The Poems of Robert Fergusson: in Two Parts. To which is Prefixed, the Life of the Author, and a Sketch of His Writings; with a Copious Glossary Annexed

ardent genius. To attempt a character of the works of this youthful bard, would be equally vain as difficult. No colours but his own could paint it to the life; and who in his line of composition can even draw the sketch?-His talent for versification in the Scots dialect has been exceeded by none,-equalled by few. The subjects he chose were generally uncommon, often temporary. His images and sentiments were lively and striking, which he had a knack in clothing with the most agreeable and natural expressions. His compositions embrace the simplicity of Ramsay, and the poetic fire of Burns; a vein of humour equal to either, and a classic accuracy superior to both. His Farmer's Ingle, is deserving of the highest eulogium. This piece has much of the merit of Ramsay's Gentle Shepherd, it is a simple pleasing characteristic picture of a Scotch country fireside, and I have no doubt but it gave Burns the hint of his exquisite picture of the Cotter's Saturday Night, and with which our author's poem may I think fairly dispute the palm. Fergusson seems to have had a particular taste for the burlesque, and to have cultivated that taste with great success. His Saturday's Expedition, The Canongate Playhouse In Ruins, Auld Reikie, and several other pieces of this description, not forgetting his epistle to Dr. Samuel Johnson, have infinite merit; his epilogue in the character of an Edinburgh Buck was, when it was written so happily characteristic that it met with prodigious applause. The same may be said of his Last Will, which contains much local

point and humour. His Posthumous Pieces it will be observed are of a very different description from those published in his life time, they embrace subjects of despair and horror, and were doubtless written by him when in that state of religious melancholy which preceded his lunacy. When we consider the beauties of his pieces we think they deserve to be more generally known than they are.