BLAIR, Bonnier, author of The Grave, was b. at Edinburgh, where his father was a clergyman, in 1699. After completing his education for the church, and traveling on the continent, he received license, and in 1731 was ordained minister of Athelstaneford, Iladding,toushire, where lie lived in easy circumstances till his death, in 1746. He was an accomplished and thoughtful man, devoted considerable attention to natural science, particularly botany, and corresponded on friendly terms with several eminent contem poraries, among others, Watts and Doddridge. To them he submitted the MS. of his poem, which lie had written before his ordination. Watts offered it to two publishers, who thought it too heavy for the times, and it remained several years unprinted. It afterwards attained an honorable place in the esteem of those capable of appreciating a masculine, though somewhat gloomy force of thought and imagery, applied to a pro foetidly suggestive and serious theme. It found a congenial illustrator in William
Blake (q.v.) B. was succeeded in his ministerial charge by the author of Douglas. His sou, Robert Blair, of Avontoun, became lord president of the court of session.
a village in the county of Perth, Scotland, situated at the conflu ence of the Tilt and Garry, about 30 in. n.n.w. of the city of Perth. Blair castle, the seat of the duke of Athol, is situated here. The larch-trees surrounding it are remark able alike for their enormous size, and for the fact of their being among the first planted is Scotland.
a village in Perthshire. very picturesquely situated on the c. side of a range of hills, on the right bank of the Ericht, 16 m. n.n.e of Perth. It consists chiefly of one windine. street. Pop. in '71,4832. It has flax-spinning and weaving fac tories, driven by Pure white marble is found in the vicinity. There is a branch railway from Cupar-Angus.