vowed to resist the current of these opinions. His book was polemical ; and that warmth of language, which be has not studied to repress, must be as cribed to these circumstances, if it cannot be defend td by them.
But the objections in question are not applicable to any of his other-works. It is impossible here to enter-into alarther detail of these various publica tions. His Elements of Moral Science, and his dif ferent critical and philological treatises, are composi tions of a very pleasing character ; and it was chiefly by them that his. reputation was established in other countries. Some of his books were early, translated into the Dutch•and other languages, A French lation of his Essays us Poetry and Music was print ed at Paris in 1796. But it is chiefly as the authors of the Minstrel that Beattie is and will win tinue to be admired. This poem, or rather poetical Tratement, for. the design was not completed, stands fully confirmed in the public favour; and it is - cient to say, that, in beauty both of sentiment and imagery, it stands in the first v of poetical- compositions. It would be difficult per imps to select, from the- body-of English verse, any single passage which excels this stanza in the first pant It has been objected to the second of the Magri, that it contains too much philosophy. But, though the instruction couveyed in it is frequently addressed to the understanding, kis, never abstruse, and,the lamas apa.theee of poet not less than of a moralist. Like the cots. Indolence, it is, in
scope and design, s didactic piece. Both commenca in the highest strain of descriptive and pathetic.
poetry ; and the subsequent depression. of tone in Beattie both is a necessary result of this lofty preparation. But the criticism is more just when applied to the work of Thomson. than to the Minstrel.
Dr Beattie's style is classical, and always perspicu ous. Ile was never weary of retouching what he wrote, the chief secret of good composition, with out which, at least, no composition can be rendered complete. He deserves, above all, that which is the greatest praise of an author, that no one can read his works a ith a candid mind, and rise from the pe rusal unimproved.
The following is a list of Dr Beattie's writ ings :-.-Poems, first published in 1760.—Essay on Truth, 1771.—Minstrel, 1771, 1774..-.Essays, On Poetry and Music—On Laughter and ludicrous Composition—On Classical Learning, gestations, viz. On Memory and Imagination—On Dreaming—On the Theory of Language—On Fable and Romance—On the Attachments of Kindred.—. and Illustrations of Sublimity, 1783.--Evidences of Christianity,1786.—Elenzents of Moral Science,1790, 1793. He likewise published, in 1790, an edition of Mr Addison's papers in the Taller, Spedator, Guard ian, and FreehWder, and of his treatise on the Christ las Religion, with his Life by 'lichen, and some ori ginal Notes, Edinburgh, 4 vole. 8vo. (as.)