GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Reading edition
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
1781.
No.
I. To William Burness. His health a little better, but tired of life. The Revelations 311
1783.
II. To Mr. John Murdoch. His present studies and temper of mind 312
III. To Mr. James Burness. His father’s illness, and sad state of the country 313
IV. To Miss E. Love 314
V. To Miss E. Love 314
VI. To Miss E. Love 315
VII. To Miss E. On her refusal of his hand 316
VIII. To Robert Riddel, Esq. Observations on poetry and human life 316
1784.
IX. To Mr. James Burness. On the death of his father 322
X. To Mr. James Burness. Account of the Buchanites 322
XI. To Miss ——. With a book 323
1786.
XII. To Mr. John Richmond. His progress in poetic composition 323
XIII. To Mr. John Kennedy. The Cotter’s Saturday Night 324
XIV. To Mr. Robert Muir. Enclosing his “Scotch Drink” 324
XV. To Mr. Aiken. Enclosing a stanza on the blank leaf of a book by Hannah More 324
XVI. To Mr. M’Whinnie, Subscriptions 324
XVII. To Mr. John Kennedy. Enclosing “The Gowan” 325
XVIII. To Mon. James Smith. His voyage to the West Indies 325
XIX. To Mr. John Kennedy. His poems in the press. Subscriptions 325
XX. To Mr. David Brice. Jean Armour’s return,—printing his poems 326
XXI. To Mr. Robert Aiken. Distress of mind 326
XXII. To Mr. John Richmond. Jean Armour 327
XXIII. To John Ballantyne, Esq. Aiken’s coldness. His marriage-lines destroyed 328
XXIV. To Mr. David Brice. Jean Armour. West Indies 328
XXV. To Mr. John Richmond. West Indies The Armours 328
XXVI. To Mr. Robert Muir. Enclosing “The Calf” 329
XXVII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Thanks for her notice. Sir William Wallace 329
XXVIII. To Mr. John Kennedy. Jamaica 330
XXIX. To Mr. James Burness. His departure uncertain 330
XXX. To Miss Alexander. “The Lass of Ballochmyle” 330
XXXI. To Mrs. Stewart, of Stair and Afton. Enclosing some songs. Miss Alexander 331
XXXII. Proclamation in the name of the Muses 332
XXXIII. To Mr. Robert Muir. Enclosing “Tam Samson.” His Edinburgh expedition 332
XXXIV. To Dr. Mackenzie. Enclosing the verses on dining with Lord Daer 332
XXXV. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq. Rising fame. Patronage 333
XXXVI. To John Ballantyne, Esq. His patrons and patronesses. The Lounger 333
XXXVII. To Mr. Robert Muir. A note of thanks. Talks of sketching the history of his life 334
XXXVIII. To Mr. William Chalmers. A humorous sally 334
1787.
