xvi 
MEMOIR OF 
already tried Ills skill in the composition of verses ; and 
that, however closely his mechanical occupation employed 
him, he had a strong inclination to more imaginative 
feelings and pursuits, not at all likely to reconcile him to 
his humble avocation. Yet he continued working as a 
journeyman- weaver for about four years ; during which 
time he resided partly in Paisley, partly with his father, 
who had gone to the village of Lochwinnoch, and finally 
with his brother-in-law, Duncan, then removed to Queens- 
ferry. During these four years, however, being compara- 
tively left to his own direction, his poetical talents were 
more freely indulged ; his dislike to the loom increased, 
and his mind became more fully possessed with that spirit 
of restlessness, which, not finding sufficient scope in 
Britain, in the end impelled him to explore the boundless 
forests of the New World. 
Nearly two years of that period were spent at Loch- 
winnoch, and many of his earlier poems were then com- 
posed, particularly those of a descriptive character. But 
the rambles which gave rise to these efforts of his muse, 
while they increased his relish for the beauties of natural 
scenery, rendered his sedentary employment more and 
more irksome, and prepared him to abandon it, upon the 
first prospect of more congenial pursuits. In a poem, 
written about this time, entitled, “ Groans from the 
Loom,” after painting, in a strain of ludicrous complaint, 
half in jest, half in earnest, the miseries of his condition, 
the following exclamation occurs, wrung from him pro- 
bably by an instinctive aversion to confinement, and 
almost prophetic of his future wanderings : - — 
Good gods ! shall a mortal with legs , 
So low uncomplaining be brought ! 
These sentiments, together with the expanded views, culti- 
vated taste, and refined ideas, resulting from the perusal 
of what books he could procure, all tended to the same 
conclusion, — a growing disgust with the trade of a weaver, 
