1791 • LITERARY INTELLIGENCER. 22? 



we may fuppofe, of thofe who Ihould have been engag- 

 ed in tliis work. They were too much overcome with 

 grief themfelves, to adminifter comfort to the weeping 

 maidens. Tlie grief of both too was embittered on this 

 occafion, by the recolleftion af the former merry Icenes, 

 at that feafon. 



In the latter part of this ftanza, the poet mentions 

 another iailance, in which the change was remarkable. 

 There were now no love ploys, as formerly at the fairs 

 and preachings. Love had for a feafon taken wing; 

 and given place to forrow and defpair. — Here, I confefs, 

 I could have wifhed a change; that preachings had 

 either not been attended to, or attended to in a different. 

 manner *. We commend the young men for ihewing 

 all attention to the maidens at the fairs ; and improving 

 fuch fcafons of leifure for cherifliing a virtuous affec- 

 tion. But when attending the public ordinances of re- 

 ligion in the church or in the iields, they ought to have 

 lomething higher in view, than what relates merely to 

 themfelves. Poetry fliould ever be employed in the 

 fervice of religion and virtue ; and keep at a diftance 

 from the appearance of iicentioufnefs. 

 V. 



O dule for the order, 



Sent our, &c. 



After having thus beautifully defcribed the effefts 

 of grief upon the virgins, the poet in this ftanza natu- 

 rally gives vent to his own : vainly exclaiming againft 

 the unhappy mandate, which had proved the oaufe of 

 fuch misfortunes. He difcovers here ?. partiality to 

 his countrymen, which is at lead pardonable. He al- 



• The remarks above, may fijcw that the author is not (o partial as 

 tn find no fault with the poem. It is ihe more neceffary, becaufe the 

 abulc, there cUuded to, is at this day common in fome parts of Scot- 

 land. Tent preachings are often confidered as a ploy of the fame kind 

 with the fairs. When they rcfort to them wi'.h fiicli views, we may 

 eafiiy fnppofc little attention will be given to the worfliip of God, or to 

 the Lnflrut5tiuiis delivered by the preachers, 



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