Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections http://archives.dickinson.edu/ Documents Online Title: Commonplace Book of Elizabeth G. Fergusson Date: 1770-1787 Location: MC 2006.3, B1, F1 Contact: Archives & Special Collections Waidner-Spahr Library Dickinson College P.O. Box 1773 Carlisle, PA 17013 717-245-1399
[email protected] [Inside cover] the 13, 1787 Poems [three words erased and written over]written between the Years 1770 and 1787 [original writing underneath shows 1772 and 1777] at Graeme Park by Laura by Mrs Fergusson a few of them by Betsy Graeme but all Written at Graeme park [Full page pasted over top of inside front cover] [one word illegible] 98 Extract from [M Addison?] [top half of words covered] in praise of Poetry “ I have always been of opinion that Virtue Sinks deepest in the heart of man when it is recommended by the powerful Charms of poetry. The most active principle in our Mind is the imagination: To it a good Part makes his Court immediatly, and by this Fairly Takes Care to Gain it first, Our Passions And Inclinations come over next. And our Reason Surenders it Soly at pleasure in the End Thus the whole Souls is insensibly betrad into morality. There is a certain Elevation of Soul a Sedate imagining and a noble turn of virtue that raises the Hero from the plain honest man, To which Verse can only raise as the Bold Metaphors And Sounding members peculiar To the Parts, Rouse up all our Sleeping faculties And alarm all the power of the Soul like Virgils Exclent Tumpet [Page Break] Contents Ode to Spring; Ode to Summer; Ode to autumn.