nt into service, by his ca gin, bursting, by the force of fortune to lose his sight. The cottage, whic was of at the forge door, and request a pery Thus Leyden was ten years of age before he had an ent brief memorial will e whom the elasticity t d to distinction from an obec n Leyden was descended , long settled upon the e Teviot, Roxburghshire, Se tion some traditiona! rhym rs had composed, and to cos another, who had taken ar ronians, about the time of t inguished himself by his g the church-yard of Dunk nst a superior body of H eland, the leader of these rus their head. John Leyden, enholm, and parish of Care la Scott, his wife, were the still survive to deplore the r honour alike of his famifer chable life, and simplicity em to the respect and k nd to the protection of the hose estate The woodland's sombre shade that peasants fear, Hoard in the breeze the wandorine spirits sigh The vanid nunmana of the contrived to make some modern additions. The nature of his abstruse studies, some specimens of natural history, as toads and adders, left exposed in their spiritvials, and one or two practical jests played off upon the more curious of the peasantry, rendered his gloomy haunt not only venerated by the wise, but feared by the simple of the parish, who began to account this abstracted student like the gifted person described by Wordsworth, as possessing waking empire wide as dreams, An ample sovereignty of eye and ear; About the time he resided at St. Andrew's, the renown pieces of poetry in almost every style and stanza which of Mungo Park, and Leyden's enthusiastic attachment our language affords, from an unfinished tragedy on the to all researches connected with oriental learning, fate of the Darien settlement, to songs, ballads, and comic turned his thoughts towards the history of Africa, in tales. Many of these essays afterwards found their way which he found much to enchant an imagination that to the press through the medium of the Edinburgh Maloved to dwell upon the grand, the marvellous, the roman-gasine, as already mentioned. In this periodical miscel tic, and even the horrible, and which was rather fired lany appeared, from time to time, poetical translations than appalled by the picture of personal danger and from the Greek Anthology, from the Norse, from the severe privation. Africa, indeed, had peculiar charms for Hebrew, from the Arabic, from the Syriac, from the PerLeyden. He delighted to read of hosts, whose arrows sian, and so forth, with many original pieces, indicating intercepted the sun-beams; of kings and leaders, who more genius than taste, and an extent of learning of most Rich are his walks with supernatural cheer: judged of the numberless number of their soldiers by unusual dimensions. These were subscribed J. L.; and marching them over the trunk of a cedar, and only the author of this article well remembers how often his The region of his inner spirit teems With vital sounds, and monitory gleams deemed their strength sufficient to take the field when attention was attracted by them about the years 1793 Of high astonishment and pleasing fear. such myriads had passed as to reduce the solid timber to and 1794, and the speculations which he formed respectimpalpable dust; the royal halls also of Dahomy, built of ing an author, who, by many indicia, appeared to belong This was a distinction which, as we have already skulls and cross-bones, and moistened with the daily to a part of Scotland with which he himself was well ac hinted, he was indeed not unwilling to affect, and to blood of new victims of tyranny ;—all, in short, that pre- quainted. About this time also Mr. Archibald Constable, which, so far as the visions existing in the high fancy of sented strange, wild, and romantic views of what have whose enterprising and liberal conduct of business has the poet can supply those ascribed to the actual ghost-been quaintly entitled "the ultimities and summities of since made his name so conspicuous as a publisher, was seer, he had indeed no slight pretensions. human nature," and which furnished new and unheard of opening business chiefly as a retailer of curious and an Books as well as retirement were necessary to the facts in the history of man, had great fascination for his cient books, a department in which he possessed extenprogress of Leyden's studies, and not always attainable. ardent imagination. And about this time he used to sive knowledge; Mr. Richard Heber, the extent of But his research collected from every quarter such as come into company, quite full of these extraordinary whose invaluable library is generally known, was, in the were accessible by loan, and he subjected himself to the stories garnished faithfully with the unpronounceable winter of 1799-1800, residing in Edinburgh, and a fre utmost privations to purchase those that were not other-names of the despots and tribes of Africa, which any quenter of course of Mr. Constable's shop, where he wise to be procured. The reputation also of his pros- one at a distance would have taken for the exorcism of a made many valuable acquisitions, at a rate very different perous career of learning obtained him occasional ac- conjuror. The fruit of his researches he gave to the from the exactions of the present day. In these recess to the library at Cavers; an excellent old collection, public in a small volume, entitled "A Historical and searches he formed an acquaintance with Leyden, who in which he met, for the first time, many of those works Philosophical Sketch of the Discoveries and Settlements examined, as an amateur, the shelves which Mr. Heber of the middle ages which he studied with so much re- of the Europeans in Northern and Western Africa, at the ransacked as a purchaser, and the latter discovered with search and success. A Froissart, in particular, trans-close of the 18th century," crown 8vo. 1799. It is writ-pleasure the unknown author of the poems which I have lated by Lord Berners, captivated his attention with all ten on the plan of Raynal's celebrated work, and as it con- already alluded to. The acquaintance soon ripened into those tales "to savage virtue dear," which coincided tains a clear and lively abridgment of the information friendship, and was cemented by mutual advantage. Mr. with his taste for chivalry, and with the models on afforded by travellers whose works are of rare occurrence, Heber had found an associate as ardent as himself which it had been formed: and tales of the Black it was favourably received by the public. Among Ley-in the pursuit of classical knowledge, and who would Prince, of the valiant Chandos, and of Geoffrey Tete- den's native hills, however, there arose a groundless re- sit up night after night to collate editions, and to note Noire, now rivalled the legends of Johnnie Armstrong, port that this work was compiled for the purpose of various readings; and Leyden, besides the advantage and Walter the Devil, and the Black Douglas. questioning whether the evidence of Mungo Park went instruction which he derived from Mr. Heber's society, In the country, Leyden's society was naturally consi- the length of establishing the western course of the enjoyed that of being