have any intention, to return to my old ac-phors of gratitude. I thank you, sir, for the quaintance, the plough, and, if I can meet with honour you have done me; and to my latest a lease by which I can live, to commence far- hour will warmly remember it. To be highly mer. I do not intend to give up poetry: being pleased with your book, is what I have in bred to labour secures me independence; and common with the world; but to regard these the muses are my chief, sometimes have been volumes as a mark of the author's friendly my only, enjoyment. If my practice second esteem, is a still more supreme gratification. my resolution, I shall have principally at heart the serious business of life: but while following my plough, or building up my shocks, I shall cast a leisure glance to that dear, that only feature of my character, which gave me the notice of my country and the patronage of a Wallace. Thus, honoured madam, I have given you the bard, his situation, and his views, native as they are in his own bosom. No. XXVI. TO THE SAME. MADAM, Edinburgh, 15th April, 1787. THERE is an affectation of gratitude which I dislike. The periods of Johnson and the pauses of Sterne may hide a selfish heart. For my part, madam, I trust I have too much pride for servility, and too little prudence for selfishness. I have this moment broke open your letter, but "Rude am I in speech, And therefore little can In speaking for myself" grace my cause I leave Edinburgh in the course of ten days or a fortnight; and after a few pilgrimages over some of the classic ground of Caledonia, Cowden-Knowes, Banks of Yarrow, Tweed, &c. I shall return to my rural shades, in all likeli hood never more to quit them. I have formed many intimacies and friendships here, but I am afraid they are all of too tender a construction to bear carriage a hundred and fifty miles. To the rich, the great, the fashionable, the polite, I have no equivalent to offer; and I am afraid my meteor appearance will by no means entitle me to a settled correspondence with any of you, who are the permanent lights of genius and literature. My most respectful compliments to Miss W. If once this tangent flight of mine were over, and I were returned to my wonted leisurely motion in my old circle, I may probably endeavour to return her poetic compliment in kind. No. XXVIII. EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO MRS DUNLOP. Edinburgh, 30th April, 1787. so I shall not trouble you with any fine speeches YOUR criticisms, madam, I understand and hunted figures. I shall just lay my hand very well, and could have wished to have on my heart, and say, I hope I shall ever have pleased you better. You are right in your the truest, the warmest, sense of your good-guess that I am not very amenable to counsel. ness. I come abroad in print for certain on Wednesday. Your orders I shall punctually attend to; only, by the way, I must tell you that I was paid before for Dr Moore's and Miss W.'s copies, through the medium of Commissioner Cochrane in this place; but that we can settle when I have the honour of waiting on you. Dr Smith was just gone to London the morning before I received your letter to him. No. XXVII. TO DR MOORE. Edinburgh, 23d April, 1787. I RECEIVED the books, and sent the one you mentioned to Mrs Dunlop. I am ill-skilled in beating the coverts of imagination for meta Adam Smith. Poets, much my superiors, have so flattered those who possessed the adventitious qualities of wealth and power, that I am determined to flatter no created being either in prose or verse, I set as little by lords, clergy, critics, &c. as all these respective gentry do by my bardship. I know what I may expect from the world by and by-illiberal abuse, and perhaps contemptuous neglect. I am happy, madam, that some of my own favourite pieces are distinguished by your particular approbation. For my Dream, which has unfortunately incurred your loyal displeasure, I hope in four weeks, or less, to have the honour of appearing at Dunlop in its defence, in person. No. XXIX. TO THE REVEREND DR HUGH BLAIR. had to stand a severe trial. I am happy that you have stood it so well; and as far as I bave known or heard, though in the midst of many temptations, without reproach to your character and behaviour. You are now, I presume, to retire to a more Lawn-Market, Edinburgh, 3d May, 1787. private walk of life; and I trust, will conduct REVEREND AND MUCH RESPECTED SIR, I LEAVE Edinburgh to-morrow morning, but could not go without troubling you with half a line, sincerely to thank you for the kindness, patronage, and friendship you have shown me. I often felt the embarrassment of my singular situation; drawn forth from the veriest shades of life to the glare of remark; and honoured by the notice of those illustrious names of my country, whose works, while they are applauded to the end of time, will ever instruct and mend the heart. However the meteor-like novelty of my appearance in the world might attract notice, and honour me with the acquaintance of the permanent lights of genius and literature, those who are truly benefactors of the immortal nature of man; I knew very well, that my utmost merit was far unequal to the task of preserving that character when once the novelty was over. I have made up iny mind, that