An Laoidheadair Gaelic na ain spioradail

146 DUGHALL CANNANACII.
Dugald Buchanan's compositions is considered equal to
that of Milton and Dryden by the Highlandeis, and
indeed better adapted to their capacity and taste. Milton's
compositions consist chiefly of the mysterious and
marvellous beyond the reach of their comprehensiou, and
perhaps beyond any ordinary capacity—he has allowed his
imagination to roam into the unknown regions of the skies
and to heaven itself, and descends down to survey the habi-
tations of the infemal spirits, which is more caìculated to
bew^ilder the mind than edify and hnmanize the heart ; besides
his measure of rhyming, without harmony or smooihness,
wiU never gratify the ear, it being neither prose nor
verse—whereas Buchanan recites from the best authority
(the revealed will of God) what has happened and what
is to come to pass—every word flows from his Hps progressively,
poetically, convictively, and emphatically
besides, he is pertinent in his narratives, familiar in his
style, and striking in his imagery, with less omament than
substantial truth. His compositions, theological and raoral,
will be held invaluable by future ages, and will always
stand unaltered by the strictest criticism.
It was intended by the editor to review the whole hymns
composed by this excellent good man, so as to show their
merit, but this he leaves to those who may be more able,
possessing superior talents, and content himself by taking
this brief notice of our author's work, which stands (ex-
clusive of Dr. Smith's translation of Dr, VVaH's scripture
paraphrases) without a parallel.
The birth and hfe of our author is very little known, than
what is related by common report, which we are inclined
to credit. That his place of nativity was the parish of
Balquider, near Callender, Perthshire—that his father
gave him ordinary education, such as the parish schoolmaster
was capable to instruct, with which he contented
himself, and took up a school near to where he was born,
from thence he removed northward to Ranach (within the
same county) where he was appointed to a parish (some
say to a society school) wbich he held till his death. It
is there, under the shade of the mountain oak and forests
of fir, he had composed his hymns. The grand scenery
;