The Poetical Works of Thomas Pringle, with a Sketch of His Life, by L. Ritchie (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1839. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... MEMOIRS OF THOMAS PRINGLE. CHAPTER I. Introduction--His Ancestry, Birth, and Education--LamenessEarly Piety--Amusements--College Life and AttainmentsAnecdote of his juvenile Chivalry--Entrance into the Register Office -- Defence from the Charge of being an Author by Profession -- His first Publication -- Religious Studies -- Hypochondria--Critical Attainments--Development of his MindContributions to Albyn's Anthology and the Poetic Mirror-- Projected Magazine -- Retirement from the Register Office -- Editorship of Blackwood's Magazine, the Star Newspaper, and Constable's Magazine--Marriage--Failure of his Literary Projects and return to the Register Office--Declension of his Pecuniary Resources--Resolution to try a New Country--Departure for Southern Africa at the head of a family band of Emigrants. It is usual to commence the life of an author with an apology for the want of events to interest or amuse. The history of such an individual, say the biographers, is the history of his mind, and its productions; for, in his personal career, it is rare to find a literary man travelling out of the beaten road of life. It is possible that I too might have this excuse for dulness, were Pringle's claims to distinction founded only on his literary genius; but, in reality, he did not covet so much the admiration as the gratitude of his fellows. He was never, at any period of his life, a mere author. Literature, with him, was inseparably connected with the practical amelioration of the human race--it was the armour he assumed in the great struggle of civilization. This was the case throughout his whole career, although more apparent to the public in the latter years of his life; when, owing to his double position as a literary man, and the S...