THOMSON, JAMES, a celebrated
poet, was born, September 11, 1700, at Ednam, near Kelso, of which parish
his father was minister. Beatrix Trotter, the mother of the poet, was
daughter and co-heiress of a small portion of land at Foggo in Berwickshire,
and is described as having been a woman of "a singular fervour of
imagination," at the same time that she shone in the domestic and social
virtues. The difficulty with which his father supported his family, having
nine children, occasioned his removal, in the early childhood of the poet,
to the parish of Southdean, in the presbytery of Jedburgh, where the
stipend, though not large, was somewhat better than that which he had
enjoyed at Ednam. The change was from a low and beautifully ornamented part
of the country, and the close neighbourhood of a considerable market town,
to an elevated pastoral district, enlivened only by the slender waters of
the Jed, and frequented by few except the lonely angler. In the church-yard
of Southdean, may yet be seen the humble monument of the father of the poet,
with the inscription almost obliterated. The manse in which that individual
reared his large family, of whom one was to become so illustrious, was what
would now be described as a small thatched cottage. [Infomration by Mr
Richmond, the present minister of Southdean.] The poet received the
rudiments of his education at the school of Jedburgh, and was not
distinguished among his youthful companions, by remarkable superiority of
parts. He was still, however, very young, when his talents for writing
verses attracted the attention of several respectable individuals in that
part of the country. Mr Riccarton, minister of the neighbouring parish of
Hobkirk, and a man of taste and learning, observed and encouraged this
talent; and young Thomson was occasionally invited, on account of his
promising abilities, to spend his vacations at the country seats of Sir
William Bennet of Chesters, Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto, and lord Cranstoun.
He was so little pleased, however, with the poetry he produced at this early
period, that on every new-year’s day he burnt all that he had composed
during the foregoing years. At a proper age he was sent to the university of
Edinburgh. According to tradition, a servant of his father conducted him to
the capital, seated behind himself on horseback; but such was his reluctance
to forsake the country, that he had no sooner been left to himself in the
city, than he set out on foot for home, and was back at his father’s manse
(between fifty and sixty miles distant) as soon as the man and the horse.
When his parents remonstrated with him respecting this disobedient conduct,
he passionately observed that "he could study as well on the haughs of
Sou’den (so Southdean is commonly pronounced) as in Edinburgh." [The editor
is obliged for this curious anecdote to Mr Richmond.] He was,
nevertheless, prevailed upon to commence a course of study in Edinburgh.
In the second year of his
attendance at the university, his studies were interrupted by the sudden
death of his father. He was summoned home to receive his parent’s dying
benediction, but came too late. This circumstance contributed to increase
his sorrow, and his filial piety was expressed on this mournful occasion in
instances of conduct which his surviving relations afterwards delighted to
recollect.
His mother now realized as
much as she could from her own little inheritance, and removed with her
family to Edinburgh, in order to give them what persons of her rank in
Scotland generally consider as the best of all endowments, a good education.