introduced, by his powerful recomderably restricted, but while at college it began to ex- Niger. This unfounded rumour gave offence to some of mendation, to the literary gentlemen of Edinburgh, with tend itself among such of his fellow students as were Mr. Park's friends, nicely jealous of the fame of their whom he lived in intimacy. Among these may be distinguished for proficiency in learning. Among these countryman, of whom they had such just reason to be reckoned the late Lord Woodhouselee, Mr. Henry we may number the celebrated author of the Pleasures proud. And thus, what would have been whimsical Mackenzie, the distinguished author of The Man of Feelof Hope; the Rev. Alexander Murray, united with Ley- enough, the dispute regarding the course of the Niger ing, and the Rev. Mr. Sidney Smith, then residing in den in the kindred pursuit of oriental learning, and whose in Africa, had nearly occasioned a feud upon the Scottish Edinburgh, from all of whom Leyden received flattering lamp, like that of his friend, was extinguished at the mo- border. For John Leyden happening to be at Hawick attention, and many important testimonies of the interest ment when it was placed in the most conspicuous eleva- while the upper troop of Roxburghshire yeomanry were which they took in his success. By the same introduc vation;* William Erskine, with whom Leyden renewed quartered there, was told, with many exaggerations, of tion he became intimate in the family of Mr. Walter his friendship in India; the late ingenious Dr. Thomas menaces thrown out against him, and advised to leave Scott, where a congenial taste for ballad, romance, and Brown, distinguished for his early proficiency in the the town. Leyden was then in the act of quitting the border antiquities, as well as a sincere admiration of Ley. science of moral philosophy, of which he was professor place; but, instead of expediting his retreat, in conse-den's high talents, extensive knowledge, and excellent in the Edinburgh College; the Rev. Robert Lundie, quence of this friendly hint, he instantly marched to the heart, secured him a welcome reception. And by degrees Minister of Kelso, and several other young men of market-place, at the time when the corps paraded there, his society extended itself still more widely, and compre talents, who at that time pursued their studies in the humming surlily, like one of Ossian's heroes, the frag- hended almost every one who was distinguished for University of Edinburgh. ment of a border song, taste or talents in Edinburgh. The manners of Leyden, when he first entered the higher ranks of society, were very peculiar; nor indeed were they at any time much modified during his continuing in Europe; and here, perhaps, as properly as elsewhere, we may endeavour to give some idea of his Leyden was also fortunate enough to attract the notice I've done nae ill, I'll brook nae wrang, and patronage of Dr. Robert Anderson, of Edinburgh, the first man of letters who presented the public with a But back to Wamphray I will gang. complete edition of English poetry, from the time of His appearance and demeanour were construed into Chaucer downwards. The notice and encouragement seeking a quarrel, with which his critics, more majorum, of a gentleman, whose benevolence of disposition placed would readily have indulged him, had not friendly inter-personal appearance and deportment in company. all his literary experience at the command of the young position appeased the causeless resentment of both par- In his complexion the clear red upon the cheek indistudent, was of the utmost consequence to the direction ties. The History of African Discoveries, Leyden pro-cated a hectic propensity, but with his brown hair, lively of his studies, and was always warmly remembered and posed to extend to four volumes 8vo. and had made great dark eyes, and well-proportioned features, gave an acute kindly acknowledged by John Leyden, who, under the preparations for the work; he was in constant communi- and interesting turn of expression to his whole counte doctor's patronage, had also an opportunity of trying his cation on the subject with Messrs. Longman and Co., nance. He was of middle stature, of a frame rather thin young wings by a flight or two in the poetical depart- by whom it was to have been published, and some than strong built, but muscular and active, and well fitted ment of the Edinburgh Magazine. sheets were actually printed, when the design was inter- for all those athletic exertions, in which he delighted to In the year 1796, after five or six years spent at the rupted by his Indian voyage. be accounted a master. For he was no less anxious to College of Edinburgh, the recommendation of Professor On Leyden's return to Edinburgh from St. Andrew's, be esteemed a man eminent for learning and literary Dalzell procured Leyden the situation of private tutor he resided with his pupils in the family of Mr. Campbell, talent, than to be held a fearless player at single-stick, a to the sons of Mr. Campbell of Fairfield, a situation where he was treated with that respect and kindness formidable boxer, and a distinguished adept at leaping, which he retained for two or three years. During the win-which every careful father will pay to him whose lessons running, walking, climbing, and all exercises which deter of 1798, he attended the two young gentlemen to their he expects his children to receive with attention and ad-pend on animal spirits and muscular exertion. Feats of studies at the College of St. Andrew's. Here he had vantage. His hours, excepting those of tuition, were at this nature he used to detail with such liveliness as the advantage of the acquaintance of Professor Hunter, his own uncontrolled disposal, and such of his friends as sometimes led his audience to charge him with exaggeraan admirable classical scholar, and to whose kind instruc- chose to visit him at Mr. Campbell's, were secure of a tion; but, unlike the athletic in Æsop's apologue, he was tions he professed much obligation. The secluded situa- hospitable reception. This class began now to extend always ready to attempt the repetition of his great leap tion also of St. Andrew's, the monastic life of the stu- itself among persons of an older standing than his con- at Rhodes, were it at the peril of breaking his neck on dents, the fragments of antiquity with which that once temporaries, and embraced several who had been placed the spot. And certainly in many cases his spirit and metropolitan town is surrounded, and the libraries of its by fortune, or had risen by exertions, to that fixed sta-energy carried him through enterprises, which his colleges, gave him additional opportunity and impulse to tion in society, to which his college intimates were as friends considered as most rashly undertaken. An inpursue his favourite plans of study. yet only looking forward. His acquaintance with Mr. stance occurred on board of ship in India, where two Richard Heber was the chief means of connecting him gentlemen, by way of ridiculing Leyden's pretensions to * This amiable man, and great orientalist, died within with several families of the former description, and it agility, offered him a