Epistles (Horace) meditative life, and had become fonder of the country and of study, and that while owing allegiance to no school or sect of philosophy, he was framing for himself a scheme of life, was endeavoring to conform to it, and was bent on inculcating it in others." "In both his "Satires" and "Epistles", Horace shows himself a genuine moralist, a subtle observer and true painter of life, and an admirable writer." But in spirit the "Epistles" are more philosophic, more ethical and meditative. Like the "Odes" they exhibit the twofold aspects of Horace's philosophy, that of temperate Epicureanism and that
Alexander Geddes on as far as the Book of Second Chronicles and the Prayer of Manasseh which was published in 2 volumes (1792–1797). A translation of "Psalms" was published in 1807. This was followed by "Critical Remarks on the Hebrew Scriptures" (1800), in which he largely anticipated the German school of Higher Criticism. The result of this publication was Geddes's suspension from all ecclesiastical functions. Geddes was also a poet, and wrote "Linton: a Tweedside Pastoral", "Carmen Seculare pro Gallica Gente" (1790), in praise of the French Revolution. He died without recanting, but received absolution at the hands of a French priest,