Notes to the Correspondence of Burns. PAGE 268, NOTE 1.-Mr. James Burness, of Montrose, stood in the relationship of first cousin to Robert Burns. The father of James was, like his brother William, in humble circumstances, but had pursued a more prosperous career. We have already had occasion to remark that the poet was the first of his family to abbreviate the name of Burness to Burns. The grandson of James Burness, of Montrose, was the Lieutenant Burness of our own time, the author of Travels in Bokhara. in the foregoing portion of this volume, in the dissertation on the Life of Robert Burns. PAGE 275, NOTE 7.-The expressions contained in this letter strongly betray the extreme distress from which Burns was suffering, owing to the forced separation between himself and Jean Armour. PAGE 275, NOTE 8.-An allusion to the efforts which were being made at this time by Mr. Aiken, and the other friends of the poet, to procure for him an appointment to PAGE 276, NOTE 9.-Miss Alexander, the sister of Mr. Claude Alexander, who had recently purchased the estate of Ballochmyle. PAGE 270, NOTE 2.-Mr. John Rich-office in the Excise. mond was one of the earliest friends of Burns at Mauchline. He had since embarked in the study of the law, and was the law, and was preparing for that profession at Edinburgh. PAGE 271, NOTE 3.—Mauchline Corse is the name of the Market Cross, in the centre of the village or town. PAGE 272, NOTE 4. According to Motherwell, the piece to which Burns alludes in this letter was that entitled the Mountain Dasiy, or as it was called in the original manuscript, The Goavan. PAGE 272, NOTE 5.-Mr. David Brice was a shoemaker at Glasgow, and an early associate of the poet. PAGE 272, NOTE 6.-Alluding to Miss Jean Armour's return from Paisley, to which she had been sent by her parents, to be out of the reach of her too ardent lover. Burns writes in this spirit under the impression that her own feelings towards him had actually been distorted by the influence of her friends. This was, to a certain extent, the case, as we have had occasion to notice L L PAGE 276, NOTE 10.-The 25th of January, 1759, was the day on which Burns was born. PAGE 277, NOTE 11.-The designation applied to old bachelors. PAGE 277, NOTE 12.-Without a proper covering or cloak to protect you from its rigour. PAGE 277, NOTE 13.-Lady Betty Cun-. ningham. PAGE 278, NOTE 14.-This paper was. written by the author of The Man of Feeling, Mr. Mackenzie. PAGE 279, NOTE 15.-One of thosetraditionary examples with which the lively memory of Burns was so teeming. He appears to have retained and culled these recollections of his early years with peculiar veneration. PAGE 280, NOTE 16.-Dr. Moore's letter,. to which this letter was a reply, ran as | By genius in her native vigour nurst, follows: Clifford Street, Januarg 23rd, 1787. "SIR-I have just received your letter, by which I find I have reason to complain of my friend Mrs. Dunlop, for transmitting to you extracts from my letters to her, by much too freely, and too carelessly written for your perusal. I must forgive her, however, in consideration of her good intention, as you will forgive me, I hope, for the freedom I use with certain expressions, in consideration of my admiration of the poems in general. If I may judge of the author's disposition from his works, with all the other good qualities of a poet, he has not the irritable temper ascribed to that race of men by one of their own number, whom you have the happiness to resemble in ease and curious felicity of expression. Indeed, the poetical beauties, however original and brilliant, and lavishly scattered, are not all I admire in your works; the love of your native country, that feeling sensibility to all the objects of humanity, and the independent spirit which breathes through the whole, give me a most favourable impression of the poet, and have made me often regret that I did not see the poems, the certain effect of which would have been my seeing the author, last summer, when I was longer in Scotland than I have been for many years. "I rejoice very sincerely at the encouragement you receive at Edinburgh, and I think you peculiarly fortunate in the patronage of Dr. Blair, who, I am informed, interests himself very much for you. I beg to be remembered to him; nobody can have a warmer regard for that gentleman than I have, which, independent of the worth of his character, would be kept alive by the memory of our common friend, the late Mr. George Be. "Before I received your letter, I sent, enclosed in a letter to, a sonnet by Miss Williams, a young poetical lady, which she wrote on reading your Mountain Daisy; perhaps it may not displease you: "While soon "the garden's flaunting flowers" decay And scatter'd on the earth neglected lie, The 'Mountain-Daisy,' cherish'd by the ray A poet drew from heaven, shall never die. Ah, like that lonely flower the poet rose! 