bet of sixty gold mohrs that he a few months after he had been appointed to the chair of originated in the following circumstances. could not go aloft. Our bard instantly betook himself to the Hebrew professorship in the University of Edinburgh, John Leyden's feelings were naturally poetical, and the shrouds, and, at all the risk incident to a landsman in consequence of such a list of splendid attestations of he was early led to express them in the language of who first attempts such an ascent, successfully scaled his qualifications, as has rarely honoured the most distin- poetry. Before he visited St. Andrew's, and while resid- the maintop. There it was intended to subject him to a guished scholars. ing there, he had composed both fragments and complete usual practical sea joke, by seizing him up, i. c. tying PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY ADAM WALDIE, No. 6, North Eighth street, Philadelphia-At $5 for 52 numbers, payable in advance. NO. 7. him, till he should redeem himself by paying a fine. ness to all with whom he mingled, unwearied in their pel, and entered upon the functions then conferred upon But the spirit of Leyden dictated desperate resistance, service, and watchful to oblige them. To gratify the him, by preaching in several of the churches in Edinand, finding he was likely to be overpowered, he flung slightest wish of a friend, he would engage at once in burgh and the neighbourhood. His style of pulpit orahimself from the top, and, seizing a rope, precipitated the most toilsome and difficult researches, and when tory was marked with the same merits and faults which himself on deck by letting it slide rapidly through his perhaps that friend had forgotten he ever intimated such distinguish his poetry. His style was more striking than grasp. In this operation he lost the skin of both hands, a wish, Leyden came to pour down before him the full- rhetorical, and his voice and gesture more violent than but of course won his wager. But when he observed his est information on the subject which had excited his elegant; but his discourses were marked with strong friends look grave at the expensive turn which their jest attention. And his temper was in reality, and notwith-traits of original genius, and although he pleaded an inhad taken, he tore and flung into the sea the order for standing an affectation of roughness, as gentle as it was ternal feeling of disappointment at being unequal to atthe money which they had given him, and contented generous. No one felt more deeply for the distress of tain his own ideas of excellence as a preacher, it was himself with the triumph which his spirit and agility had those he loved. No one exhibited more disinterested impossible to listen to him without being convinced of gained. This little anecdote may illustrate his character pleasure in their success. In dispute, he never lost his uncommon extent of learning, knowledge of ethics, in more respects than one. temper, and if he despised the outworks of ceremony, and sincere zeal for the interest of religion. In society, John Leyden's first appearance had some- he never trespassed upon the essentials of good-breed- The autumn of the same year was employed in a tour thing that revolted the fastidious and alarmed the deli-ing, and was himself the first to feel hurt and distressed to the Highlands and Hebrides, in which Leyden accate. He was a bold and uncompromising disputant, if he conceived that he had, by any rash or hasty expres-companied two young foreigners who had studied at and neither subdued his tone, nor modified the form of sion, injured the feelings of the most inconsiderable Edinburgh the preceding winter. In this tour he visited his argument, out of deference to the rank, age, or even member of the company. In all the rough play of his all the remarkable places of that interesting part of his sex, of those with whom he was maintaining it. His argument too, he was strictly good-humoured, and was native country, and diverging from the common and voice, which was naturally loud and harsh, was on such the first to laugh, if, as must happen occasionally to those more commodious route, visited what are called the occasions exaggerated into what he himself used to call who talk much, and upon every subject, some disputant rough bounds of the Highlands, and investigated the dehis saw-tones, which were not very pleasant to the ear of of less extensive but more accurate information, con- caying traditions of Celtic manners and story which are sirangers. His manner was animated, his movements trived to arrest him in his very pitch of pride, by a home yet preserved in the wild districts of Moidart and Knoiabrupt, and the gestures with which he enforced his ar- fact or incontrovertible argument. And, when his dart. The journal which he made on this occasion was guments rather forcible than elegant; so that, altogether, high and independent spirit, his firm and steady princi-a curious monument of his zeal and industry in these his first appearance was somewhat appalling to persons ples of religion and virtue, his constant good-humour, researches, and contained much valuable information on of low animal spirits, or shy and reserved habits, as well the extent and variety of his erudition, and the liveliness the subject of Highland manners and traditions, which as to all who expected much reverence in society on ac- of his conversation, were considered, they must have is now probably lost to the public. It is remarkable, count of the adventitious circumstances of rank or sta- been fastidious indeed who were not reconciled to the that after long and painful research in quest of original tion. Besides, his spirits were generally at top-flood, foibles or peculiarities of his tone and manner. passages of the poems of Ossian, he adopted an opinion and entirely occupied with what had last arrested his at- Many of those whose genius has raised them to distinc-more favourable to their authenticity than has lately tention; and thus his own feats, or his own studies, were tion, have fallen into the fatal error of regarding their prevailed in the literary world. But the confessed infihis topic more frequently than is consistent with the wit and talents as an excuse for the unlimited indulgence delity of Macpherson must always excite the strongest order of good company, in which every person has a of their passions, and their biographers have too fre- suspicion on this subject. Leyden composed, with his right to expect his share of conversation. He was quently to record the acts of extravagance, and habits usual facility, several detached poems upon Highland indeed too much bent on attaining personal distinction in of immorality, which disgraced and shortened their traditions, all of which have probably perished, exceptsociety to choose nicely the mode of acquiring it. For lives. From such crimes and follies John Leyden stood ing a ballad founded upon the romantic legend respectexample, in the course of a large evening party, crowded free and stainless. He was deeply impressed with the ing Macphail of Colonsay and the Mermaid of Corriewith fashionable people, to many of whom Leyden was truths