few years, was to awaken public sympathy in behalf of Poland, and to associate the name of Campbell with the friends of the oppressed in every country?" "The boy is father to the man ;" and Dr. Beattie may be right in ascribing the poet's future interest in the Polish cause to the same reason which induced the boy to raise his arm for the English scholar. The tendency to write verses still continued; and it is curious to notice their gradual improvement, although as yet they promised none of those excellencies that afterwards made Campbell the best and most polished of our lyric poets. COLLEGE LIFE. He entered Glasgow University in October, 1791, having distinguished himself in all the classes of the Grammar School, now the High School of Glasgow. Dr. Beattie says that, even while a student, the poet was not characterized by the virtue of close application. While a mere boy, Campbell appears to have had the enviable tact of looking into a book and extracting from it whatever was valuable. He took the cream, and left what remained for the perusal of less fastidious readers." This faculty is not however calculated to do more than make a superficial scholar; and Campbell was one of the first Greek scholars of the day. In his first year at college, he gained three prizes; and it may be added that even these prizes were not easily obtained at Glasgow University by any young lad of fourteen years of age. 66 His college career was brilliant, but might have been more so, if he had not been, as he states, "obliged by his necessities to give elementary instruction to younger lads ;" and thus his powers of instruction were exhausted in teaching when he ought to have been learning." Dr. Beattie believes that this process of instructing others "led" a more solid foundation for his own fame; but its general tendeney is to fag and discourage the young teacher, who is thus compelled to do double duty. While prosecuting vigorously his classical studies, we find him pursuing his poetical fancies, and working his upward way in the path that was to lead him to celebrity. The following anecdote regarding the foundation of his popular ballad, "Lord Ullin's Daughter," is interesting: friends, I find that Campbell was still very constant in his addresses to the Muses, and furnished a little poem, which he had printed, in the ballad form, and distributed among his fellow-students. When he was preparing this for the press,' says a friend, he came to my lodging with the manuscript, and we looked it over, with a view to correct whatever might require emendation.' He got it printed on a slip of paper, like a bawbee ballad,' and from its resemblance in scenery and subject to 'Lord Ullin's Daughter,' it was probably the first form of that ballad, which he afterwards so beautifully recast, while residing in the Highlands. It began with these lines: 'Loud shrieked afar the angry sprite That rode upon the storm of night, And loud the waves were heard to roar That lashed on Morven's rocky shore;' which, if compared with those in the ballad published, we shall find the resemblance sufficiently striking to warrant such a conjecture 'By this the storm grew loud apace; The water-wraith was shrieking,' &c." At this period, 1791, a number of literary clubs were formed amongst the students at the Glasgow University, and Campbell bates. The oratorical displays of the evenfelt the warm interest of youth in their deing were often prolonged till midnight, and yet they produced comparatively few orators. of whom Glasgow has always had a large With the exception of theological students, share, the professional duties of these young men, in their subsequent life, were not calculated to promote the practice and study of eloquence; and we are not aware that any The cause and objects of Campbell's first of them acquired celebrity in that field. Greek poem is thus narrated: "It was during the same term at college, and in the Greek class which young Campbell attended with so much acknowledged credit to himself, that another little incident occurred, which brought his poetical talent before the Professor in a rather pleasing and interesting light. Some been announced as about to take place in the public ceremony or procession, it seems, had just city; and being of a very attractive description, the leaders in the Greek class were taking very active measures for securing a holiday;' but were sadly puzzled how they should memorialize' the Professor, so as to make sure of his indulgence. The 'show' was expected to be even much finer than was at first imagined; and yet, was to be all Homer and no holiday!' In this dilemma, young Campbell tacitly took upon himself the office of junior counsel in Greek for the whole class, and soon made himself master of the case.' Next morning, when the students had all assembled, much chagrined at the little success that took his seat as usual. "On opening a Greek text-book that lay on his desk, he observed a neatly-folded manuscript respectfully addressed to himself, and humbly praying,' &c., as all petitioners do. He took it up, turned it over, as