XV.
Reading edition
ON WILLIAM SMELLIE.
[Smellie, author of the Philosophy of History; a singular person, of ready wit, and negligent in nothing save his dress.]
Shrewd Willie Smellie to Crochallan came, The old cock’d hat, the gray surtout, the same; His bristling beard just rising in its might, ’Twas four long nights and days to shaving night: His uncomb’d grizzly locks wild staring, thatch’d A head for thought profound and clear, unmatch’d: Yet tho’ his caustic wit was biting, rude, His heart was warm, benevolent, and good.