Page:Babell, a satirical poem (1830).djvu/19

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PREFATORY NOTICE.
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and others, that an animal cannot be mechanically produced, but must owe its original to a Supreme Being; whose existence he has demonstrated to the satisfaction and conviction of all mankind.

"For his Poetry, which was always in latin,[1] he not only equalled, but excelled the best poets of his age. We find in all his poems, a justness of thought, a vivacity of spirit, excellent turns of wit, a preciseness of style, and a happy imitation of the best antient authors; so that he may be compared to our great Buchanan himself. If we consider in what haste and hurry, the most of his performances were done, by reason of the crowd of business he was engaged in, it is still more surprising; but this is only known to some few in this place, and not to be observed by those who read his works, which are absolutely complete and perfect in their kind.

"There is a design of collecting his poems, and printing them altogether.[2] Some of his verses, made of late years, are to be omitted as not having the ordinary life and spirit in them, and not being of a piece with the former. I suppose it will be thought fit to prefix his life to them, and I shall contribute all I can, to preserve the memory of so great a man, who was the glory and ornament of his country and profession.

"Though he got much money by his extraordinary skill

  1. ↑ Although Dr. Pitcairn's chief poems are in Latin, he also composed many in the English language.
  2. ↑ This is still a desideratum in Scottish literature, worthy the notice of the Associates of the Maitland Club.
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