there taken ill, ami in a short time died. The news of her death was immediately conveyed to Thomson, who ordered a decent funeral; and she was buried, as the old housekeeper said, in the churchyard of old Marylebone church. Mr Chalmers, who was indefatigable in his inquiries, was not satisfied with the old woman's information, but immediately went and examined the church register; where he found the following entry—'Died, Mary Thomson, a stranger'—in confirmation of the housekeeper's testimony."
There is little, perhaps, in this story to invalidate the commonly received notions as to the worth of Thomson's character; though, allowing it to be true, it certainly is not calculated to elevate him in the estimation of the world. The present writer has, of course, no wish to degrade any of the eminent names of the past; but he thinks it worth while, by way of correcting a piece of literary history, to mention that the late earl of Buchan possessed a poem in Thorn- son's hand-writing, and bearing all the erasures, interpolations, and other peculiarities, that could mark the composition as his own, which displayed a marked degree of licentiousness. He has, therefore, been satisfied that Thomson, though he had the good sense to publish nothing of an impure character, was not incapable of delighting in gross ideas, and composing lines
"——— which, dying, he could wish to blot."
THOMSON, (Dr) William, an ingenious, versatile, and multifarious writer, was born in 1746, in the parish of Forteviot, in Perthshire. His father, though in humble, was in decent circumstances, earning a livelihood by uniting the businesses of carpenter, builder, and farmer. Young Thomson was instructed in the first rudiments of education by his mother, and was then sent to the parochial school. He afterwards attended the grammar-school of Perth, and on leaving it proceeded to St Andrews, where his abilities attracted the notice and procured him the patronage of the Earl of Kinnoul, then chancellor of the university. This munificent nobleman, after satisfying himself, by personal examination, that young Thomson's high reputation as a classical scholar was not exaggerated, admitted him into his family in the capacity of librarian, and shortly after directed his views to the church, with the intention of presenting him to one of the livings in his gift.
Mr Thomson prosecuted his theological studies, first at St Andrews, and then at Edinburgh, and, having obtained a license to preach, was appointed assistant to the minister of Monivaird. Unfortunately neither his tastes nor habits accorded with the clerical calling. His temper was irascible, and he delighted more in field sports and jovial companionship than in the discharge of his professional duties. The complaints of the parishioners induced him to resign his office, and he resolved to try his fortune in London as a man of letters. In this he was at first far from successful. At length, through the influence of his distinguished friends, Drs Robertson and Blair, he was chosen to continue the History of Philip III. of Spain, a work begun by Dr Robert Watson, principal of the United Colleges of St Andrews, but which that gentleman left unfinished at his death, which happened in 1780. This work Dr Thomson completed in a manner highly creditable to his talents, and so much to the satisfaction of the public, that he soon found himself surrounded with friends, and his hands filled with employment. The former procured him about this period, wholly unsolicited on his part, the degree of LL.D. from the university of Glasgow. Dr Thomson now became a regular London author, being ready to write on any subject, and for any one who should employ his versatile talents. Business increased apace upon him, and from this period till near the close of his life, extending to upwards of five and thirty years, he continued in close connection with the press, and with the exception
