248 OTJK HYMNS :
been intentional, and with a view to conceal his plagiarisms. Recent investigations have shown that the hymns Logan claimed as his own were the work of Michael Bruce ; hut as Logan s name has heen introduced, though erroneously, and as it appears in the controversy about the works of Michael Bruce, a brief sketch will be given :
John Logan, who was the son of a farmer, was born at Fala, in the county of Mid- Lothian, Scotland. He pursued his studies in Edinburgh University, and became tutor to Sir John Sinclair. His parents had brought him up in connection with the United Presbyterian Church, but he preferred the Established Church of Scotland, and became one of its ministers, at Leith, in 1770. There he was popular as a preacher, and his sermons were pub lished after his death. His other prose works were in 1781 : "Elements of the Philosophy of History," consisting of some of the lectures he had delivered in Edinburgh, and a " Dissertation on the Government, Manners, and Spirit of Asia."
In 1770, he published a small volume of Poems, by Michael Bruce, but according to the preface only a part are by him, and Logan left it to be inferred that some of the others were by him self. In 1781, he published a volume, entitled " Poems by the Rev. Mr. Logan, one of the ministers of Leith." This book had no preface, but those who knew Bruce s productions saw at once that in it there were several pieces which Logan had appropriated from a manuscript he possessed of Bruce s, and without acknow ledgment. This unprincipled conduct towards a departed friend has been justly reprobated by all writers on the subject. In 1783, Logan printed and caused to be acted in Edinburgh a tragedy, called " Runnimede." This gave offence there, as it had been refused a license by the Lord Chamberlain, in London. Logan resorted to intoxication as a solace in his disappointment ; and at length found it necessary to leave his parish. In 1785, he resigned his ministry, and went to London, where he supple mented his scanty resources by the rewards of his literary labours. The following pieces are attributed to him : " The Braes of
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