BEATTIE. MEMOIR of Beattie, by the Rev. Alexander Dyce The Minstrel; or, the Progress of Genius, Book I. The Minstrel; or, the Progress of Genius, Book II. Retirement Epitaph: being part of an Inscription designed for a On the Report of a Monument to be erected in West- minster Abbey, to the Memory of a late Author Epitaph for a Sheriff's Messenger: written and pub- THE LIFE OF AKEN SIDE.1 BY THE REV. ALEXANDER DYCE. 2 MARK AKENSIDE was born at Newcastle-uponTyne, November 9th, 1721, and was baptized on the 30th of the same month by the minister of a meeting-house, which his parents used to frequent.* His father, Mark, was a respectable butcher. His mother's maiden name was Mary Lumsden. was their second son. It is said that in after-life he was ashamed of the lowness of his birth, which He 1 During the earlier years of his life, the poet spelt his name, both on the title-pages of his publications and in his letters, Akinside; but at a later period he adopted the form Akenside. 2 "Mark Akenside, born the 9th November, 1721; baptized y 30th of the same month by the Rev. Mr. Benjamin Bennet."- History of Newcastle, ii. 513, by Brand, who adds: "The above was communicated by Mr. Addison, glazier at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who married Dr. Akenside's sister, and is in possession of some drawings, which were the works of that ingenious poet in an early period of his life. Mr. Bennet was a dissenting minister at the new meeting-house in Hanover Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne." 8 According to the Biogr. Brit., Akenside's "parents and relations were in general of the Presbyterian persuasion." B |