Sir John Malcolm-T. H. Lister, &c..288 Michael Thomas Sadler (1780-1:35)...830

HECTOR MACNEILL (1746-1818) was brought up to a mercantile life, but was unsuccessful in most of his business affairs. In 1789, he published a legendary poem, The Harp,' and in 1795, his moral tale, Scotland's Skaith, or the History o' Will and Jean.' The object of this production was to depict the evil effects of intemperance. A happy rural pair are reduced to ruin, descending by gradual steps till the husband is obliged to enlist as a soldier, and the wife to beg with her children through the country. The situation of the little ale-house, where Will begins his unlucky potations, is finely described.

In a howm, whose bonny burnie

Whimpering rowed its crystal flood,
Near the road where travellers turu aye,
Neat and beild, a cot-house stood:
White the wa's, wi' roof new theekit,
Window broads just painted red;
Lowne 'mang trees and braes it reekit,
Haflins seen and haflius hid.

Up the gavel-end, thick spreadin',
Crap the clasping ivy green,

Back ower, firs the high craigs cleadin',
Raised a' round a cosy screen.

Down below, a flowery meadow
Joined the burnie's rambling line;
Here it was that Howe the widow
That same day set up her sign.
Brattling down the brae, and near its
Bottom, Will first marvelling sees
'Porter, Ale, and British Spirits,'
Painted bright between twa trees.

'Godsake, Tam! here's walth fordrinking!
Wha can this new-comer be?'

'Hout, quo' Tam, there's drouch in thinking

Let's in, Will, and syne we'll see.'

The rustic friends have a jolly meeting, and do not separate till 'tween twa and three' next morning. A weekly club is set up at