CAMPBELL, TlIOMAS, a distinguished English poet, was b. in the city of Glasgow, 27th July, 1777. His father was a merchant, and the poet was the youngest of ten chil dren. He was sent to the university of his native city, and remained there six years. During his collegiate course, he received several prizes, and was particularly dis tinguished for his knowledge of Greek literature. On leaving the university, C. went to reside as a tutor for a year in the island of Mull. The scenery of the w. Highlands made a deep impression on his mind, and to his abode in these grand and desolate regions we are indebted for many of the touches of sublimity which occur in his verses. Returning from Argyleshire, C. meditated the study of law, and repaired to Edinburgh; but he could not shake off his recollections. In his eyes, the mists were folded on the hills of Morven, the roar of Corrievrekin was in his ears, and instead of prosecuting the study of jurisprudence, he wrote The Pleasures of Hope. The poem was published in 1799, and went through four editions in a twelvemonth. After its publication, C. went to the continent; and on Dec. 3, 1800, witnessed from a Bavarian monastery the battle of Holienlinden, fought between the French and Austrians. In 1801, be returned to England with The Exile of Erin and Ye Mariners of P;neand in his portmanteau; and shortly after, took up his abode in Edinburgh, where Locheil's Warning was com posed. In 1803, C. proceeded to London, and adopted literature as a profession. He contributed articles to The Edinburghz. Encyclopadia and compiled The Annals of Great Britain from the Accession of George II. to the Peace of Amiens, in 3 vols. In 1806, through the influence of Mr. Fox, C. received a pension of £200 per annum from government.
In 1809, he published Gertrude of Wyoming, which bears the same relation to The Pleas uresof Hope that The Castle ofIndolence bears to The less brilliant and strik ing, but more mature and finished performance. In 1818, C. was again in Germany. and on his return, he published his Specimens of the British Poets, in 7 vols. In 1820, he delivered a course of lectures on poetry at the Surrey institution. From this date to 1830, C. edited 'The Monthly Magazine, and contributed thereto several poems, one of which, the Last Man. is in some respects the loftiest of all his performances. In 1824, he published Theoclorie and other Poems. In 1827, he was elected lord rector of the university of Glasgow, and received the unusual honor of re-election the two following years. Ile published The Pilgrim of Glencoe and other Poems in 1842. His later publi cations did not add to his fame. He died at Boulogne, in 1844, and was buried in West minster abbey, 3Iacaulav, dean Milman, and other celebrated persons bearing the pall.
C. is an established English classic. With the young, The Pleasures of Ilope will ever be a chief favorite; while readers of maturer years will linger with delight over the syl van scenery and tender domestic scenes of Gertrude. It is in his lyrics, however, that C. has ascended highest into the heavens of song—Hohenlinden; Ye Mariners of England; and The Battle of the Baltic, cannot be paralleled in the language. Than these lyrics.
nothing can be more simple and spirited. Once read, they cannot be forgotten. They will fan the patriotism of many generations.