66 nonconformity. It has been the distinguishing and almost unique honour of Dr. Watts, that, with powers approved as equal to the discussion of any subject within the grasp of the intellect of man, he descended to homely and familiar poems for the instruction and edification of the young. His principal productions are his "Logic," and a supplementary treatise on The Improvement of the Mind," "Philosophical Essays," "Psalms, Hymns, and Divine Songs." With the three last, or specimens of them, every one is familiar. From his "Hora Lyricæ, in three books," is extracted an ode on "The Day of Judgment," which may be comparatively novel. The “Horæ Lyrica” is divided into poems (Book I.), Sacred to Devotion and Piety; (II.) Sacred to Virtue, Honour, and Friendship; and (III.) Sacred to the Memory of the Dead. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. AN ODE, ATTEMPTED IN THE ENGLISH SAPPHIC. And the red lightning, with a storm of hail, comes How the poor sailors stand amazed and tremble, Quick to devour them. Such shall the noise be, and the wild disorder, Tears the strong pillars of the vault of heaven; Hark, the shrill outcries of the guilty wretches! Stare through their eyelids, while the living worm lies Thoughts, like old vultures, prey upon their heartstrings, And the smart twinges, when the eyes behold the Stop here, my fancy; (all away, ye horrid How He sits, Godlike! and the saints around Him may I sit there, when He comes triumphant, Dooming the nations! then ascend to glory! While our hosannahs all along the passage, Shout the Redeemer. CRUCIFIXION TO THE WORLD BY THE CROSS When I survey the wondrous cross Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, See from his head, his hands, his feet, His dying crimson, like a robe, Were the whole realm of nature mine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. GOD'S PRESENCE IS LIGHT IN DARKNESS. My God, the spring of all my joys, The glory of my brightest days, In darkest shades if He appear, He is my soul's sweet morning-star, The opening heavens around me shine While Jesus shows his heart is mine, My soul would leave this heavy clay Fearless of hell and ghastly death, A DOXOLOGY. A SONG OF PRAISE TO THE EVER-BLESSED TRINITY, GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT. . Blest be the Father, and his love, To whose celestial source we owe Glory to Thee, great Son of God, We give Thee, sacred Spirit, praise, Thus God the Father, God the Son, JAMES THOMSON was born September 7th, 1700, at Ednam, in Roxburghshire, of which parish his father was minister. After receiving his preparatory education at the school of Jedburgh, he studied at the University of Edinburgh, with the intention of fitting himself for the clerical profession. Abandoning this design, he repaired, in 1725, to London, which seemed to offer the only stage on which he could appear with advantage in his elected character of poet. Here he published successively those poems, "Winter," "Summer," Spring," and "Autumn," called collectively the "Seasons," and completed in 1730, which have established his reputation as the great prophet of Nature, and won for him that inore pregnant and expressive title of her "Druid." In 99 66 1727, Thomson produced the tragedy of "Sophonisba," which fell flat upon the ears of an audience prepared to receive it enthusiastically. During a course of travel which he undertook with the eldest son of Chancellor Talbot, he collected materials for a poem in five books, which he published, after his return, under the title of "Liberty." In 1738, he produced his tragedy of “Agamemnon," and in 1745, "Tancred and Sigismunda," the best and most successful of all his tragedies. His "Castle of Indolence," published the same year, is a poem displaying much luxuriance of imagery and melody of rhythm, but abounding in archaic forms and phraseology. Thomson died in 1748, and was buried at Richmond. It was said of him by his friend and patron, Lord Lyttelton, that he had written "No line which, dying, he could wish to blot ;" Than this, purer and more enviable praise is inconceivable. The hymn quoted below is the grand concluding doxology of the seasons in their revolution. HYMN ON THE SEASONS. These, as they change, Almighty Father, these Then comes thy glory in the Summer months, |