Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/14

2 estate of Corehouse, in the parish of Lesmahago. William Wilson, in imitation of his father, conjoined the occupation of blacksmith with the cultivation of his farm. Before the introduction of the present system of agriculture, which has nearly extirpated the middle class of peasantry in Scotland, this practice was extremely common among the Scotish farmers, but has fallen into disuse since the abolition of small farms. His youngest son being precluded, by his feeble and delicate constitution, from those occupations which require personal vigour, was intended for a learned profession. The debility of his constitution, which prevented him from joining in the more active amusements of youth, did not repress the vivacity of his mind; and the quickness of apprehension which he early displayed, attracted the patronage of Mr. Somerville, to whom the estate of Corehouse then belonged. At a period rather later than usual he was sent to the grammar school of Lanark, then ably conducted by a Mr. Thomson, who married the sister of the author of the The Seasons. At this seminary his progress in literature was uncommonly rapid; and the marks of genius which he exhibited, were viewed with flattering approbation by the gentlemen and the clergy men of the neighbouring districts. But unfortunately his father soon afterwards died; and the circumstances of his mother did not enable her to sup-