Nevertheless, though these Poems contain some detestable passages, the effect, as Dr Johnson well observes, 'of reality and truth became conspicuous even when the intention was to show them grovelling and degraded.' The Pastorals, ludicrous to such as prided themselves upon their refinement, in spite of those disgusting passages, 'became popular, and were read with delight, as just representations of rural manners and occupations.' Something less than sixty years after the publication of the _Paradise Lost_ appeared Thomson's _Winter_, which was speedily followed by his other Seasons.

It is a work of inspiration, much of it is written from himself, and nobly from himself.

How was it received?
'It was no sooner read,' says one of his contemporary biographers, 'than universally admired those only excepted who had not been used to feel, or to look for anything in poetry, beyond a _point_ of satirical or epigrammatic wit, a smart _antithesis_ richly trimmed with rime, or the softness of an _elegiac_ complaint.

To such his manly classical spirit could not readily commend itself, till, after a more attentive perusal, they had got the better of their prejudices, and either acquired or affected a truer taste.

A few others stood aloof, merely because they had long before fixed the articles of their poetical creed, and resigned themselves to an absolute despair of ever seeing anything new and original.