XXXIX. To the Earl of Eglinton. Thanks for his patronage 335
XL. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq. Love 335
XLI. To John Ballantyne, Esq. Mr. Miller’s offer of a farm 335
XLII. To John Ballantyne, Esq. Enclosing “The Banks o’ Doon.” First Copy 336
XLIII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Dr. Moore and Lord Eglinton. His situation in Edinburgh 336
XLIV. To Dr. Moore. Acknowledgments for his notice 337
XLV. To the Rev. G. Lowrie. Reflections on his situation in life. Dr. Blacklock, Mackenzie 338
XLVI. To Dr. Moore. Miss Williams 338
XLVII. To John Ballantyne, Esq. His portrait engraving 339
XLVIII. To the Earl of Glencairn. Enclosing “Lines intended to be written under a noble Earl’s picture” 339
XLIX. To the Earl of Buchan. In reply to a letter of advice 339
L. To Mr. James Candlish. Still “the old man with his deeds” 340
LI. To ——. On Fergusson’s headstone 341
LII. To Mrs. Dunlop. His prospects on leaving Edinburgh 341
LIII. To Mrs. Dunlop. A letter of acknowledgment for the payment of the subscription 342
LIV. To Mr. Sibbald. Thanks for his notice in the magazine 343
LV. To Dr. Moore. Acknowledging the present of his View of Society 343
LVI. To Mr. Dunlop. Reply to criticisms 343
LVII. To the Rev. Dr. Hugh Blair. On leaving Edinburgh. Thanks for his kindness 344
LVIII. To the Earl of Glencairn. On leaving Edinburgh 344
LIX. To Mr. William Dunbar. Thanking him for the present of Spenser’s poems 344
LX. To Mr. James Johnson. Sending a song to the Scots Musical Museum 345
LXI. To Mr. William Creech. His tour on the Border. Epistle in verse to Creech 345
LXII. To Mr. Patison. Business 345
LXIII. To Mr. W. Nicol. A ride described in broad Scotch 346
LXIV. To Mr. James Smith. Unsettled in life. Jamaica 346
LXV. To Mr. W. Nicol. Mr. Miller, Mr. Burnside. Bought a pocket Milton 347
LXVI. To Mr. James Candlish. Seeking a copy of Lowe’s poem of “Pompey’s Ghost” 347
LXVII. To Robert Ainslie, Esq. His tour 348
LXVIII. To Mr. W. Nicol. Auchtertyre 348
LXIX. To Mr. Wm. Cruikshank. Auchtertyre 348
LXX. To Mr. James Smith. An adventure 349
LXXI. To Mr. John Richmond. His rambles 350
LXXII. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. Sets high value on his friendship 350
LXXIII. To the same. Nithsdale and Edinburgh 350
LXXIV. To Dr. Moore. Account of his own life 351
LXXV. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. A humorous letter 357
LXXVI. To Mr. Robert Muir. Stirling, Bannockburn 357
LXXVII. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq. Of Mr. Hamilton’s own family 358
LXXVIII. To Mr. Walker. Bruar Water. The Athole family 359
LXXIX. To Mr. Gilbert Burns. Account of his Highland tour 359
LXXX. To Miss Margaret Chalmers. Charlotte Hamilton. Skinner. Nithsdale 360
LXXXI. To the same. Charlotte Hamilton, and “The Banks of the Devon” 360
LXXXII. To James Hoy, Esq. Mr. Nicol. Johnson’s Musical Museum 361
LXXXIII. To Rev. John Skinner. Thanking him for his poetic compliment 361
LXXXIV. To James Hoy, Esq. Song by the Duke of Gordon 362
LXXXV. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. His friendship for him 363
LXXXVI. To the Earl of Glencairn. Requesting his aid in obtaining an excise appointment 363
LXXXVII. To James Dalrymple, Esq. Rhyme. Lord Glencairn 363
LXXXVIII. To Charles Hay, Esq. Enclosing his poem on the death of the Lord President Dundas 364
LXXXIX. To Miss M——n. Compliments 364
XC. To Miss Chalmers. Charlotte Hamilton 365
XCI. To the same. His bruised limb. The Bible. The Ochel Hills 365
XCII. To the same. His motto—“I dare.” His own worst enemy 365
XCIII. To Sir John Whitefoord. Thanks for his friendship. Of poets 366
XCIV. To Miss Williams. Comments on her poem of the Slave Trade 366
XCV. To Mr. Richard Brown. Recollections of early life. Clarinda 368
XCVI. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq. Prayer for his health 369
XCVII. To Miss Chalmers. Complimentary poems. Creech 369
1788.
