ARRANGEMENT

OF THE

FOURTH BOOK.

I. As the shades of night retire, when serenely the dawn of day advances, and the sun, rising in full splendour, excites the powers of vegetation by its genial influence-so, the day-spring of prosperity in the political horizon will relume the GRAMPIANS and HEBRIDES, and dispel the gloom which the desolation of those districts has recently spread; and eventually excite the industry and ingenuity of the inhabitants-by which means, individual benefit will be naturally conjoined with public advantage, and the good of the whole steadily maintained. II. A moderate competence, peace and health, when united by the more exalted pleasures of intellect, constitute the greatest possible blessings allotted to mankind-the culture of the human understanding, the supreme, and most desireable object of sublunary enjoyments. III. The GEORGICS, or Rural Economy of the Grampians and Western Islands

Choice of live-stock-Spring-Vernal storm-Care of the shepherd before it commences-Calm-Sunset-Lake and mountain scene by moon-light. IV. Summer-Rural affairs-Economy of the Dairy-Choice of pasture. V. The season for selecting the Firstlings of the Flock-Sheep-curs -Shepherd's dog--Mountain Fox-hunting--Night--Hunter's repose near ancient tomb-stones on an open heathThe Genius of CALEDONIA appears to one of the hunters -The Vision recites the leading incidents of Scottish history-and characterises the principal objects of the improved state of the mountainous regions of the North— Morning-The hunters renew the chace-Evening-They return home, and spend the night in the joys of the cup.

THE

GRAMPIANS

DESOLATE.

BOOK FOURTH.

As mild, serene, and radiant gleams the dawn,

When night's dun shades wake from the dewy lawn,
And heaving up the orient streak'd with red,
The rising day-star from his saffron bed
Disparts th' impurpled curtains fringed with gold,
Anon his peerless splendour to unfold ;—
Lo, in the west, pale amber tints are spread,
In soft refulgence o'er each mountain's head;
And as sublime ascends full bright and slow
The glorious disk, a correspondent glow
Streams down the cliffy wilds in one broad ray
Till hills and vales float on the flood of day;
And genial sunshine, quickening all around
The latent vigour of the teemful ground : ·
So when the day-spring of prosperity
Ascends th' horizon politic on high,

Remotest regions of our Grampians hoar
Shall be relumed-to beam for evermore.
The strong and secret springs of action then
Will urge with energy, bold, thinking men,
Who know th' exhaustless treasures of the north,
And with a powerful arm will heave them forth.
II. A well-earn'd competence, and health and peace,
When intellect's illumined joys increase,

Thus every sublunary good conjoin'd,

How truly blest shall be the human kind!

May mind's high movements poise from pole to pole ! And man the meanest feel he hath a soul! Let reason dictate, genius boldly plan The good supreme of frail and erring man! Then shall true wisdom all his joys increase

Whose ways are pleasantness, whose paths are peace; Serene benevolence, and morals pure,

Warm from the heart, forever shall endure.

Then, let him reap the harvest of his toil,

Whether he plough the deep or plough the soil:

In arts refined, or sciences sublime,

Should he with ardour keen devote the time.

The Poet prostrate at fair Nature's shrine,

The skilful Painter sketch the bold design,
The sweet Musician sweep the golden lyre
To sadness soothing-set the soul on fire,→→