Literary Reminiscences and Memoirs of Thomas Campbell
Vol. I. Contents
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CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
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CHAPTER I.
Birth of Campbell.—His boyhood.—Conduct at school.—Verses on a
parrot.—Lampoons his school-fellows.—Tedious sermons, “the good old
way.”—Gains a Leighton Bursary in Glasgow University.—Bears off
prizes.—His great progress in the Greek tongue.—Attachment to the
University.—His admiration of Dr. Millar.—Trials of Gerald, Muir, and
Palmer.—Accepts a tutorship in the Isle of Mull.—Returns to
Glasgow.—“The Pleasures of Hope.”—Blemishes in that poem.—Tribute
to Dr. Anderson.
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CHAPTER II.
Campbell leaves Edinburgh for Germany.—Acquaintances at
Hamburgh.—Klopstock.—Lines to the Jewess of Altona.—Visits
Göttingen.—Introduction to the Schlegels.—Journey to Munich.—The Field of
Hohenlinden.—Begins a new poem called “The Queen of the North.”—Returns
to Scotland.
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—Seizure of his papers.—Voyage to Liverpool.—Dr. Currie and
Mr. Roscoe.—Beaches London with letters of introduction from Dr. Currie.—Anecdote
of the Poet.—Quarto edition of his Poems.—Love Verses.—Letter to the Poet
from Mr. Roscoe.
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CHAPTER III.
Alterations and corrections in different poems.—The poet at
Sydenham.—Mode of study.—Opinion upon the pronunciation of the ancient
languages.—Mr. Thomas Hill and his symposia.—Dinner-parties.—Anecdote of
Campbell and Leyden.—Composition of the poet’s odes.—Lord Brougham’s
censure of the poet.—Its utter want of foundation.—Errors in
criticism.—Charge of jealousy of Dryden unfounded.—Gertrude of Wyoming.—Mr.
Horner’s opinion of that poem.—Its favourable reception by the
critics.—Defects in the poem.—Its excellences pre-eminent
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CHAPTER IV.
Campbell’s introduction to Byron.—Lectures at the Royal
Institution.—Analysis of their nature.—First, poetry in general.—Second,
Hebrew poetry.—Third, Greek poetry.—Fourth, Classical poetry.—Fifth, Lyric
and Epic poetry.—Sixth, Oracular poetry.—Seventh, called by Campbell the Ninth, the
Athenian drama.—Tenth and last, Euripides
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CHAPTER V.
Specimens of the British Poets undertaken.—The Essay on
Poetry.—Censure of Bowles.—Discussions it provoked.—Parties involved in the
contest.—Analysis of the “Invariable Principles.”—Joke
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on the term by the Poet.—He revisits Germany and the
Schlegels.—Engages to become Editor of the New Monthly Magazine.—History of that
publication.—Campbell’s Editorship.—Takes London lodgings.—Commencement
of his Editorial duties.—His first contributions
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CHAPTER VI.
Bias of the Poet’s studies.—Hebrew researches.— Visit to Mr.
Murray of Albemarle Street.—Intended Magazine.—The Poet’s
jest.—Politics of the “New Monthly.”—Epitaph sent by
Canning.—Blunder about Canning’s letter.—Belzoni’s introduction to the
Poet.—Early contributions.—Blanco White.—Henry Matthews.—Ugo
Foscolo’s breakfast
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CHAPTER VII.
Conduct of the new work under Campbell.—Augustus William
Schlegel.—Literary dinner.—Singular dispute, and Schlegel’s
victory.—Anecdote of the East India Company.—The anonymous contributor.—The
poetry of Johns.—Sotheby.—The preface.—The Queen’s case.—Shiel,
Curran, Banim, Grattan, Sullivan, Emerson Tennant.—Song written at Sydenham.—The
Poet’s alterations.—Campbell’s feelings in regard to Sir Walter Scott
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CHAPTER VIII.
Illness of the Poet’s son.—Contributors to the Magazine, Graham and
Hazlitt.—American Literature.—Compliment to Rogers.—Visit to
Cheltenham.—Letters respecting “Theodoric.”—Criticism on Medwin’s
book about Byron
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CHAPTER IX.
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“Theodoric.”—Remarks on that poem.—Singular and unexpected visit
from a Mohawk Chief.—The poet’s feelings respecting hostile
criticism.—Bearing towards Hazlitt.—Letter from Sydenham thanking a friend in a
reply to the “Critic.”—Byron’s remark on Campbell’s
sensitiveness.—Coleridge.—Poem of “The Last Man.”—Mistake of the
poet about the origin of the idea.—Campbell’s attachment to political economy
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CHAPTER X.
The poet’s political economy.—Editorial troubles.—Mention of
Moore.—Senor Manoel de Goristiza.—Pun of the Poet.—Irving, the Scotch
minister.—Habits, when at work.—Error of Sir Walter Scott.—Campbell’s
sudden caprices.—Restlessness of disposition
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