XCVIII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Lowness of spirits. Leaving Edinburgh 370
XCIX. To the same. Religion 370
C. To the Rev. John Skinner. Tullochgorum. Skinner’s Latin 370
CI. To Mr. Richard Brown. His arrival in Glasgow 371
CII. To Mrs. Rose of Kilravock. Recollections of Kilravock 371
CIII. To Mr. Richard Brown. Friendship. The pleasures of the present 372
CIV. To Mr. William Cruikshank. Ellisland. Plans in life 372
CV. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. Ellisland. Edinburgh. Clarinda 373
CVI. To Mr. Richard Brown. Idleness. Farming 374
CVII. To Mr. Robert Muir. His offer for Ellisland. The close of life 374
CVIII. To Miss Chalmers. Taken Ellisland. Miss Kennedy 375
CIX. To Mrs. Dunlop. Coila’s robe 375
CX. To Mr. Richard Brown. Apologies. On his way to Dumfries from Glasgow 375
CXI. To Mr. Robert Cleghorn. Poet and fame. The air of Captain O’Kean 376
CXII. To Mr. William Dunbar. Foregoing poetry and wit for farming and business 376
CXIII. To Miss Chalmers. Miss Kennedy. Jean Armour 377
CXIV. To the same. Creech’s rumoured bankruptcy 377
CXV. To the same. His entering the Excise 377
CXVI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Fanning and the Excise. Thanks for the loan of Dryden and Tasso 378
CXVII. To Mr. James Smith. Jocularity. Jean Armour 378
CXVIII. To Professor Dugald Stewart. Enclosing some poetic trifles 379
CXIX. To Mrs. Dunlop. Dryden’s Virgil. His preference of Dryden to Pope 379
CXX. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. His marriage. 379
CXXI. To Mrs. Dunlop. On the treatment of servants 380
CXXII. To the same. The merits of Mrs. Burns 380
CXXIII. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. The warfare of life. Books. Religion 381
CXXIV. To the same. Miers’ profiles 382
CXXV. To the same. Of the folly of talking of one’s private affairs 382
CXXVI. To Mr. George Lockhart. The Miss Baillies. Bruar Water 383
CXXVII. To Mr. Peter Hill. With the present of a cheese 383
CXXVIII. To Robert Graham Esq., of Fintray. The Excise 384
CXXIX. To Mr. William Cruikshank. Creech. Lines written in Friar’s Carse Hermitage 385
CXXX. To Mrs. Dunlop. Lines written at Friar’s Carse. Graham of Fintray 385
CXXXI. To the same. Mrs. Burns. Of accomplished young ladies 386
CXXXII. To the same. Mrs. Miller, of Dalswinton. “The Life and Age of Man.” 387
CXXXIII. To Mr. Beugo. Ross and “The Fortunate Shepherdess.” 388
CXXXIV. To Miss Chalmers. Recollections. Mrs. Burns. Poetry 388
CXXXV. To Mr. Morison. Urging expedition with his clock and other furniture for Ellisland 390
CXXXVI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Mr. Graham. Her criticisms 390
CXXXVII. To Mr. Peter Hill. Criticism on an “Address to Loch Lomond.” 391
CXXXVIII. To the Editor of the Star. Pleading for the line of the Stuarts 392
CXXXIX. To Mrs. Dunlop. The present of a heifer from the Dunlops 393
CXL. To Mr. James Johnson. Scots Musical Museum 393
CXLI. To Dr. Blacklock. Poetical progress. His marriage 394
CXLII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Enclosing “Auld Lang Syne” 394
CXLIII. To Miss Davies. Enclosing the song of “Charming, lovely Davies” 395
CXLIV. To Mr. John Tennant. Praise of his whiskey 395
1789.
