The Descent of Rhampsinitus to Hades. The Doctrine of Metempsychosis. The Insane Freaks of Cambyses, the Son of Cyrus. King Rhampsinitus and the Robber. WILLIAM HAMILTON. HAMILTON, WILLIAM, a Scottish poet, born at Baugour, Linlith. gowshire, in 1704; died at Lyons, France, March 25, 1754. He was a gentleman of an ancient family and of good fortune. In 1745 he embraced the cause of the "Young Pretender." After the discomfiture of the Jacobites at Culloden he made his escape to France, but he soon received a full pardon from the British Government and the restoration of his paternal estates. His health being delicate, he took up his residence in Southern France, where the later years of his life were passed. He wrote a serious poem, entitled " Contemplation," and one in blank verse upon "The Thistle," the national flower of Scotland. Most of Hamilton's poems are of a lyrical character. A surreptitious collection of many of them was put forth in 1748. In 1760, after his death, his friends published a fuller collection, from his own manuscripts. A complete edition of the poems and songs, edited by James Paterson, was published in 1850. THE BRAES OF YARROW. "BUSK уe, busk ye, my bonny, bonny bride; Busk ye, busk ye, my bonny, bonny bride, "Where gat ye that bonny, bonny bride? "Weep not, weep not, my bonny, bonny bride; Pu'ing the birks on the Braes of Yarrow." "Why does she weep, thy bonny, bonny bride? VOL. XI. - 1 |