LOVE AND POETRY. 37 



in which there is not some fond allusion to the lady of his love, and 

 the blissful hours spent by her side. The verses are often common- 

 place enough ; but the sentiments are never other than refined. 

 The adoration is unmistakably genuine, and, though fervent, re- 

 spectful ; tinged with a sense of gratitude that touches the sympa- 

 thies even now. Occasionally the strain rises above mere versifica- 

 tion into something of real poetry. I refer to this collection not 

 because of its literary merits, but solely on account of its relation 

 to his " Margaret," of whom, and the story of their love, more au- 

 thentic accounts will be given from his correspondence. 



From these gentle occupations, however, Wilson was called 

 away to new scenes and pursuits, fitted to bring forth the whole 

 energies of his many-sided character, but not of power enough to 

 deaden in his heart the recollection of that beloved glen, of Both- 

 well Banks and Cruikstone's hoary walls, of Dychmont Hill and 

 " her the Orphan Maid, so human yet so visionary," that made their 

 very names dear to him forever. 



" Many-towered Oxford" now summoned the young scholar away 

 from the pleasant companionship of his Glasgow friends ; and, in 

 the month of June, 1803, he entered as a gentleman-commoner of 

 Magdalen College. Fidl of life and enthusiasm, tall, strong, and 

 graceful, quick-witted, well-read, and eloquent, of open heart and 

 open hand, apt for all things honorable and manly, a more splendid 

 youth of nineteen had seldom entered the " bell-chiming and clois- 

 tered haunts of Rhedicyna." The effect produced on his mind by 

 the ancient grandeurs of Oxford, naturally stimulated his poetical 

 temperament and heightened the interest of every study. For 

 there hovered constantly around him suggestions of the high and 

 solemn ; he felt that he was in an abode fit for great men and sages, 

 and his soul was elevated by the contemplation of his scholastic 

 home. Beautifully does he recall in after days the memory of that 

 inspiring time, when, in the fulness of hope and vigor, the fields of 

 the future opened out before him, stretching upwards to the 

 heights of fame, a-glitter in the dew of life's morning : — 



" For having bidden farewell to our sweet native Scotland, and 



a good judge of Poetry. Lines written at Bothwell Castle. Lines written at Cruikstone Castle. 

 Lines written in Kenmorc Hermitage. Lines written at Evening. Prince Charles's Address to 

 his Army before the Battle of Culloden. Who to the pomp of burnishM gold, etc Petition of 

 the Mearns Muir. Lines written in a glen by moonlight. Answer to the a±>uve Lines. The 

 Feelings of Love. The Farewell. 



