THE SEASONS, BY JAMES THOMSON. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, BY PATRICK MURDOCH, D.D. F.R.S. AND AN ESSAY ON THE PLAN AND MANNER OF THE POEM: BY J. AIKIN, M.D. LONDON: PRINTED BY A. STRAHAN; For G. G. & J. Robinson, R. Baldwin, F. & C. Rivington, W. J. & J. Richardfon, T. Payne, W. Lowndes, G. Wilkie, Ogilvy & Son, J. Scatchard, Vernor & Hood, J. Nunn, T. N. Longman, Cadell jun. & Davies, Carpenter & Co.; and T. Hurst. 1799. ΑΝ ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF Mr. JAMES THOMSON. IT is commonly faid, that the life of a good writer is beft read in his works; which can scarce fail to receive a peculiar tincture from his temper, manners, and habits; the diftinguishing character of his mind, his ruling paffion, at leaft, will there appear undifguised. But however juft this obfervation may be, and although we might fafely reft Mr. Thomson's fame, as a good man, as well as a man of genius, on this fole footing; yet the defire which the Public always fhew of being more particularly acquainted |