if to throw it aside; but, seeing that it was written in poetry, he was struck with the novelty, and at length read it over with much apparent attention. His class-fellows knew nothing of what was going on; but young Campbell was literally trembling for the fate of his first piece,' and the holiday! And while he watched with intense anxiety the rather equivocal smile that played about the Professor's lips, during the perusal, his fears too clearly suggested that it was in contempt of the petitioner. He even thought he could distinctly Samuel had attended their deliberations, the Professor | keen intimacy with the absurdities and technicalities of Scottish law forms. Warren, the author of "Now and Then," and other stirring narratives, is a barrister of considerable standing, and author also of The Moral, Social, and Professional Duties of Attorneys," one of the best books of the past year. Some of the most promising volumes of last year are written by lawyers. Mr. Whiteside's work on Italy acquired a high standing immediately on its publication. The author of "Nimrod," the best poem of 1848, in our language, is a Scottish W. S., practicing in Edinburgh. We should, however, have merely to run up a catalogue of names and works, if we were called on to prove the union between legal and literary studies, although the opposite opinion has become proverbial, and barristers who are bold enough to publish verses in their own name, like the clever author of "Nibley Green," deem it advisable to preface them with an apology. -trace The day's disaster in his morning face.' "In a few minutes, however, he was agreeably surprised to hear his name pronounced in the presence of the whole class, with a very handsome compliment attached to it, and followed by the far more captivating announcement, that the holiday was granted.' Granted! - the word was electric; the students returned hasty and boisterous thanks, and, rushing forth to the market-place, spent a glorious holiday,' with the young Tyrtâeus at their head. "From the date of this petition, young Campbell was honored with marked attention by Professor Young, whose approbation in this instance stimulated him to such increased diligence in his study of Greek, that he soon gave proofs of his proficiency by those elegant translations which still maintain their place among his published poems." The duties of the solicitor's office did not suit Campbell. He made no progress with law works; and we think his biographer, in the following verses, needlessly at a loss to know the more congenial pursuits to which he retreated. The last part of our extract explains them: 66 This gentleman was the late Mr. Alexander Campbell; but as he informed my correspondent, the young poet came to his office only on trial, and, disliking the business on better acquaintance, soon left the office and returned to more congenial pursuits.' What these pursuits were, does not exactly appear; but that he was diligent in his preparation for the ensuing session at college, and in almost daily correspondence with the Muses, is abundantly evident by the translations and origi nal poems which he struck off in the course of the autumn. During the summer of this year, or, at least, for several weeks after prize-day, Campbell appears to have spent the greater portion of his time in the office of a solicitor, or writer, in Glasgow, a relation by his mother's side, and to have actuIn the next session he entered the Logically commenced the duties of an apprenticeship. class, and was commended for his exercises by Professor Jardine, although not in the warmest terms, and it is not surprising, but annoying, to find that this Greek scholar and poet could not spell and write the English language with propriety. In 1793, while yet only in his fifteenth year, he occasionally attended at a solicitor's office in Glasgow; but he never liked the business. The general opinion that the study of law is inconsistent with the practice of poetry and the pursuit of literature, was confirmed in the experi-inspired by the most atrocious event of the day"Among the miscellaneous pieces, was one ences of Campbell. His case did not constitute the rule, but rather was, in our opinion, the exception. There are many splendid illustrations of the facility with which law and literature may draw together. The names of Jeffrey and Brougham will occur readily to every reader, as examples of the intimate connection that may exist between the daily routine of legal duties and eminence in general literature. Sir Walter Scott was a lawyer; and many of his novels evince a an event over which he wept at the time, and the "VERSES ON THE QUEEN OF FRANCE. In life's last awful-awful scene, Slow leaves her sad captivity. "Hark! the shrill horn that rends the sky, And leave my lone captivity! "To purer mansions in the sky, Fair hope directs my grief-worn eye; "Adieu, ye babes, whose infant bloom, Of undeserv'd captivity! "O, Power benign, that rul'st on high! To soothe the sad captivity! Adieu, my lone captivity !'" 