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I NEED not tell you, my good Sir, what concern the receipt of your last gave me, and how much I sympathize in your sufferings. But do not, I beseech you, give yourself up to despondency, nor speak the language of despair. The vigour of your constitution I trust will soon set you on your feet again; and then it is to be hoped you will see the wisdom and the necessity of taking due care of a life so valuable to your family, to your friends, and to the world.

Trusting that your next will bring agreeable accounts of your convalescence, and returning good spirits, I remain with sincere regard yours.

P. S. Mrs. Hyslop I doubt not delivered the gold seal to you in good condition.

No.

No. LXXXVII.

MR. BURNS to MR. THOMSON.

MY DEAR SIR,

I o

ONCE mentioned to you an air which I have long admired-Here's a health to them that's awa, hiney, but I forget if you took any notice of it. I have just been trying to suit it with verses; and I beg leave to recommend the air to your attention once more. I have only begun it.

CHORUS.

Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear,

"Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear;

Thou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers meet, And soft as their parting tear-Jessy!

Altho❜

Altho' thou maun never be mine,
Altho' even hope is denied ;
'Tis sweeter for thee despairing,

Than aught in the world beside-Jessy!
Here's a health, &c.

I mourn thro' the gay, gaudy day,
As, hopeless, I muse on thy charms;
But welcome the dream o' sweet slumber,
For then I am lockt in thy arms-Jessy!
Here's a health, &c.

I guess by the dear angel smile,

I guess by the love rolling e'e;

But why urge the tender confession

'Gainst fortune's fell cruel decree-Jessy! Here's a health, &c.*

No.

* In the letter to Mr. Thomson, the three first stanzas only are given, and Mr. Thomson supposed our poet had never gone farther. Among his MSS was, however, found the fourth stanza, which completes this exquisite song, the last finished offspring of his muse.

E.

No. LXXXVIII.

MR. BURNS to MR. THOMSON.

THIS will be delivered by a Mr. Lewars, a young fellow of uncommon merit. As he will be a day or two in town, you will have leisure, if you choose to write me by him; and if have a spare half hour to spend with him, I shall place your kindness to my account. I have no

you

copies of the songs I have sent you, and I have taken a fancy to review them all, and possibly may mend some of them; so when you have complete leisure, I will thank you for either the originals, or copies.* I had rather be the author of five well-written songs, than of ten otherwise. I have great hopes that the genial influence of the approaching summer will set me to rights, but as yet I cannot boast of returning health. have now reason to believe that my complaint is a flying gout: a sad business!

I

Do

* It is needless to say, that this revisal Burns did not live to perform.

E.

Do let me know how Cleghorn is, and remember me to him.

This should have been delivered to you a
I am still very poorly, but should

month ago.

like much to hear from you.

No. LXXXIX.

MR. BURNS to MR. THOMSON.

Brow, on the Solway-frith, 12th July, 1796.

AFTER all my boasted independence, curst necessity compels me to implore you for five pounds. A cruel ***** of a haberdasher to whom I owe an account, taking it into his head that I am dying, has commenced a process, and will infallibly put me into jail. Do, for God's sake, send me that sum, and that by return of post. Forgive me this earnestness, but the horrors of a jail have made me half distracted.

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