Biography of the blind, including the lives of all those, from Homer down to the present day, who have distinguished themselves as poets, philosophers, artists, &c. &c ... To which is prefixed a memoir of the author / [James Wilson].

  • Wilson, James, the blind poet, 1779-
Date:
1821
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Biography of the blind, including the lives of all those, from Homer down to the present day, who have distinguished themselves as poets, philosophers, artists, &c. &c ... To which is prefixed a memoir of the author / [James Wilson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    JSO with Homer, from the Poem I refer to.(l) It is a des- cription of the last mournful interview between Wal- lace and his Wife, which bears a striking resemblance to the parting pf Hector and Andromache, in the Iliad of Homer. Hence, Harry even supposing his genius to have been equal to that of Homer, must have lain under great disadvantages, and these are very evident in his works. The descriptive parts are evidently de- ficient, However, I think the following description of a winter-day has some claim to Poetic merit. ‘ Cold Winter now his hoary aspect shews. Frost-bound the globe, whilst Boreas fiercely blows; Sweeping the snow along the rising hills, Which every glen and slanting hollow fills: Cold grew the beams of the far distant son, And day wras finish’d ere ’twas well begun— Long, dark, and hateful, was the gloomy night. Uncomfortable to each banished wight. Who durst not trust a roof to hide his head. But sculks from hill to hill with cautious dread.’ This passage is followed by another of equal merit. . Valiant Wallace stood, •In shining arms, few were his men, but good; Not one to seven—now past their power to fiy, Resolved to cut their way, or bravely die: The hardy chief unsheathed his eonq’ring sword, besought the aid of Heaven, then gave the word: Fiercely he met his bold attacking foes, And quick as lightning dealt liis fatal blows;