CXLV. To Mrs. Dunlop. Reflections suggested by the day 396
CXLVI. To Dr. Moore. His situation and prospects 396
CXLVII. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. His favourite quotations. Musical Museum 398
CXLVIII. To Professor Dugald Stewart. Enclosing some poems for his comments upon 398
CXLIX. To Bishop Geddes. His situation and prospects 399
CL. To Mr. James Burness. His wife and farm. Profit from his poems. Fanny Burns 399
CLI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Reflections. His success in song encouraged a shoal of bardlings 400
CLII. To the Rev. Peter Carfrae. Mr. Mylne’s poem 401
CLIII. To Dr. Moore. Introduction. His ode to Mrs. Oswald 401
CLIV. To Mr. William Burns. Remembrance 402
CLV. To Mr. Peter Hill. Economy and frugality. Purchase of books 402
CLVI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Sketch inscribed to the Right Hon. C.J. Fox 403
CLVII. To Mr. William Burns. Asking him to make his house his home 404
CLVIII. To Mrs. M’Murdo. With the song of “Bonnie Jean” 404
CLIX. To Mr. Cunningham. With the poem of “The Wounded Hare” 404
CLX. To Mr. Samuel Brown. His farm. Ailsa fowling 405
CLXI. To Mr. Richard Brown. Kind wishes 405
CLXII. To Mr. James Hamilton. Sympathy 406
CLXIII. To William Creech, Esq. Toothache. Good wishes 406
CLXIV. To Mr. M’Auley. His own welfare 406
CLXV. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. Overwhelmed with incessant toil 407
CLXVI. To Mr. M’Murdo. Enclosing his newest song 407
CLXVII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Reflections on religion 408
CLXVIII. To Mr. ——. Fergusson the poet 408
CLXIX. To Miss Williams. Enclosing criticisms on her poems 409
CLXX. To Mr. John Logan. With “The Kirk’s Alarm” 410
CLXXI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Religion. Dr. Moore’s “Zeluco” 410
CLXXII. To Captain Riddel. “The Whistle” 411
CLXXIII. To the same. With some of his MS. poems 411
CLXXIV. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. His Excise employment 412
CLXXV. To Mr. Richard Brown. His Excise duties 412
CLXXVI. To Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintray. The Excise. Captain Grose. Dr. M’Gill 413
CLXXVII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Reflections on immortality 414
CLXXVIII. To Lady M.W. Constable. Jacobitism 415
CLXXIX. To Provost Maxwell. At a loss for a subject 415
1790.
CLXXX. To Sir John Sinclair. Account of a book-society in Nithsdale 416
CLXXXI. To Charles Sharpe, Esq. A letter with a fictitious signature 416
CLXXXII. To Mr. Gilburt Burns. His farm a ruinous affair. Players 417
CLXXXIII. To Mr. Sutherland. Enclosing a Prologue 418
CLXXXIV. To Mr. William Dunbar. Excise. His children. Another world 418
CLXXXV. To Mrs. Dunlop. Falconer the poet. Old Scottish songs 419
CLXXXVI. To Mr. Peter Hill. Mademoiselle Burns. Hurdis. Smollett and Cowper 420
CLXXXVII. To Mr. W. Nicol. The death of Nicol’s mare Peg Nicholson 420
CLXXXVIII. To Mr. W. Cunningham. What strange beings we are 421
CLXXXIX. To Mr. Peter Hill. Orders for books. Mankind 423
CXC. To Mrs. Dunlop. Mackenzie and the Mirror and Lounger 423
CXCI. To Collector Mitchell. A county meeting 424
CXCII. To Dr. Moore. “Zeluco.” Charlotte Smith 425
CXCIII. To Mr. Murdoch. William Burns 425
CXCIV. To Mr. M’Murdo. With the Elegy on Matthew Henderson 426
CXCV. To Mrs. Dunlop. His pride wounded 426
CXCVI. To Mr. Cunningham. Independence 426
CXCVII. To Dr. Anderson. “The Bee.” 427
CXCVIII. To William Tytler, Esq. With some West-country ballads 427
CXCIX. To Crauford Tait, Esq. Introducing Mr. William Duncan 427
CC. To Crauford Tait, Esq. “The Kirk’s Alarm” 428
CCI. To Mrs. Dunlop. On the birth of her grandchild. Tam O’ Shanter 429
1791.