abuse, or almost even neglect, will not surprise me in my quarters. I have sent you a proof impression of Beugo's work for me, done on Indian paper, as a trifling but sincere testimony with what heartwarm gratitude I am, &c. No. XXX. FROM DR BLAIR. Argyle-Square, Edinburgh, 4th May, 1787. DEAR SIR, I WAS favoured this forenoon with your very obliging letter, together with an impression of your portrait, for which I return you my best thanks. The success you have met with I do not think was beyond your merits; and if I have had any small hand in contributing to it, it gives me great pleasure. I know no way in which literary persons, who are advanced in years, can do more service to the world, than in forwarding the efforts of rising genius, or bringing forth unknown merit from obscurity. I was the first person who brought out to the notice of the world, the poems of Ossian: first by the Fragments of Ancient Poetry which I published, and afterwards, by my setting on foot the undertaking for collecting and publishing the Works of Ossian; and I have always considered this as a meritorious action of my life. Your situation, as you say, was indeed very singular; and, in being brought out all at once from the shades of deepest privacy, to so great a share of public notice and observation, you yourself there with industry, prudence, and honour. You have laid the foundation for just public esteem. In the midst of those employments, which your situation will render proper, you will not, I hope, neglect to promote that esteem, by cultivating your genius, and attending to such productions of it as may raise your character still higher. At the same time, be not in too great a haste to come forward. Take time and leisure to improve and mature your talents; for on any second production you give the world, your fate, as a poet, will very much depend. There is, no doubt, a gloss of novelty which time wears off. As you very properly hint yourself, you are not to be surprised if, in your rural retreat, you do not find yourself surrounded with that glare of notice and applause which here shone upon you. No man can be a good poet without being somewhat of a philosopher. He must lay his account, that any one, who exposes himself to public observation, will occasionally meet with the attacks of illiberal censure, which it is always best to overlook and despise. He will be inclined sometimes to court retreat, and to disappear from public view. He will not affect to shine always, that he may at proper seasons come forth with more advantage and energy. He will not think himself neglected if he be not always praised. I have taken the liberty, you see, of an old man, to give advice and make reflections which your own good sense will, I dare say, render unnecessary. As you mention your being just about to leave town, you are going, I should suppose, to Dumfriesshire, to look at some of Mr Miller's farms. 1 heartily wish the offers to be made you there may answer; as I am persuaded you will not easily find a more generous and better hearted proprietor to live under than Mr Miller. When you return, if you come this way, I will be happy to see you, and to know concerning your future plans of life. You will find me, by the 22d of this month, not in my house in Argyle Square, but at a country-house at Restalrig, about a mile east from Edinburgh, near the Musselburgh road. Wishing you all success and prosperity, I am, with real regard and esteem, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely, HUGH BLAIR. No. XXXI. FROM DR MOORE. DEAR SIR, tain you are capable of making a better use of it, when attained, than is generally done. I beg you will not give yourself the trouble of writing to me when it is inconvenient, and make no apology, when you do write, for havGlifford Street, May 23, 1787. ing postponed it; be assured of this, however, I HAD the pleasure of your letter by Mr Creech, that I shall always be happy to hear from you. and soon after he sent me the new edition of I think my friend Mr- told me that you your poems. You seem to think it incumbent had some poems in manuscript by you of a on you to send to each subscriber a number of satirical and humorous nature (in which, by copies proportionate to his subscription mo- the way, I think you very strong,) which your ney; but you may depend upon it, few sub-prudent friends prevailed on you to omit, parscribers expect more than one copy, whatever ticularly one called Somebody's Confession; if they subscribed. I must inform you, however, you will intrust me with a sight of any of that I took twelve copies for those subscribers these, I will pawn my word to give no copies, for whose money you were so accurate as to and will be obliged to you for a perusal of send me a receipt; and Lord Eglinton told them. me he had sent for six copies for himself, as he wished to give five of them in presents. * Your friend and obedient Servant, I understand you intend to take a farm, and make the useful and respectable business of Some of the poems you have added in this husbandry your chief occupation; this, I hope, last edition are beautiful, particularly the Win-will not prevent your making occasional adter Night, the Address to Edinburgh, Green dresses to the nine ladies who have shown you grow the