Poems: Religious, Moral and Sentimental

First published in 1825, Poems: Religious, Moral and Sentimental presents a unique collection of sixty-seven poems by the poet James Hogg, known for his connection to the pastoral traditions of 19th-century Ireland. This volume is divided into two main sections: religious poems and those of a more moral and sentimental nature. Though now regarded as a work of historical curiosity, it was highly regarded in its time and may have been the first volume of poetry published in New Brunswick.

Hogg’s writing spans a rich variety of poetic styles, including ballads, narrative verse, lyrics, elegies, odes, and pastoral poetry. While the majority of the poems are lyrical in nature, they often reflect his experiences and the pastoral life he led in Ireland. His work evokes the natural world with vivid imagery, capturing the beauty and simplicity of rural life.

Notable among the collection is “The Hermit of Woodford,” a narrative poem steeped in medieval romance, reminiscent of the storytelling style of Sir Walter Scott. Hogg also explores themes of love, dreams, and the complexity of the human heart through his lyrical works, often imitative in nature but nonetheless captivating in sentiment.

Though much of Hogg’s work today may be of more historical interest, his poems were considered far above the ordinary in their time, offering a window into the poetic world of early 19th-century Ireland. For readers seeking to explore the poetry of this lesser-known Hogg—sometimes confused with his distant relative, the famous “Ettrick Shepherd”—this volume offers a glimpse into a forgotten literary tradition.