"_Ramsay_ was a man of strong natural, though few acquired parts, possessed of much humour, and native poetic fancy. Born in a pastoral country, he had strongly imbibed the manners and humours of that life. As I knew him well, an honest man, and of great pleasantry, it is with peculiar satisfaction I seize this opportunity of doing justice to his memory, in giving testimony to his being the author of the _Gentle Shepherd_, which, for the natural ease of the dialogue, the propriety of the characters, perfectly similar to the pastoral life in Scotland, the picturesque scenery, and, above all, the simplicity and beauty of the fable, may justly rank amongst the most eminent pastoral dramas that our own or any other nation can boast of. Merit will ever be followed by detraction. The envious tale, that the _Gentle Shepherd_ was the joint composition of some wits with whom _Ramsay_ conversed, is without truth. It might be sufficient to say, that none of these gentlemen have left the smallest fragment behind them that can give countenance to such a claim. While I passed my infancy at _Newhall_, near _Pentland hills_, where the scenes of this pastoral poem are laid, the seat of Mr. _Forbes_, and the resort of many of the _literati_ at that time, I well remember to have heard _Ramsay_ recite, as his own production, different scenes of the _Gentle Shepherd_, particularly the first two, before it was printed. I believe my honourable friend Sir _James Clerk of Pennycuik_, where _Ramsay_ frequently resided, and who I know is possessed of several original poems composed by him, can give the same testimony." "_P.S._ The above note was shewn to Sir _James Clerk_, and had his approbation."[47] [Footnote 47: Poetical Remains of James 1st of Scotland; p. 189.] HUGH BLAIR, D.D. 1783. "I must not omit the mention of another _pastoral drama_, which will bear being brought into comparison with any composition of this kind, in any language; that is, Allan Ramsay's Gentle Shepherd. It is a great disadvantage to this beautiful poem, that it is written in the old rustic dialect of Scotland, which, in a short time, will probably be entirely obsolete, and not intelligible; and it is a farther disadvantage that it is so entirely formed on the rural manners of Scotland, that none but a native of that country can thoroughly understand or relish it. But, though subject to these local disadvantages, which confine its reputation within narrow limits, it is full of so much natural description, and tender sentiment, as would do honour to any poet. The characters are well drawn, the incidents affecting; the scenery and manners lively and just. It affords a strong proof, both of the power which nature and simplicity possess, to reach the heart in every sort of writing; and of the variety of pleasing characters and subjects with which _pastoral poetry_, when properly managed, is capable of being enlivened."[48] [Footnote 48: Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric, vol. iii. p. 126.]