Rashes, and the two songs immedi- such favour, one of whom visited you in the ately following; the latter of which was ex-auld clay biggin. Virgil, before you, proved quisite. By the way, I imagine you have a to the world that there is nothing in the busipeculiar talent for such compositions, which ness of husbandry inimical to poetry; and I you ought to indulge. No kind of poetry sincerely hope that you may afford an example demands more delicacy or higher polishing. of a good poet being a successful farmer. I Horace is more admired on account of his fear it will not be in my power to visit ScotOdes than all his other writings. But nothing land this season; when I do, I'll endeavour to now added is equal to your Vision and Cottar's find you out, for I heartily wish to see and Saturday Night. In these are united fine converse with you. If ever your occasions imagery, natural and pathetic description, with call you to this place, I make no doubt of your sublimity of language and thought. It is evi- paying me a visit, and you may depend on a dent that you already possess a great variety of very cordial welcome from this family. expression and command of the English lanI am, dear Sir, guage; you ought, therefore, to deal more sparingly for the future in the provincial dialect: why should you, by using that, limit the number of your admirers to those who understand the Scottish, when you can extend it to all persons of taste who understand the English language? In my opinion, you should plan some larger work than any you have as yet attempted. I mean, reflect upon some proper subject, and arrange the plan in your mind, without beginning to execute any part of it till you have studied most of the best English poets, and read a little more of history. The Greek and Roman stories you can read in some abridgment, and soon become master of the most brilliant facts, which must highly delight a poetical mind. You should also, and very soon may, become master of the heathen mythology, to which there are everlasting allusions in all the poets, and which in itself is charmingly fanciful. What will require to be studied with more attention, is modern history; that is, the history of France and Great Britain, from the beginning of Henry the Seventh's reign. I know very well you have a mind capable of attaining knowledge by a shorter process than is commonly used, and I am cer No. XXXII. FROM MR JOHN HUTCHINSON. SIR, Jamaica, St Ann's, 14th June, 1787. I RECEIVED yours, dated Edinburgh, 2d January, 1787, wherein you acquaint me you were engaged with Mr Douglas of Port Antonio, for three years, at thirty pounds sterling a-year; and am happy some unexpected accidents intervened that prevented your sailing with the vessel, as I have great reason to think Mr Douglas's employ would by no means have answered your expectations. I received a copy of your publications, for which I return you my thanks, and it is my own opinion, as well as that of such of my friends as have seen them, they are most excellent in their kind ; although some could have wished they hadbeen in the English style, as they allege the Scottish dialect is now becoming obsolete, and thereby the elegance and beauties of your poems are in a great measure lost to far the His subsequent compositions will bear testimony there is no doubt you had sufficient reasons for greater part of the community. Nevertheless to the accuracy of Dr Moore's judgment. B that polite, agreeable company, raises an honest glow in my bosom. No. XXXIV. TO MR GILBERT BURNS. Edinburgh, 17th September, 1787. MY DEAR BROTHER, your conduct-perhaps the wishes of some of the Scottish nobility and gentry, your patrons, who will always relish their own old country style; and your own inclinations for the same. It is evident from several passages in your works, you are as capable of writing in the English as in the Scottish dialect, and I am in great hopes your genius for poetry, from the specimen you have already given, will turn out both for profit and honour to yourself and country. I can by no means advise you now to think of coming to the West Indies, as, II ARRIVED here safe yesterday evening, after a assure you, there is no encouragement for a man of learning and genius here; and am very confident you can do far better in Great Britain, than in Jamaica. I am glad to hear my friends are well, and shall always be happy to hear from you at all convenient opportunities, wishing you success in all your undertakings. I will esteem it a particular favour if you will send me a copy of the other edition you are now printing. I am, with respect, JOHN HUTCHINSON. No. XXXIII. TO MR WALKER, BLAIR OF Inverness, 5th September, 1787. MY DEAR SIR, * I HAVE just time to write the foregoing, and The little angel band!"