XXIV 
MEMOIR OF 
perfectly ready to avail himself of the first favourable 
opportunity of again appearing before the public, in the 
character of a poet. The occasion which led to it was 
this : — 
A certain portion of the Edinburgh literati had formed 
a kind of public debating society, called the Forum, 
the meetings of which were held in the Pantheon. 
Among other questions proposed for discussion was this, 
“ Whether have the exertions of Allan Ramsay or Robert 
Fergusson done more honour to Scottish poetry ? ” Infor- 
mation of this was communicated to Wilson by a friend 
in Edinburgh. Immediately he kindled at the idea of 
making a public appearance in a manner so congenial to 
his love of fame ; and, though unacquainted with the 
poems of Fergusson, and having but a fortnight for pre- 
paration, he borrowed a copy from a friend, read it, formed 
his opinion, laboured with redoubled perseverance for 
money to defray the expense of his journey, composed a 
poem on the subject, and arrived in Edinburgh in time 
to bear his part in the discussion. This poem, “ The 
Laurel Disputed,” is of considerable length, and though 
disfigured with occasional coarseness, is distinguished by 
a certain rough, easy vigour, which marks it the production 
of a man of more mental power than polish, — one who 
thought strongly, and cared not much in what sort of 
language his thoughts were couched, so that they were 
understood. In it he gives the laurel to Fergusson, — a 
decision to which the audience did not assent, but in 
which, nevertheless, we think his judgment was perfectly 
correct, so far at least as regards the superiority in real 
genius. So miserably deficient, in point of true poetic 
merit, are almost all of Ramsay’s miscellaneous poems, 
that we cannot help considering The Gentle Shepherd 
as little more than a “ lucky hit;” nor is there any 
thing to invalidate this opinion, in those pieces of frigidity 
and affectation, which he gave to the world, in his Tea- 
