96 B I0 GRAPH I C AL S ICE T C HE S.
His first literary productionl--“An Introduction to the History of Poetry in
Scotland,” quarto ; to which were added the “ Songs of the Lowlands,” illustrated
by David Allan, and dedicated to Fuseli-appeared in 1798, A Dialogue
on Scottish Music, prefixed to this work, is said to have first conveyed to
foreigners a correct idea of the Scottish scale ; for which he was highly complimented
by several eminent German and Italian composers. His next and best
work--“ A Tour from Edinburgh, through parts of North Britain,” etc., embellished
with forty-four beautiful aquatint drawings by his own hand, 2 vols. 4to.
-was published in 1802. Written in a lighter and purer style than is characteristic
of the author’s other literary efforts, his “ Journey,” describes the then
state of an interesting portion of the country, and displays no ordinary degree of
research in reference to general history and local antiquities, while the drawings
present a variety of sketches, taken on the spot, illustrative of the most admired
lake, river, and mountain scenery in Scotland.
In 1804 Mr. Campbell first appeared as a poet by the publication of his
“Grampians Desolate”-a work which, in his own words on a subsequent
occasion, “fell. dead from the press.” The notes-forming nearly half the
volume, a goodly octavo-contain much interesting information ; but the poem
posesses little merit, although here and there a few pretty enough lines occur.
The work, however, is honourable to his feelings and his patriotism. He reverts
with enthusiasm to the days
“When every glen, and hill, and mountain side,
A hardy race possessed-proud Albion’s pride ! ”
The reverse of the picture claims his most intense regard :-
“ The times are altered-desolation reigns
Amid the Alpine wilds and narrow plains !
The morlrnful muse recounts those recent ills
Which swept along the hoary Grampian hills !
And dost thon, stranger from afar, inquire
Where stood the Chieftain’s hall, whose evening fire
Saluted oft the weary traveller’s gaze,
As onward hastening to the social blaze?
Where stood each lowly cottage, ranged around,
Within the cultured in-fild’s ancient bound.
Beside the streamletnear the sheltering hill,
Where stood the smithy, where the hamlet’s mill,
Whose ringing anvil, and whose clapper told
Their cheering tales of toil to young and old P
i i
He had previously published-“ Twelve Songs, set to Music, by Alexander Campbell, Edinburgh.”
A paraphrase of
the Maniac’s Song in the Xan of RzZing-
The words of only one of these appear to have been written by himself.
‘‘ Light be the turf on Billy’s breast ”-
forms the last in the collection.
Cordon, Hamilton, etc.
In the list of subscriben appear the names of Argyle, Balcamas,
