In the biography of literary men, it is a common observation, that a paucity of incidents may be naturally expected in the life of a recluse scholar, whose history is generally comprehended in the account of his productions. Though my materials are scanty, I am not inclined to use this apology for writing a plain narrative instead of a romance; and am content to have saved from oblivion a few notices concerning the only loco-descriptive poet whom Scotland has produced.

John Wilson, author of "Clyde," was born in the vicinity of Lanark June 30. 1720. He was the youngest son of William Wilson, a farmer on the