Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 4.djvu/271

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"This poem, however, does not seem ever to have been corrected, and the extracts we have given are from the first rude draft of it. It would be unfair, therefore, to consider it as a test of Mr Hamilton's powers, though had he lived to complete it, we do not doubt, from the germs of excellence it evinces, but that it would have been a fitter criterion than any other of his works."

Mr Hamilton's poems, notwithstanding the melody of his numbers and the gayety of his fancy, bear all the marks of studious productions ; and the ease which they undoubtedly possess, is the ease resulting from elaboration and art To this, in a great measure, his circumstantiality of painting is to be attributed.

The measure which Mr Hamilton was most partial to, is the octo-syllabic; and certainly this being the smoothest and most euphonious, it best suited the refinement of his mind. He sometimes, however, attempted the deed-syllabic measure; but here, as in his soaring to a greater height in his subjects, he did not succeed so well. His blank verse, like his conception, is without grandeur without ease without dignity: it is surcharged, rugged, and verbose. Of this he was himself aware, for he seldom attempted to clothe his sentiments in the style which was perfected by Milton and Shakspeare.

Mr Hamilton's amatory poetry abounds with "quaint conceits," and pleasing fancies: for example, in dedicating "Contemplation" to a young lady, speaking of the effects of unsuccessful love, he says,