66 Early in the spring of this year, and in acknowledgment of his exemplary conduct, Campbell obtained a few days' leave of absence from college. He had just completed the first sketch of a prize poem, and laid it aside for future consideration. Another object had taken strong possession of his mind; and the holidays, just granted, encouraged the hope of his being enabled to realize a pleasing and long-cherished object of ambition. This was a visit to Edinburgh, during a time of great political excitement, when the trial of Muir, Gerald, and others, for high treason, was expected to take place. At this trial Campbell was present; and no circumstance of his life ever made so powerful an impression on his mind as what he heard and saw on that occasion. The whole scene within the Parliament-housethe judges on the bench-the prisoners at the bar -their looks-their eloquence-their indignant repudiation of the charges brought against them their solemn appeals to the jury-their sen tence their solemn protest and despair-all seemed to haunt his imagination in after life, like a reality which nothing could efface. In detailing the circumstance which preceded the poet's visit to the capital, I have again recourse to his own manuscript, in which I find some domestic traits of an interesting nature. It commences with a short sketch of the political aspect of the country at this stirring period, particularly of France, the wretched condition of which Boileau had so briefly but admirably predicted: "Déchirant à l'envi leur propre république; Lions contre lions; parents contre parents, Combattent follement pour le choix des tyrans!' During his third session at college, the future poet made, according to the late Dr. Duncan, of Ruthwell, who was his fellow student, several enemies by the severity of his satirical effusions; but many of them were the cause of amusement rather than anger. Glasgow University has been long a haunt of Irish students; but the new colleges, we expect, will do much to retain these winter absentees at home. The Belfast College, founded, in some measure, on classes already formed, is likely to be efficient and popular. In 1793, however, the new Irish colleges were not even talked of, and then, the French Revolution had everywhere lighted as now, the students from Ulster formed a up the contending spirits of democracy and aristocracy; and being, in my own opinion, a compelarge party at Glasgow. One morning tent judge of politics, I became a democrat. I Campbell perpetrated a libel on old Ire-read Burke on the French Revolution, of course; land," beginning thus: 66 "Vos, Hiberni, collocatis, Summum bonum in—potatoes;" and it answered his purpose, for all he wanted was a seat nearer to the stove, and as the Irish ran to read the attack on themselves rather than on their country, he attained his object. We come now to the first intimation respecting political matters; and it is a very interesting passage, confirming the views that we have steadily expressed regarding the conduct of the Scottish political martyrs, and the unjust severity of the proceedings by which they were victimized. VOL. XVI. NO. III. 20 "Of the great events which were now hastening to their consummation, and forcing the public mind into the most painful apprehensions as to their results upon the whole fabric of civilized society, Campbell, though comparatively a tyro in the school of politics, was, nevertheless, a keen and attentive observer. By this time,' he says, but, unable to follow his subtleties, or to appreciate his merits, I took the word of my brother democrats that he was a sophist. No doubt my principles-if I may so call my puerile opinionsgot a check from the atrocities of the French them and the allied invaders of France, who Jacobins; and my hatred hung balanced between brought forth all the evil energies of that kingdom, and eventually created the salamander Napoleon. But although I wept at hearing of the execution of Louis, and the fate of his Queen and the Dauphin, with the same sincere regret as I now read them in the page of history, I was, nevertheless-boy as I certainly was-possessed, even then, with an opinion which I have retained through life, namely, that the French massacres, and, above all, the death of Louis, were signal calamities to the friends of peace and liberty in England, and were equally signal advantages to its bitter enemies. walls of that house. He quieted the judges, in spite of their indecent interruptions of him, and produced a silence in which you might have heard a pin fall to the ground. At the close of his defense he said, "And now, gentlemen of the jury --now that I have to take leave of you forever, let me remind you that mercy is no small part of the duty of jurymen; that the man who shuts his heart on the claims of the unfortunate, on him the gates of mercy will be shut; and for him the Saviour of the world shall have died in vain." At this finish I was moved, and turning to a stranger beside me, apparently a tradesman, I said to him, By heavens, sir, that is a great man!" "Yes, sir," he answered; "he is not only a great man himself, but he makes every