123 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
so much so, that the publishers presented the author with two additional 6ums
of money, by way of compliment. Not long after its first publication, the
volume attracted the notice of George 111. and his consort--a portion of the
sermons, it is said, having been first read to their Majesties in the royal closet
by the eloquent Earl of Mansfield. So highly did their Majesties esteem the
merits of the author, that a pension of €200 was settled upon him. The
Doctor afterwards published other three volumes of sermons, all of which met
an equally flattering reception, and were translated into almost all the European
languages.
Upon occasion of the publication of Dr. Blair’s Lectures, Logan the poet
addressed a letter to Dr. Gilbert Stuart, at that time editor of the “English
Review and Political Herald,” from which the following beautiful extracts have
been taken : -
I need not
tell you that I am very much interested in the fate and fame of all his works.
Besides his literary merit, he hath borne his faculties so meekly in every situation,
that he is entitled to favour as well as candour. He has never with pedantic
authority opposed the career of other authors, but has, on the contrary, favoured
every literary attempt. He has never studied to push himself immaturely into
the notice of the world, but waited the call of the public for all his productions;
and now, when he retires from the republic of letters into the vale of ease, I
cannot help wishing success to Fingal’ in the last of his fields. * * * *
Your influence to give Dr. Blair his last passport to the public will be very
agreeable to the Ziterati here, and will be a particular favour done to me. It
will still farther enhance the obligation if you will write me such a letter as I
can show him, to quiet his fean.’’
Dr. Blair retired from the Professorship in 1788, in consequence of advanced
age, and in a few years afterwards found himself also unable to discharge the
duties of the pulpit. Such, however, was the vigour of his intellect, that in
1799, when past his eightieth year, he composed and preached one of the most
effective sermons he ever delivered, in behalf of the Fund for the Benefit of the
Sons of the Clergy, the subject of which was-“ The compassionate beneficence
of the Deity.”
In addition to his acquirements in theology and general literature, Dr. Blair
was intimately acquainted with some of the sciences ; while it may be worthy of
remark, he also indulged to a considerable extent in light reading. “The
Arabian Nights’ Entertainments,” and ‘‘ Don Quixote,” were among his especial
favourites. He was also an admirer of Mrs. Anne Radcliffe’s talents for romance,
and honoured Mr. Pratt’s ‘‘ Emma Corbett ” with particular praise. In Church
politics, although the Doctor took no active part, he was, like his intimate friend
Principal Robertson, a decided Moderate, and was zealous to adopt any means
of improving the worship of the Church of Scotland, where such could be done
This allusion, considering the share Dr. Blair had in bringing the worka of Ossian to light, is
“Dr. Blair’s Lectures are to be published sometime in spring.
extremely appropriate,
