To O trace the progress of the man of genius, bursting through the clouds which humble birth, and a low situation of life tend to throw over his first steps, till by his own native powers he counteracts the disadvantages of his original obscurity, and shines forth acknowledged by an admiring worldthis is an interesting and a pleasing task-but if misfortune sheds a gloom on his career, while it heightens the interest, it mingles our pleasure with sensations of pity, which arrest our attention more closely to the incidents of his life, however trifling; and such are the feelings which the life of Logan are calculated to awaken. John Logan was born at Soutra, in the parish of Fala, county of Mid-Lothian, in the year 1748. His father, George Logan, was then a farmer at that place; but afterwards removed to Gossford, the seat of the present Earl of Wemyss, in the county of EastLothian. His mother, Janet Waterston, was daugh ter of John Waterston, who resided in the parish of Stowe. Both parents belonged to that class of the Scottish dissenters who call themselves Burgher-Seceders; and were equally distinguished by the unblemished rectitude of their conduct, the sincerity of their piety, and the benevolence of their hearts. xiv LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. They had two sons, of whom John was the younger. The care of the farm, in consequence of the father being killed by accident as he was returning from Edinburgh, devolved upon the elder brother, which, however, he soon quitted, and betook himself to the study of medicine. He afterwards went to America, as a surgeon, where he died about the year 1785. John gave early proofs of that superiority of genius by which he was afterwards so remarkably distinguished; and his parents, with an alacrity that deserves imitation, fostered his love of learning, and resolved to educate him for the clerical profession.. Having received all the information and erudition which the parochial school could afford, he went to the university of Edinburgh. Where a friendship between Logan and Dr Robertson, (late of Dalmeny) commenced, which continued through life with undiminished affection, and uncontaminated with that jealousy which is too common among men of genius. Michael Bruce, whose literary career was soon closed, was then a student at the same university; and the similarity of their genius and pursuits soon produced an intimacy, which continued till the poet of Lochleven dropt prematurely into the tomb. After the death of Bruce, Logan engaged with alacrity in preparing the poems he had left for the press. And in 1770, he published "Poems on several occasions, by "Michael Bruce," to which he added an account of the Life and Character of the Author, and " some "Poems written by different authors." The friends of Logan and of Bruce are divided in their opinions. concerning the share which the latter had in this miscellany. After Logan had completed that course of theolo gical learning which the laws of the Scottish church require of those who become candidates for her licence, he was employed by Mr Sinclair of Ulbster, in assisting the studies of his son, now Sir John Sinclair, Baronet; a situation in which he was treated with peculiar kindness, but in which he did not long remain. After undergoing the usual examination, and performing the exercises prescribed by the laws of the church, he obtained licence from the presbytery of Edinburgh to preach the gospel. The fame of his eloquence soon spread, and he received an unanimous call from the kirk-session and incorporations of South Leith, to become one of the ministers of that church and parish; and he was accordingly ordained in the year 1773. The duties of his ministerial office he discharged with steadiness and fidelity. But while he attended his sacred and important duties as a clergyman, he did not abandon the muses; he spent his leisure in the cultivation of polite literature, particularly poetry. During the session of College 1779-80, he read a course of lectures on the Philosophy of History, in St Mary's Chapel, Edinburgh; an undertaking in which he was patronized by Principal Robertson, Dr Blair, and others eminent for their taste in literature, and their encouragement of genius. He read the same course of lectures during the session 1780-81, with such universal approbation as to be encouraged to offer himself as a candidate for the professorship of civil history in the university of Edinburgh. In this, however, it is much to be regretted, he was disappointed; as that chair, by a peculiarity for which it is difficult to account, had been always filled by one of the faculty of advocates. In 1781, he xvi LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. published the substance of that part of his prelections which related to ancient history, in one octavo yolume, entitled, "Elements of the Philosophy of His tory." It would appear this performance received some encouragement; for, in the following year, he published one of his lectures on the manners and government of Asia. In the same year he gave to the public a volume of poems, which were so favourably received, that a second edition was soon called for. Not only did he distinguish himself in the beaten tract of lyric and elegiac poetry, he also cultivated the favour of the tragic muse; and in 1783, produced the tragedy of Runnamede; which, however, was never acted (except once in Edinburgh) on account of certain references, which it was supposed to have to the politics of those times. But although it was never applauded in the theatre, yet it pleases in the closet, though unaccompanied with the magic charm of voice and gesture. Such disappointments could not fail to make a deep impression on his mind; and they accordingly increased that melancholy to which he was naturally subject: An effect which every friend to genius must lament, as it produced certain irregularities in conduct, rather incongruous with the sacredness of the ministerial character. His parishioners became irritated, and who, it seems, could not distinguish between transient deviations from the path of rectitude, and determined wickedness, were highly enraged; and persecuted, with relentless fury, the man who had laboured with assiduity for their good, and whose learning and talents had been devoted for their improvement. Logan, who foresaw the storm that was gathering around him, perceived that it would be inexpedient for him to re |