James Hoggs' Early Writings

James Hogg began to model himself on Robert Burns. His first published poem appeared anonymously in the Scots Magazine in 1794; his song Donald MacDonald, published as a broadsheet, gained instant popular success. In 1801 he published his first collection, at his own expense; Scottish Pastorals, Poems, Songs etc. It received scant attention. But the publication of Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders spurred Hogg to bring out his own collection of ballads. The Mountain Bard , which established him as a poet to be watched. It was followed by his first prose work; The Shepherd's Guide ; Being a practical Treatise on the Diseases of Sheep. In the first decade of the nineteenth century, James Hogg still saw himself primarily as a farmer, moving to Dumfriesshire which was to be the background for many of his subsequent stories. But he continued to write and in 1810 came another collection of songs, The Forest Minstrel.

How foolish are mankind to look for perfection In any poor changeling under the sun! By nature or habit, or want of reflection, To vices and folly we heedlessly run. The man who is modest and kind in his nature, And open and cheerful in every degree, Who feels for the woes of his fellow creature, Though subject to failings is dear unto me.

-The Forest Minstrel

See also: James Hoggs' Travels