James re-commenced his studies, and with some reluctance was induced by his
friends to enter upon a course of divinity, with the view of applying his
talents to the church. After the usual attendance on the professor of
theology, he delivered a probationary exercise in the hall; but his diction
was so poetically splendid, that the professor reproved him for using
language unintelligible to a popular audience; which so disgusted him with
his theological pursuits, that he seems to have, soon after this event,
resolved to abandon them. He had already contributed to a poetical volume,
entitled the Edinburgh Miscellany, which was compiled by a society of young
aspirants in verse who were attending the college, and among whom was David
Mallet. About the same time he acted as tutor to lord Binning,--the son of
the sixth earl of Haddington, and himself a poet; to whom he had probably
been introduced by his mother’s friend, lady Grizzel Baillie, mother-in-law
to his lordship, and whose "Memoirs" possess so much tender interest; who,
finding him unlikely to do well in any other pursuit, advised him to try
his fortune in London as a poet, and promised him some countenance
and assistance. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1725, he took leave of his
mother, whom he was never more to behold, and proceeded by sea to London,
carrying with him little besides his poem of "Winter." On arriving in the
metropolis, he found his way to his college friend Mallet, who then acted as
preceptor to the two sons of the duke of Montrose; he also sought out Mr
Duncan Forbes, afterwards president of the court of session, who, having
conceived a favourable opinion of his talents in Scotland, was now disposed
to promote his views by all means in his power. He was at first in
considerable difficulties for the means of subsistence, and is found writing
to an ancient friend of his family, the minister of Ancrum, for the loan of
twelve pounds, in order to pay off some little debts he had contracted since
his arrival in the metropolis, and to procure necessaries, till he should
raise something by the sale of his deceased mother’s lands of Whithope. By
the friendly intervention of Mallet, a bookseller named Millar was induced
to buy "Winter" at a low price, and it was accordingly published in 1726,
with a dedication to Sir Spencer Compton, and several recommendatory verses
by his friends. Though unnoticed for some time, it gradually attained that
estimation which it has ever since maintained, and soon procured for the
author the friendship of all the men then distinguished in literature. His
acquaintance was sought by Dr Rundle, afterwards bishop of Derry, who
recommended him to the lord chancellor Talbot. In 1727, he published another
of his Seasons, "Summer," which he at first proposed dedicating to lord
Binning, but eventually by the disinterested advice of that nobleman,
inscribed to Mr Dodington, afterwards lord Melcombe, whom Binning thought
likely to advance his interest. The same year he gave to the public two more
of his productions; "A Poem Sacred to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton," who
died in that year; and "Britannia," a poetical invective against the
ministry, whom the nation then thought not forward enough in resenting the
depredations of the Spaniards. His "Spring," published in 1728, and
addressed to the countess of Hertford, afterwards duchess of Somerset,
procured him an invitation to pass a summer at lord Hertford’s country-seat.
The Seasons were not completed by the addition of "Autumn," till 1730, when
he published his poems collectively. Autumn was addressed to Mr Onslow.
In the same year, he brought
upon the stage, at Drury Lane, his tragedy of Sophonisba, which raised such
expectation, that every rehearsal was dignified with a splendid audience,
collected to anticipate the delight that was preparing for the public. It
was observed, however, that nobody was affected, and that the company rose
as from a moral lecture. It was one of the many proofs that dramatic genius
is a very different thing from the power of putting in dialogue fine
sentiment and poetical description. Not long afterwards, the recommendation
of Dr Rundle caused him to be selected as the travelling associate of the
honourable Mr Talbot, eldest son of the chancellor, with whom he visited
most of the courts and countries of the European continent. Such an
opportunity could not fail to be a source of much improvement to one, whose
mind was well prepared for the observation of the different forms of
society, and appearances in external nature. The idea of his poem on Liberty
suggested itself to him during this tour, and after his return he employed
nearly two years in its completion. He was now enabled to pursue his studies
at leisure, having been remunerated for his attendance on Mr Talbot, by the
place of secretary of the briefs, which was nearly a sinecure. His poem
"Liberty" at length appeared, being inscribed to Frederick, prince of Wales,
and opening with an affectionate tribute to the memory of Mr Talbot, who had
died during his journey with the poet. Thomson congratulated himself upon
this work as the noblest effort of his mind; but it was received with
coldness by the public, and has never been so generally read as the rest of
his compositions. In reality, a long historical piece in blank verse, the
incidents of which were taken from common reading, was not very likely to
prove attractive.
The lord chancellor soon
after died, and, Thomson having neglected to apply for a renewal of his
place, it was bestowed by the succeeding judge, lord Hardwicke, upon
another. The poet was, therefore, reduced once more to a dependence on his
talents for support. It is creditable to him, that, while in this painful
situation, he showed, in his letters to a friend in Edinburgh, an
affectionate anxiety to assist the narrow circumstances of his sisters, Jean
and Elizabeth, who then lived with Mr Gusthart, one of the ministers of the
city. He was introduced, about this time, by Mr (afterwards lord) Littleton,
to the prince of Wales; and, being questioned as to the state of his
affairs, he answered. "that they were in a more poetical posture than
formerly:" which induced the prince to bestow upon him a pension of one
hundred pounds a-year.