other man feel great who listens to him." 66 which, on all subsequent occasions, gave him that title of political consistency to which he so religiously adhered. "Full of his subject, he returned home to his father's house, and to the prosecution of his studies, with that increased thirst for distinction which had already marked his progress, and was now conducting him to the summit of literary fame." "It was in those years that the Scottish Reformers, Muir, Gerald and others, were transported to Botany Bay: Muir, although he had never uttered a sentence in favor of reform stronger than William Pitt himself had uttered; and Gerald for acts which, in the opinion of sound English lawyers, fell short of sedition. I did not even then approve of Gerald's mode of agitating the reform question in Scotland by means of a Scottish convention; but I had heard a magnificent account of his talents and accomplishments; and I longed insufferably to see him; but the question was, how to get to Edinburgh. "While thus gravely considering the ways and means, it immediately occurred to me that I had an uncle's widow in Edinburgh-a kind- "This visit to Edinburgh, and, above all, the hearted elderly lady, who had seen me at Glas- trial he had witnessed in the Parliament house— gow, and said that she would be glad to receive the strong political excitement evinced by the me at her house, if I should ever come to the spectators--the dignified demeanor and glowing Scottish metropolis. I watched my mother's eloquence of the prisoner Gerald-made an immolia tempora fundi-for she had them, good pression on young Campbell's mind that never woman--and eagerly catching the propitious mo- left him. It may be supposed, indeed, to have had ment, I said, "Oh, mamma, how I long to see no little influence in strengthening and confirmEdinburgh! If I had but three shillings, I coulding those early principles, the strict observance of walk there in one day, sleep two nights, and be two days at my aunt Campbell's, and walk back in another day!" To my delightful surprise she answered, "No, my bairn; I will give you what will carry you to Edinburgh, and bring you back; but you must promise me not to walk more than half the way in one day"—that was twenty-two miles. "Here," said she, "are five shillings for you in all; two shillings will serve you to go, and two to return; for a bed at the half-way house costs but sixpence." She then gave me I shall never forget the beautiful coin!-a King William and Mary crown-piece. I was dumb with gratitude; but sallying out to the streets, I saw at the first bookseller's shop a print of Elijah fed by the ravens. Now, I had often heard my poor mother saying confidentially to our worthy neighbor, Mrs. Hamilton--whose strawberries I had pilfered-that in case of my father's death, and he was a very old man, she knew not what would become of her. "But," she used to add, " let me not despair, for Elijah was fed by the ravens." When I presented her with the picture, I said nothing of its tacit allusion to the possibility of my being one day her supporter; but she was much affected, and evidently felt a strong presentiment.' His mother's presentiment had its literal fulfillment; every reader will mark and feel the beauty of a passage to which no commentary can do justice. Next morning,' continues Campbell, I took my way to Edinburgh with four shillings and sixpence in my pocket. I witnessed Joseph Gerald's trial, and it was an era in my life. Hitherto I had never known what public eloquence was, and I am sure the Justiciary Scotch Lords did not help me to a conception of it--speaking, as they did, bad arguments in broad Scotch. But the Lord Advocate's speech was good--the speeches of Laing and Gillies were better; and Gerald's speech annihilated the remembrance of all the eloquence that had ever been heard within the The sympathy of a young man, possessed of commanding talents, unassociated with those political opinions for which Muir, Gerald, and their companions were punished; educated in the strictest circles of Scotch burgher life, always peaceable, decorous, and loyal to the dynasty; and under the influence of professors who were satisfied with the order of things then existing in this country the sympathy even of a young man, in these circumstances, and with the acquirements and endowments of Thomas Campbell, was a testimonial, and even a vindication, which posterity will not disregard. The trial made a deep impression on one auditor who had walked to and from Edinburgh, not for the exclusive purpose of being present, but with a view to that amongst other objects. His character was changed. He became more sedate from that glimpse of the world's work. One agitator was made by the trial, and Dr. Beattie says that subsequently, "after the business of the day was over, he would call a few of his comrades together, and read them lectures on the miserable prospects of society- the corrupt state of modern legislation-the glories of the ancient republics-and the wisdom of Solon and Lycurgus.' During his sessions at college, Campbell's