of Christianity, of which he was at all times a vrekin, inscribed to Lady Charlotte Campbell, and an absolute stranger, silence being imposed for the pur- ready and ardent asserter, and his faith was attested by published in the third volume of the Border Minstrelsy, pose of a song, one of his friends with great astonish- the purity of morals, which is its best earthly evidence. which appeared at the distance of about a twelvemonth ment, and some horror, heard Leyden, who could not To the pleasures of the table he was totally indifferent, after the two first volumes of that work. The opening sing a note, scream forth a verse or two of some border-never exceeded the bounds of temperance in wine, of this ballad exhibits a power of numbers, which, for ditty, with all the dissonance of an Indian war-whoop. though frequently in society where there was tempta- the mere melody of sound, has seldom been excelled in In their way home, his friend ventured to remonstrate tion to do so, and seemed hardly to enjoy any refresh-English poetry:* Nor were these legendary effusions with him on this extraordinary exhibition, to which his ment excepting tea, of which he sometimes drank very the only fruit of his journey; for in his passage through defence was, “Dash it, man, they would have thought large quantities. When he was travelling or studying, Aberdeen, Leyden so far gained the friendship of the was afraid to sing before them." In short, his egotism, his temperance became severe abstinence, and he often venerable Professor Beattie, that he obtained his perhis bold assumption in society, his affectation of neglect- passed an entire day without any other food than a mor- mission to make a transcript from the only existing ing many of its forms as trifles beneath his notice, cir- sel of bread. To sleep he was equally indifferent, and copy of the interesting poem entitled Albania. This cumstances which often excited against his first appear- when, during the latter part of his residence in Edin- work, which is a panegyric on Scotland, in nervous ance an undue and disproportionate prejudice, were en-burgh, he frequently spent the day in company, he blank verse, written by an anonymous author in the tirely founded upon the resolution to support his inde- used, upon retiring home, to pursue his studies till a beginning of the eighteeneh century, Leyden afterwards pendence, and to assert that character formed between late hour in the morning, and satisfy himself with a republished along with Wilson's Clyde, under the title the lettered scholar, and the wild rude borderer, the coun- very brief portion of repose. It was the opinion of his of Scottish Descriptive Poems, 12mo, 1802. terpart, as it were, of Anacharsis, the philosophic Scy- friends, that his strict temperance alone could have en- In 1801, when Mr. Lewis published his Tales of Wonthian, which, from his infancy, he was ambitious of abled him to follow so hard a course of reading as he der, Leyden was a contributor to that collection, and maintaining. enjoined himself. His pecuniary resources were neces-furnished the ballad called the Elf-King. And in the His humble origin was with him rather a subject of sarily much limited; but he knew that independence, following year, he employed himself earnestly in the honest pride than of false shame, and he was internally and the title of maintaining a free and uncontrolled de- congenial task of procuring materials for the Minstrelsy not unwilling that his deportment should to a certain de-meanour in society, can only be attained by avoiding of the Scottish Border, the first publication of the editor gree partake of the simplicity of the ranks from which pecuniary embarrassments, and he managed his funds of that collection. In this labour he was equally interhe had raised himself by his talents, to bear a share in with such severe economy, that he seemed always at the first society. He boasted in retaining these marks case upon his very narrow income. ested by friendship for the editor, and by his own pa. triotic zeal for the honour of the Scottish Borders, and of his birth, as the Persian tribe, when raised to the rank We have only another trait to add to his character as both may be judged of from the following circumstance. of kings and conquerors, still displayed as their banner a member of society. With all his bluntness and pecu- An interesting fragment had been obtained of an ancient the leathern apron of the smith who founded their dy-liarity, and under disadvantages of birth and fortune, historical ballad, but the remainder, to the great disnasty. He bore, however, with great good-humour all Leyden's reception among females of rank and elegance turbance of the editor and his coadjutor, was not to be decent raillery on his rough manners, and was often was favourable in a distinguished degree. Whether it recovered. Two days afterwards, while the editor was ready to promote such pleasantry by his own example. is that the tact of the fair sex is finer than ours, or that sitting with some company after dinner, a sound was When a lady of rank and fashion one evening insisted they more readily pardon peculiarity in favour of origi-heard at a distance like that of the whistling of a temupon his dancing, he wrote next morning a lively poetical nality, or that an uncommon address and manner is in pest through the torn rigging of the vessel which scuds epistle to her in the character of a dancing bear. This itself a recommendation to their favour, or that they are before it. The sounds increased as they approached was his usual mode of escaping or apologising for any not so readily offended as the male sex by a display of more near, and Leyden (to the great astonishment of becue which his high spirits and heedless habits might superior learning-in short, whatever were the cause, such of the guests as did not know him) burst into the lead him to commit, and several very pretty copies of it is certain that Leyden was a favourite among those room, chanting the desiderated ballad, with the most complimentary verses were a sort of peace-offerings for whose favour all are ambitious to attain. Among the enthusiastic gesture, and all the energy of the sawtrivial encroachments upon the ceremonial of society. ladies of distinction who honoured him with their re-tones of his voice already commemorated. It turned Having thus marked strongly the defects of his man- gard, it is sufficient to notice the late Duchess of Gor-out, that he had walked between forty and fifty miles, ner, and the prejudice which they sometimes excited, don, and Lady Charlotte Campbell, [now Bury, who and back again, for the sole purpose of visiting an old we crave credit from the public, while we record the were then leaders of the fashionable society of Edin-person who possessed this precious remnant of antireal virtues and merits by which they were atoned a burgh. It is time to return to trace the brief events of thousand-fold. Leyden's apparent harshness of address his life. * It will be found at the close of this biographical covered a fund of real affection to his friends, and kind-] In 1800, Leyden was ordained a preacher of the gos- sketch.