The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-11

F,om v hence comsth our help.
Turn away thine anger,
That we be not spoiled.
o, return and leave blessing behind thee
The Late Thomas Campbell.
AUTHOR OF THE PLEASURES OF HOPPE" &c.
From the Inverness Courier.l
Mr. Campbell was one Of the greatest Of that
cluster OF pOets-n0W wotully reduced by death
and time who appeared AT the commencement Of
the present century, while the loss Of Burns was
yet recent, and Cowper was just disappearing from,
The scene. AT that period the revolutionary war
with France, IN connection with other circumstan-
ces, communicated a strong impulse anu energy 10
the original literature Of England. The German.
drama and works OF Imagination were translated.
and found many admirers in this c0un nv; Sh.ks-
peare and the Older writers were more generally
read and the rude, martial, and chivalroua bal
lads OF Scotland were eagerly collected and imita-
ted AZ that SURFING time The poetry Of Campbell
came forth, like a calm and steady light in lurid
and troubled atmosphere. He had partaken Of tht
prevalent enthusiasm, but il was in sentiment and
feeling, not In style. HIS taste was formed from
polished verslfcaton was modelled alter that oi
Pope and Goldsmith. His eloquent and harmo-
NOUS numbers seemed TO move, like Millions
spirits,
In perfect phalanx, to the Dorian mood
OF flutes and soft recorders"
They presented vivid pictures Of war, love, gentle
and natural paihos, domestic tenderness, and re-
flned imagi In his ap0srophes 10 truth and
freedom, It's indignant denuncatIon Of the parti-
ton OF POLAND, and his war-odrs (Which speedily
followed the publication of"The Pleasures OF
Hope his Mariners OF England, Battle OF the
Baltic, and Hoheniinden- Campbell reached the
highest elevation Of lyrical and impetuous' verse.
Centuries may eapse ere such strains be heard
agaln--lifting up the hearts Of whole nation, and
sancltying AS II were, the sacrifices and triumphs
OF battle. Genus OF high order can never be
without influence on people, whether exercised IN
true or fictitious composuon-In history, phlloso-
phy, or romance. But when its whole strength Is
put orih In times OF irlal and danger, in The form
u short concentrated tnorts, embodying national
feelings and patflullc sentiments, and at the same
lime appealing 10 The purest and most exalted sym
palhles 0 our nature, It's effects are universal and
irresistible. Tn. peers thoughts and words be
come Identified with the history and even the exls
tence Of the nation
We may he pardoned, now that he is no more,
Tor dwelling with some mnuieness the circum.
stances Ut Mr.. CampDclls lie. The numerous as.
soclations connected with his beautiful poetry,
which most OF the present generation have read IN
their youill-the PRIDE we feel III his fame as d
counryman-and the attachment we ielt towards
him man-all see III 10 urge the offering Ot som.
tribute to his memory. A durable and fitting me,
mortal will soon, we trust, be raised by worthy
hands; but at the present momcht we may per.
maps, like the Roman soldier at the grave vi hls
general, be a lowed to collect some fragments ivr
the funeral pile.
homas Campbell was born at Glasgow on the
n OF July, l777 His father a me rchant and
| nlghly accomplished man, was in advanc, wears
(rxactly OF the same age at which the poet died
when his distinguished son was born and he ha,
experienced some reverses Of fortune. Thomas
was the youngest OF ten children, and was named
after DR. Reid, the celebrated meiaphysician, who
was friend OF his father. A. the age OF thirteen
(by which time he had begun to write verses he
was entered Of Glasgow College, and the first year
he gained bursary, over a competitor nearly
twice his own age, for his proficiency in Latin.
He obtained several prizes for Greek exercises;
and indeed, became so distinguished as Gre
clan, that the other students at last declined to
compete with HIM. On presenting him with
a prize, for version Of the 81 louds'' uf Aris.
tophanes, Professor Young publicly stated, that
u was the best translation which had ever been
.xerc ses will be found published in his WORKS
After quitting college, at the age Of nineteen,
Campbell might be said to be "unftied with an
aims in life. He thought of the church and Of the
a twelvemonth in Argyleshire on the banks Of
| Loeb Coil and was also for come time (probHbIy
| during his college vacations) tutor IN family IN
the Island OF null, where the favsriie scenes Of
his poetical musings and wanderiDgs are still
pointed out. The romantic features and solitude
of the West Highlands must have nursed his poetl-
cal reveries, and he has mentioned the delight
with which he used to listen, at the distance OF
many leagues TO the sound OF the whirlpool OF
Corrybrechtan. "When the weather is calm y
he says, f." and the adjacent sea scarcely heard on
these picturesque shores, the sonnd of the vortex,
which is like the sound OF innumerable chariots,
OF Hizhland scenery, and acquaintance with all its
forms neverleft him. They run, like native vein,
through the classic marble OF his verse; and may be
seen even in his description OF the exotic spendor
and luxuriance OF Pennsy lvania. Feudal recolec-
tons and feelings were also blendedwlth his admira-
ton of the West Highlands. His grandfather, Mr..
Campbell of Herman, Highland laird ,allie pro-
bablyto the ancient family OF the chiei; and notwth.
standing the poets staunch Whgism, he cherished
this family pride and clannsh attachment In wri-
ting TO friend in 1870, respecting the launch of a
man ot-war at Chatham, at which he was present,
he mentioned that none OF me compliments paid
circumstance OF the band OF two regiments striking
up s.The Csmpbell's are Coming" as he entered
The dock yard. From Argyleshire The poet removed
to Edinburgh, and there, while engaged in private
ted eThe Pleasures Of Hope" The poem waz
published in April, 1889. His name now became
famoue, and he obtained admission into the brilliant
literary circles of Edinburgh. Of which Dugald
Stewart, Henry Mackenzie. aud Playiair, were The
acknowledged chiefs, and Jeffrey, Brousham, Sgd.
ney Smith, &C., the youthful grace and ornane nj
From the proceeds OF his poem, and other sources,
Mr.. Campbell enabled to crafty his ardent de.
sire to visit the States OF Germany In The veal
1900 he sailed from Lelth 10 Hamburg, and thence
repaired TO the seat OF war in Bavaria, in ORDER
he said, "to see human nature exhibited in its most
dreadful attitude" He witnessed, from the walls
Of a monastery. the battle of Hohenlinden, in
which the French, under the command of Moreau
defeated the Austrians. Some particular scenes
which came before him at this time were rather
overcharged, he said, with that degree oil the ter
rifle which oversteps the sublime; and own" he
adds, "my flesh yet creeps at the recollection Of
spring Wagons and hospitals; but the sight OF ia
| ldstadt In rulur, and Hohenllnden covered with
fire. seven miles IN circumference, were spectacle'
never TO be forgotten" His glorious Lyric Of Ho
henlinden has immoralized his impressions Of the
battle. Mr.. Campbell was at Ratsbon when the
city was taken by the French, but the latter, con
ceivIng that poet was harmless sort OF traveller
/ made no atlempi to dafain him On the CONTRARY