—I declare I prayed for them very sincerely to-day at the Fall of Fyars. I shall never forget the fine familypiece I saw at Blair; the amiable, the truly noble Duchess, with her smiling little seraph in her lap, at the head of the table; the lovely "olive plants," as the Hebrew bard finely says, round the happy mother; the beautiful Mrs G; the lovely, sweet Miss C. &c. I wish I had the powers of Guido to do them justice! My Lord Duke's kind hospitality, inarkedly kind, indeed- Mr G. of F's charms of conversation-Sir W. M- 's friendship-in short, the recollection of all "The humble Petition of Bruar. Water to the Duke of Athole." tour of twenty-two days, and travelling near six hundred miles, windings included. My farthest stretch was about ten miles beyond Inverness. I went through the heart of the Highlands, by Crieff, Taymouth, the famous seat of Lord Breadalbane, down the Tay, among cascades and druidical circles of stones to Dunkeld, a seat of the Duke of Athole; thence cross Tay, and up one of his tributary streams to Blair of Athole, another of the Duke's seats, where I had the honour of spending nearly two days with his Grace and family; thence many miles through a wild country, among cliffs grey with eternal snows, and gloomy savage glens, till I crossed Spey and went down the stream through Strathspey, so famous in Scottish music, Badenoch, &c. till I reached Grant Castle, where I spent half a day with Sir James Grant and family; and then crossed the country for Fort George, but I called by the way at Cawdor, the ancient seat of Macbeth; there I saw the identical bed in which, tradition says, King Duncan was murdered: lastly, from Fort George to Inverness. I returned by the coast, through Nairn, Forres, and so on, to Aberdeen; thence to Stonehive, where James Burnes, from Montrose, met me by appointment. I spent two days among our relations, and found our aunts, Jean and Isabel, still alive, and hale old women. John Caird, though born the same year with our father, walks as vigorously as I can; they have had several letters from his son in New York. William Brand is likewise a stout old fellow: but further particulars I delay till I see you, which will be in two or three weeks. The rest of my stages are not worth rehearsing: warm as I was from Ossian's country, where I had seen his very grave, what cared I for fishing towns or fertile carses? I slept at the famous Brodie of Brodie's one night, and dined at Gordon Castle next day with the Duke, Duchess, and family. I am thinking to cause my old mare to meet me, by mears of John Ronald, at Glasgow; but you shall hear farther from me before I leave Edinburgh. My duty, and many compliments from the north, to my mother, and my brotherly compliments to the rest. I have been trying for a birth for William, but am not likely to be successful.-Farewell. SIR, No. XXXV. FROM MR R Ochtertyre, 22d October, 1787. 'Twas only yesterday I got Colonel Edmonstoune's answer, that neither the words of Down the burn Davie, nor Dainty Davie (I forgot which you mentioned), were written by Colonel G. Crawford. Next time I meet ́him, I will inquire about his cousin's poetical talents. Enclosed are the inscriptions you requested, and a letter to Mr Young, whose company and musical talents will, I am persuaded, be a feast to you. Nobody can give you better hints, as to your present plan, tnan he. Receive ◆ These Inscriptions, so much admired by Burns, are faithfulness, grafted on patriarchal hospitality. below: WRITTEN IN 1768. FOR THE SALICTUM† AT OCHTERTYRE. SALUBRITATIS voluptatisque causa, Silvulas inter nascentes reptandi, Hic, si faxit Deus opt. max. Evique paululum supersit, ENGLISHED. To improve both air and soil, I drain and decorate this plantation of willows, Now fondly marking the progress of my trees, With some surviving friend of my youth; And happy with my lot. To introduce state affairs, would raise the style above comedy; though a small spice of them would season the converse of swains. Upon this head I cannot say more than to recommend the study of the character of Eumæus in the Odyssey, which, in Mr Pope's translation, is an exquisite and invaluable drawing from nature, that would suit some of our country elders of the present day. There must be love in the plot, and a happy discovery; and peace and pardon may be the reward of hospitality, and honest attachment to misguided principles. When you have once thought of a plot, and brought the story into form, Dr Blacklock, or Mr H. Mackenzie, may be useful in dividing it into acts and scenes ; for in these matters one must pay some attention to certain rules of the drama. These you could afterwards fill up at your lei. sure. But, whilst I presume to give a few well-meant bints, let me advise you to study the spirit of my namesake's dialogue, which is natural without being low, and, under the trammels of verse, is such as country people in their situations speak every day. You have only to bring down your own strain a very lit. tle. A great plan, such as this, would concenter all your ideas, which facilitates the execution, and makes it a part of one's pleasure. I approve of your plan of retiring from dîn and dissipation to a farm of very moderate size, ABOVE THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE. WRITTEN IN 1775. MIHI meisque utinam contingat, Bene vivere fausteque mori! Baliotam-Grove of Willows, Willow-grøtind. ENGLISHED. On the banks of the Teith, May I and mine live in peace, These inscriptions, and the translations, are in the hand-writing of Mr R This gentleman, if still alive, will, it is hoped, excuse the liberty taken by the unknown editor, in enriching the correspondence of Burns with his excellent letter, and with inscriptions so classical and so interesting. Allan Ramsay, in the Gentle Shepherd. |