'Mid penury's bare soil and bitter gale; He felt each storm that on the mountain blows, Nor ever knew the shelter of the vale. On nature with impassion'd look he gazed; Then through the cloud of adverse fortune burst ; Indignant, and in light unborrowed blazed. Scotia! from rude affliction shield thy bard His heaven-taught numbers Fame herself will guard.' "I have been trying to add to the number of your subscribers, but find many of my acquaintance are already among them. I have only to add, that, with every sentiment of esteem, and the most cordial good wishes, I am, your obedient humble servant, J. MOORE." PAGE 282, NOTE 17.-Subjoined is Dr. Moore's reply to this letter, which is added to throw additional light on the subject: "Clifford Street, Feb. 28th, 1787. "DEAR SIR-Your letter of the 15th gave me a great deal of pleasure. It is not surprising that you improve in correctness and taste, considering where you have been for some time past. And I dare swear there is no dauger of your admitting any polish which might weaken the vigour of your native powers. "I am glad to perceive that you disdain the nauseous affectation of decrying your own merit as as a poet, an affectation which is displayed with most ostentation by those who have the greatest share of self-conceit, and which only adds undeceiving falsehood to disgusting vanity. For you to deny the merit of your poems, would be arraigning the fixed opinion of the public. "As the new edition of my View of Society is not yet ready, I have sent you the former edition, which I beg you will It is accept as a small mark of my esteem. sent by sea to the care of Mr. Creech; and along with these four volumes for yourself, I have also sent my Medical Sketches in, one volume, for my friend Mrs. Dunlop, of Dunlop; this you will be so obliging as to transmit, or, if you chance to pass soon by Dunlop, to give to her. "I am happy to hear that your subscription is so ample, and shall rejoice at every piece of good fortune that befalls you. For you are a very great favourite in my family; and this is a higher compliment than perhaps you are aware of. It includes almost all the professions, and, of course, is a proof that your writings are adapted to various tastes and situations. My youngest son, who is at Winchester school, writes to me, that he is translating some stanzas of your 'Hallowe'en' into Latin verse, for the benefit of his com rades. This unison of taste partly proceeds, no doubt, from the cement of Scottish partiality, with which they are all somewhat tinctured. Even your translator, who left Scotland too early in life for recollection, is not without it. I remain, with great sincerity, your obedient servant, J. MOORE." PAGE 282, NOTE 18.- Mr. William Dunbar was writer to the Signet, in Edinburgh, and was the person celebrated in the song, Rattling Roaring Willie. PAGE 286, NOTE 19.-Dr. Smith was author of the well-known work, entitled The Wealth of Nations, and of some admirable translations of the best Greek authors. PAGE 286, NOTE 20.-Subjoined is Dr. Moore's reply to this letter: 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 some 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 VII.'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 certain you are capable of making a better use of it, when attained, than is generally done. "Clifford Street, May 23rd, 1787. "DEAR SIR-I had the pleasure of your letter by Mr. Creech, and soon after he sent me the new edition of your poems. You seem to think it incumbent on you to send to each subscriber a number of copies pro- 'I beg you will not give yourself the portionate to his subscription money, but trouble of writing to me when it is inconyou may depend upon it, few subscribers venient, and make no apology when you expect more than one copy, whatever they do write for having postponed it,-be assured subscribed; I must inform