Stephenson: The Ettrick Shepherd 



55 



uisites. There is a sensible want of incident, and character, and pathos, 

 about all hi? ccmpoiiticns. . . . 



3Ir. Hcg-,n,'s joite consists in the striking- representation of super- 

 natural occiuKEiices, or of the more imposing aspects of external na- 

 ture:- and v.'G certainly c:)nside:' his narratives of less marvellous events, 

 a: Df inferior m:rit. His descriptions, however, are always brilliant 

 and copious; though fiequently drawn out to such a length, as to be- 

 come in some degree tedious and lang'uid/ 



Commendation poured in fast from all sides. His brother 

 poets welcomed him. Southey was enthusiastic. Scott be- 

 friended him more than ever. Mr. Blackwood was such a 

 successful executor of Goldie's affairs that Hogg eventually 

 made a neat sum out of the sale of the book. So, in every 

 way, Hog'g had good reason to look upon his Edinburgh so- 

 journ Avith the pride of success achieved under the greatest of 

 difficulties. 



1 Edinburgh Rcvicic, November, 1814, page 151, etc. 



