ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST PART.
THE poem opens with a description of the pleasures of Solitude, and the final cause of them is resolved into the laws of association and sympathy. Hence is derived the love of classic ruins, and of the retreats of departed,genius; hence also the love of sublime, picturesque, and beautiful, scenery; and these associated influences are exemplified in various historic allusions and descriptive pictures—The inefficacy of social scenes to afford consolation to the heart in the unfortunate incidents of life, in disease, despair, disappointment, and sorrow; and the corresponding benign influence of Solitude in awakening kind and benevolent emotions, and alleviating the miseries of life. The influence of Solitude on the various passions is next introduced; and hope, despair, and love, are represented, as deriving peculiar consolation and delight in retired life. The vanity of grandeur is next descanted on, and illustrated by historic details-The influence of Solitude in age, sorrow, and death, is attempted to be shewn in the tale of ST. AUBIN—Some reflections follow on the pleasures derived from the recollection of youthful scenes, particularly in the tranquillity of retired life—The cultivation of the more refined powers of the soul, tho often attended with pain, enlarges the circle of happiness, and elevates the character and sentiments to their highest perfection and dignity The argument thence derived of the immortality of the soul—The poem then concludes with an address to friendship.