CCII. To Lady M.W. Constable. Thanks for the present of a gold snuff-box 429
CCIII. To Mr. William Dunbar. Not gone to Elysium. Sending a poem 429
CCIV. To Mr. Peter Mill. Apostrophe to Poverty 430
CCV. To Mr. Cunningham. Tam O’ Shanter. Elegy on Miss Burnet 430
CCVI. To A.F. Tytler, Esq. Tam O’ Shanter 431
CCVII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Miss Burnet. Elegy writing 431
CCVIII. To Rev. Arch. Alison. Thanking him for his “Essay on Taste” 432
CCIX. To Dr. Moore. Tam O’ Shanter. Elegyon Henderson. Zeluco. Lord Glencairn 432
CCX. To Mr. Cunningham. Songs 433
CCXI. To Mr. Alex. Dalzel. The death of the Earl of Glencairn 434
CCXII. To Mrs. Graham, of Fintray. With “Queen Mary’s Lament” 434
CCXIII. To the same. With his printed Poems 435
CCXIV. To the Rev. G. Baird. Michael Bruce 435
CCXV. To Mrs. Dunlop. Birth of a son 435
CCXVI. To the same. Apology for delay 436
CCXVII. To the same. Quaint invective on a pedantic critic 436
CCXVIII. To Mr. Cunningham. The case of Mr. Clarke of Moffat, Schoolmaster 437
CCXIX. To the Earl of Buchan. With the Address to the shade of Thomson 437
CCXX. To Mr. Thomas Sloan. Apologies. His crop sold well 438
CCXXI. To Lady E. Cunningham. With the Lament for the Earl of Glencairn 438
CCXXII. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. State of mind. His income 439
CCXXIII. To Col. Fullarton. With some Poems. His anxiety for Fullarton’s friendship 439
CCXXIV. To Miss Davis. Lethargy, Indolence, and Remorse. Our wishes and our powers 440
CCXXV. To Mrs. Dunlop. Mrs. Henri. The Song of Death 440
1792.
CCXXVI. To Mrs. Dunlop. The animadversions of the Board of Excise 441
CCXXVII. To Mr. William Smellie. Introducing Mrs. Riddel 441
CCXXVIII. To Mr. W. Nicol. Ironical reply to a letter of counsel and reproof 442
CCXXIX. To Francis Grose, Esq. Dugald Stewart 443
CCXXX. To the same. Witch stories 443
CCXXXI. To Mr. S. Clarke. Humorous invitation to teach music to the M’Murdo family 444
CCXXXII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Love and Lesley Baillie 445
CCXXXIII. To Mr. Cunningham. Lesley Baillie 446
CCXXXIV. To Mr. Thomson. Promising his assistance to his collection of songs and airs 447
CCXXXV. To Mrs. Dunlop. Situation of Mrs.Henri 448
CCXXXVI. To the same. On the death of Mrs. Henri 449
CCXXXVII. To Mr. Thomson. Thomson’s fastidiousness. “My Nannie O,” &c. 449
CCXXXVIII. To the same. With “My wife’s a winsome wee thing,” and “Lesley Baillie” 450
CCXXXIX. To the same. With Highland Mary. The air of Katherine Ogie 450
CCXL. To the same. Thomson’s alterations and observations 451
CCXLI. To the same. With “Auld Rob Morris,” and “Duncan Gray” 451
CCXLII. To Mrs. Dunlop. Birth of a daughter. The poet Thomson’s dramas 451
CCXLIII. To Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintray. The Excise inquiry into his political conduct 452
CCXLIV. To Mrs. Dunlop. Hurry of business. Excise inquiry 453
1793.
