Ixxxiv 
MEMOIR OF 
than in the strength, generosity, and permanence of his 
friendships. Notwithstanding his poetical feelings and 
aspirations, love, as has already been remarked, seemed to 
have no abiding residence in his bosom, if indeed its power 
had ever made any sensible encroachment on that busy 
domain. Though he mingled much in society, and that, 
at one period of his life, by no means very select, he was 
a stranger to every species of dissipation ; and, while he 
passed through many scenes of trial and temptation, he 
bore away all the good that might be obtained from each, 
without incurring the contamination of their evil. Per- 
haps his high moral purity arose, in a great measure, from 
the absence of overmastering passion ; and this was the 
result of that mental structure which constituted intellect 
his predominating faculty. The same may be the expla- 
nation of that apparent contradiction in his character — a 
poet, and not a lover. In elucidation of this conjecture, 
we beg to offer a very few remarks, considering it a mental 
phenomenon well worth investigation. 
The two leading principles of Wilson’s mind unques- 
tionably were, the love of fame, and the love of knowledge, 
both resulting from the conscious possession of high 
intellect. The union of these principles tended to give 
his character an ideal elevation, and to impress it with a 
strong love of power, and desire of eminence. In the 
mind where these predominate, it is obvious that there 
can be little space for the abode of any aim or passion of 
less aspiring, or of weaker nature. Such a mind pleasure 
cannot tempt astray, nor love subdue. Yet the love of 
fame is by no means incompatible with ardent natural 
affection, such as that of children to their parents, because 
its source lies deeper in our nature, and was fully formed 
long before the love of fame could be either felt or 
understood ; and because both may be gratified at once, 
for while a man rises himself, he can elevate those whom 
he loves. We have seen this hope cheer and support 