In 1738, his second tragedy,
entitled "Agamemnon," was brought upon the stage at Drury Lane. Pope, who
had favoured the author, when in Italy, with a poetical epistle,
countenanced the performance on the first night by his presence; and was
received in the house with a general clap. It had the fate of most
mythological pieces, and was only endured, not favoured. The reception it
met with, is said to have thrown the author into such a copious
perspiration, that he found it necessary to change his wig, before he could
join a party of friends at supper. Another tragedy, which he offered to the
theatre, was "Edward and Eleonora;" but it was prevented from appearing by
the lord chamberlain, on account of its political complexion. In 1740, he
wrote, in conjunction with Mallet, the "Masque of Alfred," which was
performed before the prince of Wales, at Cliefden House, on the birth-day of
the princess Augusta. In this piece was introduced the song, "Rule
Britannia," which has ever since maintained so high a popularity. It is
understood to be the composition of Thomson. [It appears from the letters
published by the earl of Buchan, that Thomson at this time rented a house at
the upper end of Kew Lane; and that the Amanda whom he so frequently
celebrated in his verses, was a Miss Young, sister of Mrs Robertson, wife of
the surgeon to the household at Kew.]
The most successful of his
dramatic compositions, "Tancred and Sigismunda," was brought out at Drury
Lane, in 1745: it is still occasionally acted. His poem, entitled "The
Castle of Indolence," which had been several yeals under his polishing hand,
and which is perhaps the most perfect and pleasing of all his compositions,
was published in 1746. His friend, lord Lyttleton, was now in power, and
procured him the place of surveyor-general of Leeward Islands; from which,
when his deputy was paid, he received about three hundred pounds a-year. He
did not live long to enjoy this state of comparative independence. He was in
the habit of walking from London to his house at Richmond, for the sake of
exercise. One evening, after he had proceeded a certain distance, being
fearful that he would be too late, he took a boat for the remainder of the
way, not observing that the dews of the evening, and the cold air of the
river, were dangerous to a person whose pores were opened by the
perspiration of a hasty walk. The cold which he caught on this occasion,
terminated in a fever, which carried him off, August 27, 1748, when he had
nearly completed the forty-eighth year of his age. He was buried under a
plain stone in Richmond church, where the earl of Buchan, forty years
afterwards, erected a tablet to his memory. A monument, however, had been
raised to him at an earlier period in Westminster Abbey. The poet
left a tragedy, entitled "Coriolanus," which was brought upon the stage at
Covent Garden, in 1749, and realized a considerable sum for the benefit of
his relations.
It is as a descriptive poet
that Thomson has gained a permanent fame; for all his compositions, except
of that kind, have sunk into comparative neglect. His "Seasons" has now kept
its place amongst the poetical classics of England, for upwards of a
century; and still there is no perceptible tendency to decline in its
popularity. In reference to this poem, Dr Johnson has written as follows;
and no further criticism seems to be necessary:—"As a writer, Thomson is
entitled to one praise of the highest kind,—his mode of thinking, and of
expressing his thoughts, is original. His blank verse is no more the blank
verse of Milton, or of any other poet, than the rhymes of Prior are the
rhymes of Cowley. His numbers, his pauses, his diction, are of his own
growth, without transcription, without imitation. He thinks in a peculiar
train, and he always thinks as a man of genius: he looks round on nature,
and on life, with the eye which nature only bestows on a poet, the eye that
distinguishes, in every thing presented to its view, whatever there is on
which imagination can delight to be detained, and with a mind that at once
comprehends the vast, and attends to the minute. The reader of the
‘Seasons,’ wonders that he never saw before what Thomson shows him, and that
he never yet felt what Thomson impresses. His descriptions of extended
scenes, and general effects, bring before us the whole magnificence of
nature, whether pleasing or dreadful. The gaiety of Spring, the splendour of
Summer, the tranquillity of Autumn, and the horrors of Winter, take, in
their turns, possession of the mind. The poet leads us through the
appearances of things, as they are successively varied by the vicissitudes
of the year; and imparts to us so much of his own enthusiasm, that our
thoughts expand with his imagery, and kindle with his sentiments. Nor is the
naturalist without his share in the entertainment; for he is assisted to
recollect and to combine, to arrange his discoveries, and to amplify the
sphere of his contemplation."
