have Cowper's poems and a family bi-

M.

ble

XLI.

Page.

To Mr. W. Nicol, Ellisland, Feb. 9,

1790. A dead mare-A theatrical com-

pany-"Peg Nicholson."

XLII. To Mr. Murdoch, Teacher of French,

London. Apology for negligence-His

brother William in London-Venera-

tion for his father-Mr. Murdoch's in-

teresting note

XLIII. To Crauford Tait, Esq. Edinburgh.

Ellisland, Oct. 15, 1790. Introduces

Mr. Wm. Duncan of Ayrshire-

Gives his character, and recom-

mends him to Mr. Tait's good of-

fices-The power the fortunate en-

joy to dispense happiness!-Repeats

his request in the style of the world

-His own condition

XLIV. To

XLV.

XLVI.

Imprecations

To Mr. Alexander Dalziel, Fac-

tor, Findlayston. Ellisland, March 19,

1791. Enclosing a poem-Laments
the death of his noble patron, Lord
Glencairn-begs to know the day of
his interment

To Mr. Thomas Sloan. Ellisland,
Sept. 1, 1791. Favorite quotations on
fortitude and perseverance-Roup,
or Auction, at which his dogs got
drunk by attending the guests

XLVII. To Francis Grose, Esq. F. A. S.

1792. Introducing Professor Dugald

Stewart, whose characteristic features

he pourtrays

XLVIII.

To the same. Three traditions-one

of them the foundation of his Tam o'

Shanter

XLIX. To R. Graham, Esq. Fintray, Dec.

68

71

73

75

76

78

79

80

No.

L.

LI.

LII.

LIII.

LIV.

LV.

LVI.

LVII.

LVIII.

1792. Pathetic exculpation of himself

from the charge of disaffection to Go-

vernment-adjures Mr. G. to save him

from impending ruin.

To Mr. T. Clarke, Edinburgh. July

16, 1792. Humorous invitation to

come and teach music in the coun-

try

To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. 31, 1792. Se-

rious Thoughts-Congratulates her

recovery from sickness-Suffers from

occasional hard drinking-resolves to

leave it off-Excellent remark of

Bloomfield-Forswears politics

To Patrick Miller, Esq. of Dalswin-

ton. April, 1793. With a copy of a new

edition of his

poems

Page.

To John Francis Erskine, Esq. of

Mar. Dumfries, 13th April, 1793. Gra-

titude for his patronage and friendship
-escapes dismission from the excise
-His sentiments on CONSTITUTION
and REFORM. Glorious assertion of
his independence-A pathetic injunc-
tion

To Mr. Robert Ainslie. April 26,

1793. The merry devil Spunkie his
tutelar genius-Thoughts on scho-
larcraft-A tailor's progress in theo-
logy

To Miss K-

-Force of beauty

on Poets-A benediction

To Lady Glencairn. Thanks for her

letter-Gratitude-Advantages of his

business in the excise-Turns his

thoughts to the drama

To the Earl of Buchan. With a co-

py of "Bruce to his Troops."

To the Earl of Glencairn. Remem-

84

85

86

88

89

93

95

96

98

No.

Page.

LIX.

LX.

LXI.

LXH.

LXIII.

LXIV.

LXV.

LXVI.

LXVII.

brance of his noble brother-Offers

a copy of the new edition of his po-

ems

To Dr. Anderson. Declines assisting

in his purposed publication-Curses

the Excise

To Mrs. Dunlop. Castle Douglas, 25th

June, 1794. Il health-Fragment of a
poem on Liberty

-

99

100

- ibid.

To Mr. James Johnson. Sends forty
one songs for the fifth volume of the
Museum-Lord Balmerino's dirk-
Thanks for the Volunteer ballad
To Miss Fontenelle. Accompanying

a prologue to be spoken on her bene-

fit

To Peter Miller, Jun. Esq. of Dals-
winton. Declines an engagement in
the Morning Chronicle-offers occa-
sional contributions

To Gavin Hamilton, Esq. Dumfries.
Congratulations on returning health
-Cautions against drinking-Father

Auld

To Mr. Samuel Clarke, Jun. Dum-

fries. Sunday morning. Deep concern

respecting a quarrel-a toast the cause

of it

To Mr. Alexander Findlater, Super-
visor of Excise, Dumfries. Schemes—
Wishes-Hopes

To the Editors of the Morning Chro-
nicle. Dumfries. On misdelivery of a pa-
per containing the Marquis of Lans-
downe's Speech

LXVIII. To Col. W. Dunbar. Is still alive,
fulfilling one great end of his exist-
ence- -Compliments of the season in
the bard's own style

102

103

104.

105

107

109

110

No.

Page.

LXIX. To Mr. Heron of Heron. 1794 or

1795. Political Ballads-explains his

situation and expectancies in the Ex-

cise, but disclaims any wish to hook his

dependence on Mr. Heron's benevo-

lence

LXX.

To the Right Hon. W. Pitt. Address

in behalf of the Scots Distillers-

Speaks to him the language of truth-

Reflections on the selfish nature of

Man-Advises him to spurn flattery

-Hails Mr. P's passage to the

Realms of Ruin-Compares Mr. P.

to a wide spreading tree cut down by

one from Heaven-Deplores the ruin

of Scotland, hurt by the excise laws

-Ironical consolations for the hour of

Adversity

LXXI. To the Magistrates of Dumfries. Pe-

titions to be put on the footing of a

real freeman as far as relates to the

privilege they enjoy of having their

children educated gratis

LXXII. To Mr. James Johnson, Edinburgh.

Dumfries, 4th July, 1796. Enquires

after the Museum-Anxious and pa-

thetic forebodings on his approaching

dissolution. "Hope the cordial of the

human heart."

112

114

118

119

Strictures on Scottish Songs and Ballads

An account of James Tytler. (Note)

Common-place Book, Journals, &c.

Fragments, Miscellaneous Remarks, &c.

Page

121

192

197

225

LETTERS FROM WILLIAM BURNS.

No.

I. To Mr. Robert Burns, Ellisland.

Longtown, 15th Feb. 1789

-

Page.

240

III.

To the same. London, 21st March,
1790

243

IV.

To the same. From Mr. Murdoch,

London, 14th Sept. 1790, giving him

an account of the death of his Brother

William

245

II. To the Rev. John M'Math, 17th

Sept. 1785, enclosing a copy of Holy

Willie's Prayer

III. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq. Mauchline.

Recommending a Boy

IV.

V.

-

To Mr. M'Adam, of Criagen-Gillan.

In answer to an obliging Letter he sent

Burns in the commencement of his

poetic career

-

To Capt. Riddel, Glenriddel. Ellis-

land-Extempore lines on returning

a newspaper

251

254

256

257