CCXLV. To Mr. Thomson. With “Poortithcauld” and “Galla Water” 453
CCXLVI. To the same. William Tytler, Peter Pindar 453
CCXLVII. To Mr. Cunningham. The poet’s seal. David Allan 454
CCXLVIII. To Thomson. With “Mary Morison” 455
CCCXLIX. To the same. With “Wandering Willie” 455
CCL. To Miss Benson. Pleasure he had in meeting her 455
CCLI. To Patrick Miller, Esq. With the present of his printed poems 456
CCLII. To Mr. Thomson. Review of Scottish song. Crawfurd and Ramsay 456
CCLIII. To the same. Criticism. Allan Ramsay 457
CCLIV. To the same. “The last time I came o’er the moor” 458
CCLV. To John Francis Erskine, Esq. Self-justification. The Excise inquiry 459
CCLVI. To Mr. Robert Ainslie. Answering letters. Scholar-craft 460
CCLVII. To Miss Kennedy. A letter of compliment 461
CCLVIII. To Mr. Thomson. Frazer. “Blithe had I been on yon hill” 461
CCLIX. To Mr. Thomson. “Logan Water.” “Ogin my love were yon red rose” 462
CCLX. To the same. With the song of “Bonnie Jean” 463
CCLXI. To the same. Hurt at the idea of pecuniary recompense. Remarks on song 463
CCLXII. To the same. Note written in the name of Stephen Clarke 464
CCLXIII. To the same. With “Phillis the fair” 464
CCLXIV. To the same. With “Had I a cave on some wild distant shore” 464
CCLXV. To the same. With “Allan Water” 464
CCLXVI. To the same. With “O whistle, and I’ll come to you, my lad,” &c. 465
CCLXVII. To the same. With “Come, let me take thee to my breast” 465
CCLXVIII. To the same. With “Dainty Davie” 466
CCLXIX. To Miss Craik. Wretchedness of poets 466
CCLXX. To Lady Glencairn. Gratitude. Excise. Dramatic composition 466
CCLXXI. To Mr. Thomson. With “Scots wha hae wi’ Wallace bled” 467
CCLXXII. To the same. With “Behold the hour, the boat arrive” 468
CCLXXIII. To the same. Crawfurd and Scottish song 468
CCLXXIV. To the same. Alterations in “Scots wha hae wi’ Wallace bled” 470
CCLXXV. To the same. Further suggested alterations in “Scots wha hae” rejected. 470
CCLXXVI. To the same. With “Deluded swain, the pleasure,” and “Raving winds around her blowing” 471
CCLXXVII. To the same. Erskine and Gavin Turnbull 471
CCLXXVIII. To John M’Murdo, Esq. Payment of a debt. “The Merry Muses” 472
CCLXXIX. To the same. With his printed poems 473
CCLXXX. To Captain ——. Anxiety for his acquaintance. “Scots wha hae wi’ Wallace bled” 473
CCLXXXI. To Mrs. Riddel. The Dumfries Theatre 474
1794.
CCLXXXII. To a Lady. In favour of a player’s benefit 474
CCLXXXIII. To the Earl of Buchan. With a copy of “Scots wha hae” 474
CCLXXXIV. To Captain Miller. With a copy of “Scots wha hae” 475
CCLXXXV. To Mrs. Riddel. Lobster-coated puppies 475
CCLXXXVI. To the same. The gin-horse class of the human genus 475
CCLXXXVII. To the same. With “Werter.” Her reception of him 475
CCLXXXVIII. To Mrs. Riddel. Her caprice 476
CCLXXXIX. To the same. Her neglect and unkindness 476
CCXC. To John Syme, Esq. Mrs. Oswald, and “O wat ye wha’s in yon town” 476
CCXCI. To Miss ——. Obscure allusions to a friend’s death. His personal and poetic fame 477
CCXCII. To Mr. Cunningham. Hypochondria. Requests consolation 477
CCXCIII. To the Earl of Glencairn. With his printed poems 478
CCXCIV. To Mr. Thomson. David Allan. “The banks of Cree” 479
CCXCV. To David M’Culloch, Esq. Arrangements for a trip in Galloway 479
CCXCVI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Threatened with flying gout. Ode on Washington’s birthday 479
CCXCVII. To Mr. James Johnson. Low spirits. The Museum. Balmerino’s dirk 480
CCXCVIII. To Mr. Thomson. Lines written in “Thomson’s Collection of songs” 480
CCXCIX. To the same. With “How can my poor heart be glad” 480
CCC. To the same. With “Ca’ the yowes to the knowes” 481
CCCI. To the same. With “Sae flaxen were her ringlets.” Epigram to Dr. Maxwell. 481
CCCII. To the same. The charms of Miss Lorimer. “O saw ye my dear, my Phely,” &c. 482
CCCIII. To the same. Ritson’s Scottish Songs. Love and song 483
CCCIV. To the same. English songs. The air of “Ye banks and braes o’ bonnie Doon” 484
CCCV. To the same. With “O Philly, happy be the day,” and “Contented wi’ little” 485
CCCVI. To the same. With “Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy” 486
CCCVII. To Peter Miller, jun., Esq. Excise. Perry’s offer to write for the Morning Chronicle 487
CCCVIII. To Mr. Samuel Clarke, jun. A political and personal quarrel. Regret 487
CCCIX. To Mr. Thomson. With “Now in her green mantle blithe nature arrays” 487
1795.