"Thomson," says Dr Aikin,
"was in person large and ungainly, with a heavy unanimated countenance, and
nothing in his appearance or manner in mixed society indicating the man of
genius or refinement. He was, however, easy and cheerful with select
friends, by whom he was singularly beloved for the kindness of his heart,
and his freedom from all the little malignant passions, which too often
debase the literary character. His benevoleoce is said to be more ardent
than active, for indolence was extremely prevalent in his nature; and though
he would readily give to the utmost of his ability, he could not overcome
his reluctance to exert himself in doing services. He was fond of
indulgences of every kind, and was more attached to the grosser pleasures of
sense, than the sentimental delicacy of his writings would lead a reader to
suppose: but this is a common failing. No poet has deserved more praise for
the moral tenor of his works. Undoubted philanthropy, enlarged ideas of the
dignity of man, and of his rights; love of virtues, public and private, and
of a devotional spirit, narrowed by no views of sect or party, give soul to
his verse, when not merely descriptive: and no one can rise from the perusal
of his pages, without melioration of his principles or feelings."
The remark here made as to
the attachment of Thomson "to the grosser pleasures of sense," demands some
comment. The purity of his writings has been celebrated by lord Lyttleton,
and generally allowed by the world; and, excepting the above remark, which
is to be traced to the report of Savage to Dr Johnson, and has not been
generally credited, no charge has ever, till lately, been laid against the
private character of the poet.
In a work lately published,
under the title of "Records of my Life," a posthumous autobiography of Mr
John Taylor, the author of the humorous poem of "Monsieur Tonson," a curious
tale is related, on the authority of the late Mr George Chalmers. "Mr
Chalmers," says Taylor, "had heard that an old housekeeper of Thomson’s was
alive, and still resided at Richmond. Having determined to write a life of
the celebrated poet of his country, he went to Richmond, thinking it
possible he might obtain some account of the domestic habits of the poet,
and other anecdotes which might impart interest and novelty to his
narration. He found that the old housekeeper had a good memory, and was of a
communicative turn. She informed him Thomson had been actually married in
early life, but that his wife had been taken by him merely for her person,
and was so little calculated to be introduced to his great friends, or
indeed his friends in general, that he had kept her in a state of obscurity
for many years; and when he at last, from some compunctious feelings,
required her to come and live with him at Richmond, he still kept her in the
same secluded state, so that she appeared to be only one of the old
domestics of the family. At length his wife, experiencing little of the
attention of a husband, though otherwise provided with every thing that
could make her easy, if not comfortable, asked his permission to go for a
few weeks to visit her own relations in the north. Thomson gave his consent,
exacting a promise that she would not reveal her real situation to any of
his or her own family. She agreed; but when she had advanced no farther on
her journey than to London she was there taken ill, and in a short time
died. The news of her death was immediately conveyed to Thomson, who ordered
a decent funeral; and she was buried, as the old housekeeper said, in the
churchyard of old Marylebone church. Mr Chalmers, who was indefatigable in
his inquiries, was not satisfied with the old woman’s information, but
immediately went and examined the church register; where he found the
following entry—‘Died, Mary Thomson, a stranger’--in confirmation of the
housekeeper’s testimony.
There is little, perhaps, in
this story to invalidate the commonly received notions as to the worth of
Thomson’s character; though, allowing it to be true, it certainly is not
calculated to elevate him in the estimation of the world. The present writer
has, of course, no wish to degrade any of the eminent names of the past; but
he thinks it worth while, by way of correcting a piece of literary history,
to mention that the late earl of Buchan possessed a poem in Thomson’s
hand-writing, and bearing all the erasures, interpolations, and other
peculiarities, that could mark the composition as his own, which displayed a
marked degree of licentiousness. He has, therefore, been satisfied that
Thomson, though he had the good sense to publish nothing of an impure
character, was not incapable of delighting in gross ideas, and composing
lines—
"---which, dying, he could
wish to blot."
James Thomson
By William Bayne (Famous Scots Series) (1898) (pdf)
The
Complete Poetical Works of James Thomson
By J. Logie Robertson, M.A. (1908) (pdf)
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