-Ed. reader. clergyman. quity. His antiquarian researches and poetic talents Teviot to distant countries, to Africa, to India, and to remnants of a human hand in his pocket, which he had were also liberally exerted for the support of this un- America, to the palaces of Gondar, and the enchanted been dissecting in the morning, and on some question dertaking. To the former, the reader owes in a great halls of the Caliph Vathek. Indeed, as Leyden's read-being stirred about the muscular action, he was with measure the Dissertation on Fairy Superstition, which, ing was at all times somewhat ostentatiously displayed, difficulty withheld from producing this grisly evidence although arranged and digested by the editor, abounds so in his poetry he was sometimes a little too ambitious in support of the argument which he mantained. The with instances of such curious reading as Leyden alone in introducing scientific allusions or terms of art, which character of Leyden cannot be understood without inenhad read, and was originally compiled by him and to embarrassed instead of exalting the simplicity of his de- tioning these circumstances that are allied to oddity; the latter the spirited ballads entitled Lord Soulis and scriptions. But when he is contented with a pure and but it is not so casy to body forth those qualities of ener the Cout of Keeldar. natural tone of feeling and expression, his poetical gy, application, and intelligence, by which he dignified Leyden's next publication was The Complaynt of Scol-powers claim the admiration and sympathy of every his extravagances. and vindicated his assumption of land, a new edition of an ancient and singularly rare merit, far less to paint his manly, generous and friendly tract bearing that title, written by an uncertain author, The friends of Leyden began now to be anxious for disposition. about the year 1548. This curious work was pub- his permanent settlement in life. He had been for two In December 1802, Leyden was sumoned to join the lished by Mr. Constable, in the year 1801. As the tract years in orders, and there was every reason to hope Christmas fleet of Indiamen, in consequence of his apwas itself of a diffuse and comprehensive nature, touch- that he might soon obtain a church, through the nume-pointment as assistant surgeon on the Madras establishing upon many unconnected topics, both of public policy rous friends and powerful interest which he now pos-ment. It was sufficiently understood that his medical and private life, as well as treating of the learning, the sessed. More than one nobleman of high rank expressed character was only assumed to bring him within the poetry, the music, and the arts of that early period, it a wish to serve him, should any church in. their gift compass of Mr. Dundas's patronage, and that his talents gave Leyden an opportunity of pouring fourth such a become vacant; and from the recommendation of other should be employed in India with reference to his literary profusion of antiquarian knowledge in the Preliminary friends to those possessed of political interest, he was researches. He was, however, pro forma, nominated Dissertation, Notes, and Glossary, as one would have almost assured of being provided for, by a crown presen- to the Madras hospital. While awaiting this call, he thought could hardly have been accumulated during so tation, on some early opportunity. But his eager desire bent his whole energies to the study of the Oriental short a life, dedicated, too, to so many and varied stu- of travelling, and of extending the bounds of literary and languages, and amused his hours of leisure by adding to dies. The intimate acquaintance which he has displayed geographical knowledge, had become, as he expressed the Scenes of Infancy, many of those passages adressed with Scottish antiquities of every kind, from manuscript himself to an intimate friend, "his thought by day and to his friends, and bearing a particular reference to his histories and rare chronicles down to the tradition his dream by night, and the discoveries of Mungo Park own situation on the eve of departure from Scotland; of the peasant, and the rhymes even of the nursery, haunted his very slumbers." When the risk was ob-which, flowing warm from the heart, constitute the evince an extent of research, power of arrangement, jected to him, he used to answer in the phrase of Ossian, principal charm of that impressive poem. Mr. Ballanand facility of recollection, which has never been" Dark Cuchullin will be renowned or dead," and it bc-tync, of Kelso, an early and intimate friend of Leyden, equalled in this department. came hopeless to think that this eager and aspiring spirit had just then established in Edinburgh his press, which This singular work was the means of introducing ed to the humble, though useful, duties of a country of a valued and learned friend, and to the friendly, as could be confined within the narrow sphere, and limit. has since been so distinguished. To the critical skill Leyden to the notice and correspondence of Mr. Ritson, the celebrated antiquary, who, in a journey to Scotland, well as professional care of Mr. Ballantyne, Leyden during the next summer, found nothing which delighted It was therefore now the wish of his friends to turn this committed this last memorial of his love to his nativǝ him so much as the conversation of the editor of the irresistible thirst for discovery into some channel which land. The last sheets reached him before he left BriComplaynt of Scotland, in whose favour he smoothed might at once gratify the predominant desire of his tain, no more to return. down and softened the natural asperity of his own dis-heart, and be attended with some prospect of securing Upon examining these, it would appear that he ima position. The friendship, however, between these two his fortune. It was full time to take such steps; for gined his critical friends had exercised, with more rigour authors was broken off by Leyden's running his Border in 1802 Leyden had actually commenced overtures to than mercy, the prerogative of retrenchment with which hobby-horse a full tilt against the Pythagorean palfry the African Society, for undertaking a journey of dis- he had invested them. He complains of these alteraof the English antiquary. Ritson, it must be well recovery through the interior of that continent; an enter-tions in a letter, which is no bad picture of his manner membered, had written a work against the use of ani- prise which sad examples had shown to be little better in conversation. It is dated from the Isle of Wight, mal food; Leyden, on the other hand, maintained it than an act of absolute suicide. To divert his mind where he states himself to be "like a weathercock, was a part of a masculine character to eat whatever from this desperate project, a representation was made veering about with every wind," expecting and hoping came to hand, whether the substance was vegetable or to the Right Hon. William Dundas, who had then a every moment when the boatswain's whistle should pipe animal, cooked or uncooked; and he concluded a tirade seat at the Board of Control, stating the talents and all hands on board, and that