THE

SEASONS,

BY

JAMES THOMSON,

WITH

THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR:

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

HESIOD, or the RISE OF WOMAN, and the

HERMIT, by PARNELL; together with HENRY
and EMMA, by PRIOR.

PRINTED BY P. BEAUME, BOOKSELLER,
PARLEMENT-STREET, N' 39.

1808.

BODLEIAM

1936

LIBRARY

CGEPT, dear Nymph, a tribute due

To sacred friendship, and to you;
But with it take what breath'd the whole,
Otake to thine, the Poet's soul.
If fancy here her power displays,
Or if a heart exalts these lays,
You fairest, in that fancy shine,
And all that heart is fondly thine.

* These verses were never before published. They were written by Mr. Thomson to Amanda, then Miss Y-G. so often celebrated, with a present of the first copy of his Seasons. They have been communcated to the editor, by Mr. Creech of Edinburgh.

AN

ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF

JAMES THOMSON.

It is T is commonly said, that the life of a good writer is best read in his works; which can scarce fail to receive a peculiar tincture from his temper, manners, and habits; the distinguishing character of his mind, his ruling passion, at least, will there appear undisguised. But however just this observation may be; and although we might safely rest Mr. Thomson's fame, as a good man, as well as a man of genius, on this sole footing; yet the desire which the public always shews of being more particularly acquainted with the history of an eminent author, ought not