CCCX. To Mr. Thomson. With “For a’ that and a’ that” 488
CCCXI. To the same. Abuse of Ecclefechan 488
CCCXII. To the same. With “O stay, sweet warbling woodlark, stay,” and “The groves of sweet myrtle” 488
CCCXIII. To the same. With “How cruel are the parents” and “Mark yonder pomp of costly fashion” 489
CCCXIV. To the same. Praise of David Allan’s “Cotter’s Saturday Night” 489
CCCXV. To the same. With “This is no my ain Lassie.” Mrs. Riddel 489
CCCXVI. To Mr. Thomson. With “Forlorn, my love, no comfort near” 490
CCCXVII. To the same. With “Last May a braw wooer,” and “Why tell thy lover” 490
CCCXVIII. To Mrs. Riddel. A letter from the grave 490
CCCXIX. To the same. A letter of compliment. “Anacharsis’ Travels” 491
CCCXX. To Miss Louisa Fontenelle. With a Prologue for her benefit-night 491
CCCXXI. To Mrs. Dunlop. His family. Miss Fontenelle. Cowper’s “Task” 492
CCCXXII. To Mr. Alexander Findlater. Excise schemes 492
CCCXXIII. To the Editor of the Morning Chronicle. Written for a friend. A complaint 493
CCCXXIV. To Mr. Heron, of Heron. With two political ballads 493
CCCXXV. To Mrs. Dunlop. Thomson’s Collection. Acting as Supervisor of Excise 494
CCCXXVI. To the Right Hon. William Pitt. Address of the Scottish Distillers 495
CCCXXVII. To the Provost, Bailies, and Town Council of Dumfries. Request to be made a freeman of the town 496
1796.
CCCXXVIII. To Mrs. Riddel. “Anarcharsis’ Travels.” The muses 496
CCCXXIX. To Mrs. Dunlop. His ill-health. 497
CCCXXX. To Mr. Thomson. Acknowledging his present to Mrs. Burns of a worsted shawl 497
CCCXXXI. To the same. Ill-health. Mrs. Hyslop. Allan’s etchings. Cleghorn 497
CCCXXXII. To the same. “Here’s a health to ane I loe dear” 498
CCCXXXIII. To the same. His anxiety to review his songs, asking for copies 498
CCCXXXIV. To Mrs. Riddel. His increasing ill-health 498
CCCXXXV. To Mr. Clarke, acknowledging money and requesting the loan of a further sum 499
CCCXXXVI. To Mr. James Johnson. The Scots Musical Museum. Request for a copy of the collection 499
CCCXXXVII. To Mr. Cunningham. Illness and poverty, anticipation of death 499
CCCXXXVIII. To Mr. Gilbert Burns. His ill-health and debts 500
CCCXXXIX. To Mr. James Armour. Entreating Mrs. Armour to come to her daughter’s confinement 500
CCCXL. To Mrs. Burns. Sea-bathing affords little relief 500
CCCXLI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Her friendship. A farewell 501
CCCXLII. To Mr. Thomson. Solicits the sum of five pounds. “Fairest Maid on Devon Banks” 501
CCCXLIII. To Mr. James Burness. Soliciting the sum of ten pounds 501
CCCXLIV. To James Gracie, Esq. His rheumatism, &c. &c.—his loss of appetite 502
Remarks on Scottish Songs and Ballads 502
The Border Tour 522
The Highland Tour 527
Burns’s Assignment of his Works 530
Glossary 531