he may be off from the old to this purpose, by eating a raw beef-steak before the disposition of Leyden, and it was suggested that such a island for ever in fifteen miuutes. "I fancy," he con terrified antiquary, who never afterwards could be pre-person might be usefully employed in investigating the tinues, "you expect to receive a wagon-load, at least, of vailed upon to regard him, except as a kind of learned language and learning of the Indian tribes. Mr. Dun- thanks for your mid-wife skill, in swaddling my bantOgre. This breach, however, did not happen till das entered with the most liberal alacrity into these ling so tight, that I fear it will be strangled in the they met in London, previous to Leyden's leaving views; but it happened, unfortunately as it might seem, growth ever after. On the contrary, I have in my own Britain. that the sole appointment then at his disposal was that mind been triumphing famously over you, and your Meanwhile other pursuits were not abandoned in the of surgeon's assistant, which could only be held by a razor witted, hair-splitting, intellectual associate, whose study of Scottish antiquities. The Edinburgh Maga-person who had taken a surgical degree, and could sus- tastes I do not pretend to think any thing like equal to zine was united in 1802 with the old Scots Magazine,tain an examination before the Medical Board at the my own, though, before I left Scotland, I thought them and was now put under the management of Leyden by India House. amazingly acute; but I fancy there is something in a Mr. Constable the publisher. To this publication, dur- It was upon this occasion that Leyden showed, in London atmosphere, which greatly brightens the under ing the period of his management, which was about five their utmost extent, his wonderful powers of application standing, and furbishes the taste. This is all the ves or six months, he contributed several occasional pieces and comprehension. He at once intimated his readiness geance you have unfortunately left in my power, of prose and poetry, in all of which he was successful, to accept the appointment under the conditions annexed sincerely am of opinion, that you ought to have adopted excepting in those where humour was required, which to it; and availing himself of the superficial informa- the alterations in the first sheet, which I think most talent, notwithstanding his unvaried hilarity of tem- tion he had formerly acquired by a casual attendance indubitably better than those you have retained. The per, Leyden did not possess. He was also, during this upon one or two of the medical classes, he gave his verses you excluded were certainly the most.original in year, engaged with his Scenes of Infancy, a poem which whole mind to the study of medicine and surgery, with all the second canto, and certainly the next best to the was afterwards published on the eve of his leaving Bri-the purpose of qualifying himself for his degree in the Spectre Ship, in the whole poem; and I defy you and tain, and in which he has interwoven his own early short space of five or six months. The labour which he -, and the whole Edinburgh Review, to impeach their feelings and recollections with the description and tra- underwent on this occasion was actually incredible; but originality. And what is more, they contained the ditional history of his native vale of Teviot. His indi- with the powerful assistance of a gentleman of the high-winding sheet of the dead child, wet with a mother's vidual partiality may be also traced in this interesting est eminence in his profession, (the late Mr. John Bell repining tears, which was the very idea for the sake of poem. Cavers and Denholm, the scenes of his childhood, of Edinburgh,) he succeeded in acquiring such a know-which I wrote the whole episode; so you have curtailed and Harden, formerly the seat of an ancient family from ledge of this complicated and most difficult art, as en- what I liked, and left what I did not care a sixpence which one of his friends is descended, detain him with abled him to obtain his diploma as surgeon with credit, about, for I would not have been half so enraged, if you particular fondness. The poem was composed at differ-even in the city of Edinburgh, so long famed for its had omitted the whole episode; and what is most pro ent intervals, and much altered before publication. In medical school, and for the wholesome rigour adopted voking of all, you expect the approbation of every man particular, as it was originally written, the right or in the distribution of degrees. Leyden was, however, of taste for this butchery, this mangling and botching! southern side of the Teviot was first surveyed, ere the incautious in boasting of his success after so short a By Apollo, if I knew of any man of taste that approved poet took notice of the streams and scenery of the course of study, and found himself obliged, in conse-of it, I would cut his tongue out. But my only revenge northern banks. A friend objected, that this arrange-quence of his imprudence, to relinquish his intention of is to triumph over your bad tastes. When mcut was rather geographical than poetical, upon which taking out the degree of M. D. at Edinburgh, and to showed me this part, I tore the sheet in wrath, and Leyden new-modelled the whole poem, and introduced have recourse to another Scottish University for that swore I would have a Calcutta edition, for the mer the subjects in their natural order, as they would occur step in his profession. Meanwhile the sudden change purpose of exposing your spurious one. But you need to the traveller who should trace the river from its of his profession gave great amusement to some of his not mind much his critical observations. He is a sensource to its junction with the Tweed. It is another friends, especially when a lady having fainted in a sible fellow, points very well, understands music, hasa remarkable circumstance, that the author has interwo-crowded assembly, Dr. Leyden advanced to her assist-fine taste for ornamenting, and perhaps for printing, ven in this poem many passages which were originally ance, and went through the usual routine of treatment but he has too fat brains for originality. Now, my dear either fragments or parts of essays upon very different with all the gravity which beseemed his new faculty. Ballantyne, though I lift up my voice like a trumpet subjects. This will in some degree account for the In truth, the immediate object of his studies was al- against your bad taste in criticism, yet I give you all similes, in particular, not being always such as the subways, in season and out of season, predominant in Ley-due credit for good intentions, and my warmest thanks ject seems naturally to suggest, but rather calculated den's mind; and just about this time, he went to the for the trouble you have taken, only do not talk of men to distract the attention, by hurrying it from the vale of evening party of a lady of the highest rank with the of taste approving of your vile critical razors-razors of for I to be scarification! Now, my dear fellow, farewell; commend the clerks whispered me that a great many passengers down to Calicut from Cananore, intending