you, however, of this, however, that I shall always be that I took twelve copies for those sub-happy to hear from you. I think my friend scribers, for whose money you were SO Mr. Creech told me that you had some poems accurate as to send me a receipt, and Lord Eglinton told me he had sent for six copies for himself, as he wished to give five of them as presents. in manuscript by you, of a satirical and humorous nature (in which, by the way, I think you very strong), which your prudent friends prevailed on you to omit, particularly one called 'Somebody's Confession;' if you will entrust me with a sight of any one of these, I will pawn my word to give no copies, and will be obliged to you for a perusal of them. "Some of the poems you have added in this last edition are very beautiful, particularly the Winter Night,' the 'Address to Edinburgh,' 'Green grow the rashes,' and the two songs immediately following-the latter of which is exquisite. By the way, "I understand you intend to take a farm, I imagine you have a peculiar talent for such and make the useful and respectable busicompositions which you ought to indulge.ness of husbandry your chief occupation: No kind of poetry demands more delicacy or higher polishing. Horace is more admired on account of his Odes than all his other writings. But nothing now added is But nothing now added is equal to your Vision' and 'Cotter's Saturday Night.' In these are united fine imagery, natural and pathetic description, with sublimity of language and thought. It is evident that you already possess a great variety of expression and command of the English language; 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 this, I hope, will not prevent your making PAGE 286, NOTE 21.-Throng, a very | Take time and leisure to improve and mature familiar Scottish term for busy" having one's hands full." Page 286, NotE 22.-Burns here alludes to his excursion to the south, to visit places of interest, and full of the traditions of the Border contests of early Scottish history. PAGE 287, NOTE 23.-An engraving executed by Beugo, from Nasmyth's portrait of Robert Burns, and which all persons admitted to be even a more faithful likeness than the picture, although that possessed much merit. PAGE 287, NOTE 24.-Subjoined is Dr. Blair's reply to this letter: "Argyle Square, Edinburgh, May 4th, 1787. "DEAR SIR-I was favoured this forenoon with your very obliging lettter, 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 knowledge 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 singular; and in being brought, all at once, from the shades of deepest privacy to so great a share of public notice and observation, you had to stand a severe trial. I am happy that you have stood is so well; and, as far as I have 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 private walk of life; and I trust will conduct 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, At the same time, be not in too great a haste to come forward. 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 him 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 un necessary. "As you mention your being just about to leave town, you are going, I should suppose, to Dumfries-shire, to look at some of Mr. Miller's farms. I 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 22nd of this month, not in my house in Argyle square, but at a country house in Restalrig, about a mile east of Edinburgh, near the Musselburg road. the Musselburg road. Wishing you, with the warmest interest, all success and prosperity, I am, with true regard and esteem, dear Sir, yours sincerely, HUGH BLAIR.” PAGE 287, NOTE 25.-Burns here alludes to an extempore address, which he wrote offhaud to Mr. Creech, of which the opening words are Auld Chuckie Reekie's sair distrest, and which will be found amongst the poems in the foregoing part of this volume. PAGE 287, NOTE 26.-This patron was James, Earl of Glencairn, whose countenance had also reared Mr. Creech to eminence :that celebrated bibliopole having formerly travelled with the earl (then a very young mau), in the capacity of tutor and companion to his lordship. It was by Lord Glencairn, as we have already observed, that Burns was introduced to Creech, PAGE 287, NOTE 27.