SEASON S. BY JAMES THOMSON. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THE AUTHOR. GLASGOW: PRINTED BY ROBERT & ANDREW FOULIS, M.DCC.LXIX. АСС ACCOUNT O F THE LIFE AND WRITINGS I O F MR. JAMES THOMSON. T is commonly faid, that the life of a good writer is best read in his works; which can fcarce fail to receive a peculiar tincture from his temper, manners, and habits: the diftinguishing character of his mind, his ruling paffion, at least, will there appear undisguised. But however just this obfervation may be; and although we might fafely rest Mr. Thomson's fame, as a good man, as well as a man of genius, on this fole footing; yet the defire which the public always fhews of being more particularly acquainted with the history of an eminent author, ought not to be disappointed; as it proceeds not from mere curiofity, but chiefly from affection and gratitude to those by whom they have been entertained and instructed. To give fome account of a deceased friend is often a piece of justice likewife, which ought not to be refafed to his memory: to prevent or efface the impertinent fictions which officious biographers are fo apt to collect and proPigate. And we may add, that the circumftances of an author's life will sometimes throw the best light upon his writings; inftances whereof we shall meet with in the following pages. Mr. Thomson was born at Ednam, in the fhire of Roxburgh, on the 11th of September, in the year 1700. His father, minister of that place, was but little known beyond the narrow circle of his co-presbyters, and to a few gentlemen in the neighbourhood; but highly respected by them, for his piety, and his diligence in the paftoral duty; as appeared afterwards in their kind offices to his widow and orphan 'family. The Reverend Meff. Riccarton and Gusthart particularly, took a most affectionate and friendly part in all their concerns. The former, a man of uncommon penetration and good taste, had very early discovered, through the rudenefs of young Thimon's puerile essays, a fund of genius well deferving culture and encourageHe undertook therefore, with the father's approbation, the chief direction of his ment. |