to pay my me warmly to your good motherly mother, and your have been drowned. About filly persons have perish- respects to the cutwall, and the admiral, so famous in the brothers. I shall be happy to hear of you, and from ed. So you see there is some virtue in the old proverb, Lusiad of Camoens; but only think of my disappoint. you, in my exile, and believe me, my dear Ballantyne, He that is born to be hanged,' &c. I feel a strange ment when I found that the times are altered, and the "Yours, most sincerely, mixture of solemnity and satisfaction, and begin to trust tables turned with respect to both these sublime charac JOHN LEYDEN." my fortune more than ever." ters. The cutwall is only a species of borough-bailiff, About the middle of December 1802, John Leyden After this providential exchange of destination, the while the admiral, God help him, is only the chief of the left Edinburgh, but not exactly at the time he had pro- delay of the vessel to which he was transferred, permit-fishermen. From Calicut I proceeded to Paulgantcherry, posed. He had taken a solemn farewell of his friends, ted his residence in London until the beginning of April which significs, in the Tamal language, the town of and gone to Roxburghshire to bid adieu to his parents, 1803, an interval which he spent in availing himself of the forest of palms,' which is exactly the meaning of whom he regarded with the most tender filial affection, the opportunities which he now enjoyed, of mixing in Tadmor, the name of a city founded by Solomon, not and from thence he intended to have taken his departure the most distinguished society in the metropolis, where for the queen of Sheba, but, as it happened, for the for London without returning to Edinburgh. Some ac- the novelty and good humour of his character made am-equally famous Queen Zenobia. Thus having demoncident changed his purpose, and his unexpected arrival ple amends for the native bluntness of his manners. Instrated that Solomon understood the Tamal language, at Edinburgh was picture que, and somewhat startling. the beginning of April, he sailed from Portsmouth in we may proceed to construct a syllogism in the followA party of his friends had met in the evening to talk the Hugh Inglis, where he had the advantage of being ing manner: Solomon understood the Tamal language, over his merits, and to drink, in Scottish phrase, his on board the same vessel with Mr. Robert Smith, the and he was wise,-I understand the Tamal language, Bonallie. While, about the witching hour, they were brother of his steady friend, the Rev. Mr. Sidney Smith. therefore I am as wise as Solomon! I fear you logical crowning a solemn bumper to his health, a figure burst And thus set forth on his voyage, perhaps the first British lads of Europe will be very little disposed to admit the into the room, muffled in a seaman's cloak and travelling traveller that ever sought India, moved neither by the legitimacy of the conclusion; but, however the matter cap, covered with snow, and distinguishable only by the love of wealth nor of power, and who, despising alike may stand in Europe, I can assure you it's no bad reasharpness and ardour of the tone with which he ex- the luxuries commanded by the one, and the pomp at-soning for India. At Paulgantcherry I had a most terclaimed, "Dash it, boys, here I am again!" The start tached to the other, was guided solely by the wish of ex-rible attack of the liver, and should very probably have of astonishment and delight with which this unexpected tending our knowledge of oriental literature, and distin- passed away, or, as the Indians say, changed my cliapparition was received, was subject of great mirth at guishing himself as its most successful cultivator. This mate-an elegant periphrasis for dying however had I the time, and the circumstance has been since recalled pursuit he urged through health and through sickness, not obstinately resolved on living to have the pleasure of by most of the party with that mixture of pleasure and unshaken by all the difficulties arising from imperfect being revenged on all of you for your obstinate silence, melancholy, which attaches to the particulars of a last communication with the natives, from their prejudices, and perseverance therein to tho end. Hearing about the meeting with a beloved and valued friend. and those of their European masters, and from frequent iniddle of August, that a Bombay cruiser had touched change of residence; and unmoved either by the charms at Aleppo, between Quilon and Cochin, I made a despe In London, the kindness of Mr. IIeber, his own repu- of pleasure, of wealth, or of that seducing indolence to rate push through the jungles of the Cochin rajah's tation, and the recommendation of his Edinburgh which many men of literature have yielded, after over-country, in order to reach her, and arrived about three friends, procured Leyden much kindness and attention coming all other impediments. And to this pursuit he hours after she had set sail. Any body else would have among persons of rank and literary distinction. His chief protector and friend, however, was Mr. George of science as ever died in that of religion. We are un-right. I did neither one nor the other, but tuned my finally fell a sacrifice, as devoted a martyr in the cause died of chagrin, if they had not hanged themselves outEllis, the well known author of the Specimens of Anable to trace his Indian researches and travels with accu-pipes and played a spring to John o' Badenyon;' after cient English Poetry. To this gentleman he owed an obligation of the highest possible value, which we shall racy similar to that with which we have followed those which I set my elf coolly down and translated the fawhich preceded his departure from Europe, but we are mous Jewish tablets of brass, preserved in the synagogue give in his own words, in a letter to a friend in Edin-enabled to state the following outlines of his fortune in of Cochin ever since the days of Methusalem. Probaburgh, dated 13th January 1803, from which it appears the east. bly you may think this no more difficult a task than dethat a disorder, produced by over intense study and After a mutiny in the vessel, which was subdued by ciphering the brazen tablet on any door of Prince's or anxiety of mind, joined to the friendly intervention of the exertions of the officers and passengers, and in which Queen's street. But here I beg your pardon; for, so far Mr. Ellis, prevented his sharing, in all probability, the Leyden distinguished himself by his cool.ss and intre- from any body, Jew, Pagan, or Christian, having ever fate of other passengers on board the Hindostan, topidity, the Hugh Inglis arrived at Madras, and he was been able to do this before, I assure you the most learnwhich unfortunate ship he was originally destined, and transferred to the duties of his new profession. His no-ed men of the world have never been able to decide in which was cast away going down the river. mination as surgeon to the commissioners appointed to what language or in what alphabet they were written. "You will no doubt be surprised at my silence, and survey the ceded districts, seemed to promise ample op- As