie speaks with a becoming indignation. To Hume and his disciples, therefore, we are to refer the following pointed lines on that subject, to be found in the Minstrel ; O Nature, how in every charm supreme! To sing thy glories with devotion due! Who to the enraptured heart, and ear, and eye, *The head master of the school, at that period, was James Dunn, L. L. D. who died very lately at an advanced age, and who had sustained that office for upwards of half a century. |