studies were directed towards the Church; but his biographer, unconsciously we suppose, demonstrates the bad working of Church patronage in these days; which probably kept one man out of the Scottish pulpit, whose genius and energy, if they had been directed into that channel, would undoubtedly have placed him, in point of success and utility, on a level with its brightest ornaments. In 1794, however, the party who subsequently opened up the question of patronage, and the circumstances that induced a relaxation of its rigor, had not been developed. The want of any hope of efficient patronage changed the current of Campbell's life. His father, who was a strictly religious man, probably urged perseverance; but the opposite counsel appears to have prevailed, and the poet remained a layman, · "Down to this period of his academical career Campbell appears to have studied with a view to the Church. Among the most intimate of his associates was Hamilton Paul, whose talents were of a high order—a grave philosopher, but a lively poet. In the congenial society of this wor thy compeer, and that of a kindred spirit, the late Rev. Dr. Finlayson, with whom he afterwards travelled to Mull, he spent many pleasant as well as profitable hours. And as both his class-fellows were preparing for holy orders-theology, with all the weighty matters of the law,' ecclesiastical history, and logic, were the leading studies of the session. Having a warm friendship for those young men, living much in their company, and sharing their sentiments, it is probable that he at length embraced similar views; and, for some time, at least, steadily persevered in regulating his studies by theirs. Circumstances, however, of a domestic or personal nature, appear to have altered his purpose; but these are so indistinctly remembered, or so doubtfully stated, that I cannot take upon me to repeat them with any degree of confidence. "His prospects of Church patronage could never have been very encouraging. His family connections, on both sides of the house, were chiefly engaged in commerce; and when he looked towards Kirnan,' the home of his forefathers, and thought of days when the staunch old lairds of that ilk' would have sold their last acre to have placed such a kinsman in the pulpit, the cause was cheerless; roofless and wild'' was their abode; and under the green sward of Kilmachael kirkyard lay the last 'heritors' who could have lent him a helping hand. All this passed through his mind. But then it was said his talents would easily accomplish what family influence could not.' Talents he certainly had--talents of the first order-but of what avail were these? "Haud facile emergunt, quorum virtutibus obstat Res angusta domi.' Many other such arguments were employed; but Church preferment, he must give much more atthey went merely to show that, if he aspired to tention to things ecclesiastical;' study Calvin, compose homilies, read Mosheim, follow in the steps of those noble ancestors, who, at the peril of their lives and property, had ever clung fast to the interest of their mother Kirk; and take his own words for a motto: "Be strong as the rock of the ocean that stems A thousand wild waves on the shore.' What effect this friendly exhortation produced on the mind of Campbell is not known." order were of no avail, is humiliating, when The confession that talents of the first made in reference to an institution where talcess, and where drones can do more mischief ents are apparently indispensable for sucthan in any other profession whatever, by merely doing nothing. Medicine and surgery formed the next suggestion; but then they required a greater outlay than the poet's financial condition would permit; and, after attending "some preliminary lectures," this idea also was abandoned. He then entered the countinghouse of a merchant, where he remained for some time, still hankering after the Church, whose pulpits were closed against him by the Act of 1711-studying Hebrew in his leisure hours, and writing religious poetry. At the close of the third session, Campbell carried three prizes; but more pecuniary losses having been encountered by his family, he was induced to seek employment; and found it in the Hebrides. His journey to Mull, where he was to act as tutor to the family of Mrs. Campbell of Sunipol, was made overland; and partly, from want of any other conveyance, on foot. The state of the Highlands, at that comparatively recent period, is shown pretty clearly in the following extract: "At last, after crossing Cowal, and reaching Inverary, we regained a spot of comparative civilization, where there was a high road with milestones. On that road. I remember, we came up with a little boy, in a postman's dress, whose pony was left grazing on the roadside, whilst Red Jacket himself was quietly playing at marbles with some other boys. You little rascal!' we said to him, are you the post-boy, and thus playing away your time?' 'Na! sir,' he answered, I'm na the post-I'm only an express!'" At Mull he found a famine of paper, and apologizes in 1795 to a friend for the irregu |