The new edition of the author's poems in two volumes, which appeared in the preceding February, had taken so well with the public that the number printed was nearly exhausted, and Mr. Creech had again applied to Burns on the subject of a fresh edition. He took some pains to correct the sheets, and introduced several alterations in the text, especially in the "Twa Dogs," the "Earnest Cry and Prayer," and "Death and Doctor Hornbook." The word "Poet" was substituted for "Bardie," which occurred in several of the pieces, and a few other trivial alterations were made; but no new pieces were added. It was by many supposed that those alterations—some of them no improvements-were made, or at least suggested by, Mr. A. Fraser Tytler; but we were recently shewn the "printer's copy" of volume first, in which the emendations referred to are inserted in a copy of the edition of 1793, in the bard's own hand. That relic, which once belonged to Archibald Constable the publisher, is now possessed by Captain Colin Mackenzie, London. (7) MR. JAMES JOHNSON, ENGRAVER, EDIN BURGH. (DOUGLAS, 1877.)* [DUMFRIES, Oct., 1793.] MY DEAR FRIEND,-I [have not lately had an opportunity] of writing to you: your songs much [occupy my thoughts, but I am worried by un]avoidable hurry. I am [now busy] correcting a new edition [of my poems, and] this, with my ordinary [business, finds me] in full employment. [At your leisure, if you] choose, get somebody to class the first lines of the songs alphabetically, and I will draw out an Index of Author's names, as soon as you send the list, and return [corrected proofs of the songs.] *The original document is a patched and pasted fragment-part of the Hastie collection, in the British Museum. The short insertions within brackets are here put in by conjecture to supply words eaten away from the manuscript. The longer passage at the end within brackets, is supplied from Cromek who printed it as a portion of another letter to Johnson, of later date; as he failed to decypher the present one, which had evidently been in his hands. A valued musical acquaintance of [mine in the neighborhood] of Ayr is thinking [of publishing a] Collection of Strathspeys and Reels. [I have recommended him to you in this matter. Engage with him on the] same terms as you would another; but as you will be promptly paid, let him have your lowest terms. Write to me as to this matter in a post or two at farthest. As to our Musical Museum, I have better than a dozen songs by me for the fifth volume. Send with Mr. Clarke when he comes to you, [whatever new airs you have] got. If we cannot finish the fifth volume any other way, what would you think of Scotch words to some beautiful Irish airs? In the meantime, at your leisure, give a copy of the Museum to my worthy friend, Mr. Peter Hill, Bookseller, to bind for me interleaved with blank leaves, exactly as he did the Laird of Glenriddell's, that I [may insert every anecdote I can learn, together with my own criticisms and remarks on the songs. A copy of this kind I shall leave with you, the editor, to publish at some after period, by way of making the Museum a book famous to the end of time, and you renowned for ever. In haste, yours, R. B.] () TO MR. JAMES JOHNSON, EDINBURGH. (DR. WADDELL'S ED. in part, Douglas, 1877, completed.)* [DUMFRIES, Oct. 1793.] I WAS much obliged to you, my dear Friend, for making me acquainted with Gow. He is a modest, intelligent, worthy fellow; besides his being a man of * We have collated this note with the poet's holograph in the British Museum, and inserted the passages missing in former printed copies. This is supposed to have been a brother of Neil Gow. ET. 35.] A MELANGE OF FRETFULNESS. 369 great genius in his way. I have spent many happy hours with him, in the short while he has been here. Why did you not send me those tunes and verses that Clarke and you cannot make out? Let me have them as soon as possible, that while he is at hand, I may settle the matter with him. He and I have been very busy providing and laying out materials for your fifth volume. I have got about a dozen by me. If you can conveniently, let me have half a dozen copies of your fourth volume: I want no more. As soon as the bound copy of all the volumes is ready, take the trouble of forwarding it. In haste, yours ever, R. B. (TO MRS. RIDDELL, WOODLEY PARK. (CURRIE, 1800.) Nov. 1793. I WILL wait on you, my ever-valued friend, but whether in the morning I am not sure. Sunday closes a period of our curst revenue business, and may probably keep me employed with my pen until noon. Fine employment for a poet's pen! There is a species of the human genus that I call the gin-horse class: what enviable dogs they are! Round, and round, and round they go-Mundell's ox that drives his cotton-mill is their exact prototype-without an idea or wish beyond their circle; fat, sleek, stupid, patient, quiet, and contented; while here I sit, altogether Novemberish, a d-mnd melange of fretfulness and melancholy; not enough of the one to rouse me to passion, nor of the other to repose me in torpor; my soul flouncing and fluttering round her tenement, like a wild finch, caught amid the horrors of winter, and newly thrust into a cage. Well, I am persuaded that it was of me the Hebrew sage prophesied, when he foretold "And behold, on whatsoever this man doth set his heart, it shall not prosper!" If my resentment is awaked, it is sure to be where it dare not squeak; and if— * * Pray that Wisdom and Bliss be more frequent visitors of R. B. () TO MRS. RIDDELL, WOODLEY PARK. DEAR MADAM, I meant to have called on you yesternight, but as I edged up to your box-door, the first object which greeted my view, was one of those lobster-coated puppies, sitting like another dragon, guarding the Hesperian fruit. On the conditions and capitulations you so obligingly offer, I shall certainly make my weather-beaten rustic phiz a part of your box-furniture on Tuesday; when we may arrange the business of the visit. Among the profusion of idle compliments, which insidious craft, or unmeaning folly, incessantly offer at your shrine-a shrine, how far exalted above such adoration-permit me, were it but for rarity's sake, to pay you the honest tribute of a warm heart and an independent mind; and to assure you, that I am, thou most amiable and most accomplished of thy sex, with the most respectful esteem, and fervent regard, thine, &c., R. B. (3) TO MISS FONTENELLE, DUMFRIES THEATRE. WITH A PROLOGUE FOR HER BENEFIT NIGHT. (DOUGLAS, 1877.) Enclosed is the Address, such as it is, and may it be a prologue to an overflowing house. If all the town put together have half the ardor for your success and welfare of my individual wishes, my prayer will most certainly be granted. [2nd. Dec. 1793.] R. B. Still anxious to secure your partial favor, (*) ΤΟ CAPTΑΙΝ ENCLOSING * 'BRUCE'S ADDRESS AT BANNOCKBURN." (CUNNINGHAM, 1834.) DUMFRIES, 5th December, 1793. SIR, heated as I was with wine yesternight, I was perhaps rather seemingly impertinent in my anxious. wish to be honored with your acquaintance. You will forgive it-it was the impulse of heart-felt respect. "He is the father of Scottish county reform, and is a man who does honor to the business, at the same time the business does honor to him," said my worthy friend Glenriddel to somebody by me, who was talking of your coming to this country with your * Chambers has suggested the name "Captn. Robertson of Lude" as the person here addressed: but that gentleman was "Major Robertson," see letter to Cunningham, 3rd March 1794. |
