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 tour of twenty-two days, and travelling near man of learning and genius here; and am very six hundred miles, windings included. My confident you can do far better in Great Bri- farthest stretch was about ten miles beyond tain, than in Jamaica. I am glad to hear my Inverness. I went through the heart of the friends are well, and shall always be happy to Highlands, by Crieff, Taymouth, the famous hear from you at all convenient opportunities, seat of Lord Breadalbane, down the Tay, wishing you success in all your undertakings. among cascades and druidical circles of stones I will esteem it a particular favour if you will to Dunkeld, a seat of the Duke of Athole; send me a copy of the other edition you are thence cross Tay, and up one of his tributary now printing. 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 fa mily; thence many miles through a wild country, among cliff's 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 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 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 to tell you that it was (at least most part of it,) the effusion of an half hour I spent at Bruar. I do not mean it was extempore, for I have endeavoured to brush it up as well as Mr N's chat, and the jogging of the chaise, would allow. It eases my heart a good deal, as rhyme is the coin with which a poet pays his debts of honour or gratitude. What I owe to the noble family of Athole, of the first kind, I shall ever proudly boast; what I owe of the last, so help me God in my hour of need, I shall never forget. 66 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." 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 means 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 Duvie (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, * Receive as to your present plan, tnan he. 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. 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 din 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! Balictum-Grove of Willows, Willow-ground. 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. your conduct-perhaps the wishes of some of | that polite, agreeable company, raises an honest the Scottish nobility and gentry, your patrons, glow in my bosom. No. XXXIV. TO MR GILBERT BURNS. Edinburgh, 17th September, 1787. who will always relish their own old country 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 to tell you that it was (at least most part of it,) the effusion of an half hour I spent at Bruar. I do not mean it was extempore, for I have endeavoured to brush it up as well as Mr N's chat, and the jogging of the chaise, would allow. It eases my heart a good deal, as rhyme is the coin with which a poet pays his debts of honour or gratitude. What I owe to the noble family of Athole, of the first kind, I shall ever proudly boast; what I owe of the last, so help me God in my hour of need, I shall never forget. 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 The little "angel band!"-I declare I pray- weeks. The rest of my stages are not worth ed for them very sincerely to-day at the Fall rehearsing: warm as I was from Ossian's of Fyars. I shall never forget the fine family-country, where I had seen his very grave, what piece 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." cared I for fishing towns or fertile carses? I 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. 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! #alictum-Grove of Willows, Willow-ground. 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. sufficient to find exercise for mind and body, but not so great as to absorb better things. And if some intellectual pursuit be well chosen and steadily pursued, it will be more lucrative than most farms, in this age of rapid improvement. No. XXXVI. FROM MR W Athole House, 13th September, 1787. YOUR letter of the 5th reached me only on the 11th; what awkward route it had taken 1 know not; but it deprived me of the pleasure of writing to you in the manner you proposed, as you must have left Dundee before a letter could possibly have got there. I hope your disappointment on being forced to leave us was as great as appeared from your expressions. This is the best consolation for the greatness of ours. I still think with vexation on that ill-timed indisposition which lost me a day's enjoyment of a man (I speak without flattery) possessed of those very dispositions and talents I most admire; one Upon this subject, as your well-wisher and admirer, permit me to go a step farther. Let those bright talents which the Almighty has bestowed on you, be henceforth employed to the noble purpose of supporting the cause of truth and virtue. An imagination so varied and forcible as yours, may do this in many different modes; nor is it necessary to be always serious, which you have been to good purpose; good morals may be recommended in a comedy, or even in a song. Great allowances are due to the heat and inexperience of