-Burns here alludes | a physician, at Harrowgate, and survived the to his friend and correspondent, for whom poet nearly forty years. She was celebrated he penned some of his best songs, namely, by the poet in the song entitled the Banks Mr. Johnson, the compiler and publisher of of the Devon. the Scots' Musical Museum. PAGE 288, NOTE 28.-Mr. Peter Hill, afterwards in business for himself as a bookseller, and honoured by the poet's correspondence. Reared with Mr. Creech, he was in his turn, master to Mr. Constable. He died at an advanced age in 1836. PAGE 288, NOTE 29.-This wonderful beast had been named Jenny Geddes by the poet, in honour of the old woman to whom tradition assigns the credit of having cast the first stool at the dean's head in St. Giles's church, July 23, 1637, when the liturgy imposed on Scotland by Charles I. was first read. PAGE 288, NOTE 30.-Auchtertyre was the seat of Sir William Murray, Bart., situated in a picturesque and romantic district, a few miles from Crieff. The son and successor of the then proprietor, namely, Sir George Murray, was subsequently a member of Pitt's administration, as Secretary for the Colonies. PAGE 288, NOTE 31.-This was Auchtertyre, near Stirling, on the banks of the Teith. Mr. Ramsay was not only an accomplished scholar, and remarkable for his distinguished classical attainments and refined taste; but was possessed with a warm national enthusiasm, in favour of the simple and truthful imagery and diction of the less polished literature of his own country. PAGE 289, NOTE 32.-Mr. Cruikshank, of the High School, Edinburgh, and the father of the fair Miss Cruikshank whom Burns has so delicately celebrated in his song of the Rosebud. PAGE 290, NOTE 33.—Mr. Ainslie was educated to the profession of the law, and subsequently became a writer to the Signet, in Edinburgh. He survived the poet nearly half a century, and died at Edinburgh, on the 11th of April 1838, at the advanced age of seventy-two years. At the time in question, he was barely over twenty. He had accompanied Burns on his poetical excursion through the southern or border districts. PAGE 291, NOTE 34.-Mr. Andrew Bruce, of the North Bridge, Edinburgh. PAGE 291, NOTE 35.-Hugh, the neighbour's herdsman, who cuts such a quaint figure in the poem of Poor Mailie, Burns's pet ewe. PAGE 291, NOTE 36.-Miss Charlotte Hamilton subsequently married Dr. Adair, PAGE 291, NOTE 37.-Mr. Hamilton's son, who figures in the poem entitled The Dedication, by the designation of Wee curlie Johnnie. PAGE 292, NOTE 38.-Mr. Walker was employed by the Duke of Athole, at his seat of Blair Athole, in the capacity of tutor to his grace's children. It was at Blair Athole that Burns had first met him, and become acquainted with him, only a few days before the date of this letter, that is, in the month of September, 1787, in the course of one of his Highland excursions. PAGE 292, NOTE 39.-The poet here alludes to the lines entitled the Address of Bruar Water to the Duke of Athole. It will be remembered that in a previous allusion to this subject, we stated that the spot was originally bare and unadorned by plantations, for which the capabilities of the landscape so especially fitted this beautiful spot. Burns was the first who suggested to the Duke the bestowal of a little art in laying out this portion of his estate in ornamental grounds a suggestion which the Duke quickly adopted. PAGE 292, NOTE 40.-The Duchess of Athole of the time being, was the daughter of Charles, Lord Cathcart (the ninth of the title), and the "little angel band," of which Burns speaks with such fervour, were severally, the Lady Charlotte Murray, then only twelve years of age, and subsequently married to Sir John Menzies, of Castle Menzies; Lady Amelia Murray, then seven years of age, and subsequently married to the Lord Viscount Strathallan; and lastly, Lady Elizabeth Murray, then only five months old (an infant in arms), and since married to Macgregor Murray, of Lanrick. PAGE 292, NOTE 41.-The valley of Strathspey has given its name to the dancing tunes in quick time, so popular in Scotland, and especially in the Highlands, and which derived their origin remotely from this district. Page 292, NOTE 42.-Stonehaven, sometimes also called Stonehive, by the people of the country. PAGE 292, NOTE 43.The youngest daughter of the late James Chalmers, Esq., of Fingland. She married, December 9, 1788, Lewis Hay, Esq., of the banking firm of Sir William Forbes, James Hunter, and Company, Edinburgh. Mrs. Hay has since resided at Pau, in the south of France. |