[1] His naturally delicate constitution, as well as his tastes, had all along prevented him from going much into fashionable society, and from his early years he started writing poetry, receiving ready commendation from his friends.

Between 1724 and 1727, he contributed lyrics to Allan Ramsay's Tea Table Miscellany, and he showed a practical interest in the success of the Gentle Shepherd.

The poet's ardour in his love-songs led, at least in one case, to a feeling of resentment on the part of a lady, who consulted his close friend Henry Home, Lord Kames in her dilemma, and, acting on his advice to profess a return of affection, quickly startled Hamilton into an attitude of distant reserve.

After Culloden he was for a time in hiding in the highlands, and A Soliloquy wrote in June 1746 is charged with a deep feeling of his troubles.

On the intercession of influential friends, he was allowed to return to Scotland, but the great strain had deeply affected his weak constitution, and he found it impossible to remain at home.