youth;—and few poets can boast, like Thomson, of never having written a line, which, dying, they would wish to blot. In particular, I wish you to keep clear of the thorny walks of satire, which makes a man a hundred enemies for one friend, and is doubly dangerous when one is supposed to extend the slips and weaknesses of individuals to their sect or party. About modes of faith, serious and excellent men have always differed; and there are certain curious ques-"our own and our little children's principal support!" tions, which may afford scope to men of metaphysical heads, but seldom mend the heart or temper. Whilst these points are beyond human ken, it is sufficient that all our sects concur in their views of morals. You will forgive me for these hints. Well! what think you of good Lady C.? It is a pity she is so deaf, and speaks so indistinctly. Her house is a specimen of the mansions of our gentry of the last age, when hospitality and elevation of mind were conspicuous amidst plain fare and plain furniture. shall be glad to hear from you at times, if it were no more than to show that you take the effusions of an obscure man like me in good part. I beg my best respects to Dr and Mrs Blacklock,* And am, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant. I *TALE OF OMERON CAMERON. IN one of the wars betwixt the Crown of Scotland and the Lords of the Isles, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar (a distinguished character in the fifteenth century), and Donald Stewart, Earl of Caithness, had the command of the royal army. They marched into Lochaber, with a view of attacking a body of M'Donalds, commanded by Donald Balloch, and posted upon an arm of the sea which intersects that country. Having timely intelligence of their approach, the insurgents got off precipitately to the opposite shore in their curaghs, or boats covered with skins. The king's troops encamped in full security; but the M'Donalds, returning about midnight, surprised them, killed the Earl of Caithness, and destroyed or dispersed the whole army. The Earl of Mar escaped in the dark, without any attendants, and made for the more hilly part of the country. In the course of his flight he came to the house of a poor man, whose name was Omeron Came. ron. The landlord welcomed his guest with the utmost kindness; but, as there was no meat in the house, he You know how anxious the Duke was to have another day of you, and to let Mr Dundas have the pleasure of your conversation as the best dainty with which he could enter told his wife he would directly kill Mool Odhar, to feed the stranger. "Kill our only cow!" said she, More attentive, however, to the present call for hospitality, than to the remonstrances of his wife, or the future exigencies of his family, he killed the cow. The best and tenderest parts were immediately roasted before the fire, and plenty of innirich, or Highland soup, prepared to conclude their meal.—The whole family and their guest ate heartily, and the evening was spent as usual, in telling tales and singing songs beside a cheerspread the cow hide upon it, and desired the stranger ful fire. Bed-time came; Omeron brushed the hearth, to lie down. The Earl wrapped his plaid about him, and slept sound on the hide, whilst the family betook themselves to rest in a corner of the same room. his departure his guest asked Cameron, if he knew Next morning they had a plentiful breakfast, and at whom he had entertained? "You may probably," answered he, "be one of the king's officers; but whoever you are, you came here in distress, and here it was my duty to protect you. To what my cottage afforded, you are most welcome."-" Your guest, then," replied the other, "is the Earl of Mar; and if hereafter you fall into any misfortune, fail not to come to the castle of Kildrummie."-" My blessing be with you! noble stranger," said Omeron; "if I am ever in distress, you shall soon see me." The royal army was soon after re-assembled; and the insurgents, finding themselves unable to make head against it, dispersed. The M'Donalds, however, got notice that Omeron had been the Earl's host, and forced him to fly the country. He came with his wife and children to the gate of Kildrummie Castle, and required admittance with a confidence which hardly corresponded with his habit and appearance. The porter told him, rudely, his Lordship was at dinner, and must not be disturbed. He became noisy and importunate: at last his name was announced. Upon hearing that it was Omeron Cameron, the Earl started from his seat, and is said to have exclaimed in a sort of poetical stanza, “I was a night in his house, and fared most plentifully; but naked of clothes was my bed. Omeron from Breugach is an excellent fellow!" He was introduced into the great hall, and received with the welcome he deserved. Upon hearing how he had been treated, the Earl gave him a four merk land near the castle; and it is said there are still in the country a number of Came. rons descended of this Highland Eumæus. Mool Odhar, i. e. the brown humble cow |