the character has for a long time been supposed to be indeed I cannot account for it myself; but I write you portunities for the cultivation of oriental learning. But antediluvian, it has for a long time been as much despaired now from the lobby of the East India House, to inform his health gave way under the fatigues of the climate; of as the Egyptian hieroglyphics. So much was the diwan you that G. Ellis has saved my life, for, without his in-and he has pathetically recorded, in his " Address to an or grand vizier, if you like it, astonished at the circum. terference, I should certainly, this precious day, have Indian Gold Coin," the inroads which were made on his stance, that he gave me to understand that I had only been snug in Davy's locker. At my arrival in town, or spirits and constitution. He was obliged to leave the to pass through the sacred cow in order to mcrit adoption rather on my journey, I was seized with violent cramps presidency of Madras, suffering an accumulation of dis-into the holy order of Bramins. I was forced, however, in my stomach, the consequence of my excessive exer- cases, and reached, with difficulty, Prince of Wales to decline the honour of the sacred cow, for unluckily tion before leaving Scotland, a part which you know, Island. During the passage, the vessel was chased by a Phalaris' bull, and Moses' calf, presented themselves to and a greater part you do not know. The clerks of the French privateer, which was the occasion of Leyden's my imagination, and it occurred to me that perhaps the India House, who, I suppose, never had the cramp of the composing, in his best style of border enthusiasin, an ram-rajah's cow might be a beast of the breed. Being stomach in their life, paid no kind of respect to this" Ode to a Malay Cris," or dagger, the only weapon on the eve of a new attack of the liver, I was forced to whatever, but with the most remorseless sang froid told which his reduced strength now admitted of his wield-leave Travancore with great precipitation, in the first me either to proceed to the Downs, or to vacate the ap-ing. The following letter to Mr. Ballantyne, dated from vessel that presented itself, which, as the devil would pointment. Neither of these alternatives were much to Prince of Wales Island, 24th October, 1805, gives a have it, was a Mapilla brig, bound to Puloo Penang, the my taste, especially as I found that getting on board at lively and interesting account of his occupations during newly erected presidency on the Straits of Malacca, the Downs would cost me at least £50 or £60 sterling, the first two years of his residence in India. where I have just arrived, after a perverse pestilent voy. which I imagined, unlike the bread cast upon the water, age, in which I have been terribly ill of revulsions of would not return even after many days. I, however, "Puloo Penang, October 24, 1805. bile and liver, without any of the conveniences which passed the principal forms, and was examined by Dr. "MY DEAR BALLANTYNE,—“ Finding an extra India- are almost necessary to a European in these parts, and Hunter on the diseases of warm climates, with tolerable man, the Revenge, which has put into this harbour in particularly to an invalid. We have had a very rough pas success, but most intolerable anguish, till I contrived to distress, bound to Europe, I take another opportunity of sage, the cabin very often all afloat, while I have been aggravate my distemper so much from pure fatigue and attempting to revive, or rather commence, an intercourse several times completely drenched. In addition to this, chagrin, and dodging attendance at the India House with my European friends, for since my arrival in India we have been pursued by a Frenchman, and kept in from ten till four every day, that Dr. Hunter obstinately I have not received a single scrap from one of them,-a constant state of alarm and agitation; and now, to confined me to my room for two days. These cursed Proh Deum! Mr. Constable excepted; and my friend mend the matter, I am writing you at a kind of naval clerks, however, whose laws are like those of the Medes Erskine writes me from Bombay, that none of you have tavern, while all around me is ringing with the vociferaand Persians, though I sincerely believe there is not one received the least intelligence of my motions since 1tion of tarpaulins, the hoarse bawling of sea oaths, and of them who has the slightest particle of taste for either left Europe. This is to me utterly astonishing and in-the rattling of the dice box. However, I flatter myself Arabic or Persian, not to speak of Sanscrit or Tamalic, comprehensible, considering the multitude of letters and I have received considerable benefit from the voyage, made out my appointment and order to sail in the Hin- parcels that I have despatched from Mysore, especially tedious and disgusting and vexatious as it has been. dostan, without the slightest attention to this circumstance, during my confinement for the liver disease at Seringa-Thank God, my dear fellow, that you have nothing to and I dare say they would not have been moved had I patam, where I had for several months the honour of in-do with tedious, tiresome, semi-savages, who have no written and addressed to them the finest ode ever writ-habiting the place of Tippoo's prime minister. I de-idea of the value of time whatsoever, and who will disten in Sanscrit, even though it had been superior to those scended into Malabar in the beginning of May, in order pute even more keenly about a matter of no importance of the sublime Jayadeva. Heber was in Paris, and to proceed to Bombay, and perhaps eventually up the whatsoever, than one that deserved the highest consider. every person with whom I had the slightest influence Persian Gulf as far as Bassorah, in order to try the effectation. Not knowing where to begin or where to end, I out of town; and Ellis, even in the distressed state of of a sea voyage. I was, however, too late, and the rains have said nothing of my previous rambles and traverses his family, as Lady Parker is just dying, and several had set in, and the last vessels sailed two or three days in Mysore, or elsewhere; of course, if nobody has heard others dangerously unwell of his relations, was my only before my arrival. As I am always a very lucky fellow, from me at all, all my proceedings must be completely a resource. That resource, however, sncceeded, and as well as an unlucky one, which all the world knows, it riddle. But I beg and request you to consider, that all this have just got permission to go in the Hugh Inglis to so fell out that the only vessel which sailed after my ar-it is utterly out of my power to prevent, if nobody whatMadras, and am at the same time informed, that the rival was wrecked, while some secret presentiment, or soever will condescend to take the trouble of writing me; Hindostan, which I ought to have joined yesterday rather sweet little cherub, that sits up aloft,' prevented for how, in the name of the great eternal devil, is it posmorning, was wrecked going down the river, and one of my embarking on board of her. I journeyed leisurely sible for me to divine which of my letters arrive at their |