Note 320 — Chapter II · INDICATIONS OF A NEW ATTITUDE TOWARD NATURE IN THE POETRY OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

In 1720 there appeared in the “Edinburgh Miscellany,” a poem entitled, “On a Country Life by a Student in the University.” The poem is interesting as being Thomson’s first poetical treatment of the theme which he was afterward to adopt. The verse is in somewhat stiff and formal heroic couplets, and the poem is marked by classicisms. But there are lines and phrases suggestive of Thomson’s later work and the plan and general tone are, as Sir Harris Nicholas has pointed out, strongly suggestive of “The Seasons.” The young poet’s love of country life is quite clearly genuine.