THOMAS CAMPBELL


FAMOUS SCOTS SERIES

The following Volumes are now ready:—


THOMAS CAMPBELL BY J. CUTHBERT HADDEN

FAMOUS SCOTS SERIES

PUBLISHED BY OLIPHANT ANDERSON & FERRIER·EDINBVRGH AND LONDON

The designs and ornaments of this volume are by Mr Joseph Brown, and the printing from the press of Messrs Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh.

To
MY WIFE
WHO, BY HER QUIET HELPFULNESS AND
FAIR COMPANIONSHIP, LIGHTENS FOR ME THE
BURDENS OF THE LITERARY LIFE,
I DEDICATE THIS BOOK


PREFACE

Reviewing Beattie’s Life of Campbell in the Quarterly in 1849, Lockhart expressed the hope that no one would ever tell Campbell’s story without making due acknowledgment to ‘the best stay of his declining period.’ He would be a bold man who would think of doing so. As well might one expect to write a life of Johnson without the aid of Boswell as expect to tell Campbell’s story without reference to Dr Beattie. In addition to my acknowledgments to him, I have to express my indebtedness to Mr Cyrus Redding’s ‘Reminiscences of Thomas Campbell,’ which, though badly put together, yet contain a mass of valuable information about the poet, especially in his more intimate relations. For the rest I have made considerable use of Campbell’s correspondence, and have, I trust, acquainted myself with all the more important references made to him in contemporary records, and in the writings of those who knew him. To several of my personal friends, particularly to Mr G. H. Ely, I am obliged for hints and helpful suggestions, which I gratefully acknowledge.

J. C. H.

Edinburgh, October 1899.


CONTENTS

PAGE
[CHAPTER I]
ANCESTRY—BIRTH—SCHOOLDAYS[9]
[CHAPTER II]
COLLEGE AND HIGHLAND TUTORSHIPS[20]
[CHAPTER III]
‘THE PLEASURES OF HOPE’[36]
[CHAPTER IV]
CONTINENTAL TRAVELS[51]
[CHAPTER V]
WANDERINGS—MARRIAGE—SETTLEMENT IN LONDON[66]
[CHAPTER VI]
POETICAL WORK AND PROSE BOOKMAKING[85]
[CHAPTER VII]
LECTURES AND TRAVELS[99]
[CHAPTER VIII]
CLOSING YEARS[122]
[CHAPTER IX]
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PLACE AS A POET[141]