to a friend, " in all the combinations of beauty,
grace, and goodness, the Creator has formed,
since Milton's Eve on the first day of her ex-
istence."* In his Address to Edinburgh, she
is celebrated in a strain of still greater eleva-
tion:

"Fair Burnet strikes th' adoring eye,
Heaven's beauties on my fancy shine;
I see the Sire of Love on high,

surveying. All his other attainments were entirely his own. "The last time I saw him was during the winter, 1788-89;* when he passed an evening with me at Drumsheugh, in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, where I was then living. My friend Mr Alison was the only other in company. I never saw him more agreeable or interesting. A present which Mr Alison sent him afterwards of his Essays on Taste, drew from Burns a letter of acknowledgment, which I remember to have read with some degree of surprise at the distinct conception hewards in the flower of her youth. Our bard appeared from it to have formed, of the several principles of the doctrine of association. When I saw Mr Alison in Shropshire last autumn, I forgot to inquire if the letter be still in existence. If it is, you may easily procure it, by means of our friend Mr Houlbrooke."+

THE scene that opened on our bard in Edinburgh was altogether new, and in a variety of other respects highly interesting, especially to one of his disposition of mind. To use an expression of his own, he found himself "suddenly translated from the veriest shades of life," into the presence, and, indeed, into the society of a number of persons, previously known to him by report as of the highest distinction in his country, and whose characters it was natural for him to examine with no common curiosity.

And own his works indeed divine!"

This lovely woman died a few years after

expressed his sensibility on that occasion, in verses addressed to her inemory.t

Among the men of rank and fashion, Burns was particularly distinguished by James, Earl of Glencairn. On the motion of this nobleman, the Caledonian Hunt, (an association of the principal of the nobility and gentry of Scotland,) extended their patronage to our bard, and admitted him to their gay orgies. He repaid their notice by a dedication of the enlarged and improved edition of his poems, in which he has celebrated their patriotism and independence in very animated terms.

"I congratulate my country that the blood of her ancient heroes runs uncontaminated; and that, from your courage, knowledge, and public spirit, she may expect protection, wealth, and liberty. May corrup

tion shrink at your kindling indignant glance; and may tyranny in the ruler, and licentiousness in the people, equally find in you an inexo

It is to be presumed that these generous sentiments, uttered at an era singularly propitious to independence of character and conduct, were favourably received by the persons to whom they were addressed, and that they were echoed from every bosom, as well as from that of the Earl of Glencairn. This accomplished nobleman, a scholar, a man of taste and sensibility, died soon afterwards. Had he lived, and had his power equalled his wishes, Scotland might still have exulted in the genius, instead of lamenting the early fate of her favourite bard.

From the men of letters, in general, his re-rable foe! ception was particularly flattering. The late Dr Robertson, Dr Blair, Dr Gregory, Mr Stewart, Mr Mackenzie, and Mr Fraser Tytler, may be mentioned in the list of those who perceived his uncommon talents, who acknowledged more especially his power in conversation, and who interested themselves in the cultivation of his genius. In Edinburgh, literary and fashionable society are a good deal mixed. Our bard was an acceptable guest in the gayest and most elevated circles, and frequently received from female beauty and elegance, those attentions above all others most grateful to him. At the table of Lord Monboddo he was a frequent guest; and while he enjoyed the society, and partook of the hospitalities of the venerable Judge, he experienced the kindness and condescension of his lovely and accomplished daughter. The singular beauty of this young lady was illumined by that happy expression of countenance which results from the union of cultivated taste and superior understanding, with the finest affections of the mind.

The influence of such attractions was not unfelt by our poet. "There has not been any thing like Miss Burnet," said he in a letter

f * Or rather 1789-90. I cannot speak with confidence with respect to the particular year. Some of my other dates may possibly require correction, as I keep no journal of such occurrences.

This letter will be found in page 65.

A taste for letters is not always conjoined with habits of temperance and regularity; and Edinburgh, at the period of which we speak, contained perhaps an uncommon proportion of men of considerable talents, devoted to social excesses, in which their talents were wasted and debased.

Burns entered into several parties of this description, with the usual vehemence of his char acter. His generous affections, his ardent eloquence, his brilliant and daring imagination, fitted him to be the idol of such associations. and accustoming himself to conversation of unlimited range, and to festive indulgences that scorned restraint, he gradually lost some portion of his relish for the more pure, but less poignant pleasures, to be found in the circles

of taste, elegance, and literature. The sudden | I hit on any thing clever, my own applause alteration in his habits of life operated on him will, in some measure, feast my vanity; and physically as well as morally. The humble fare begging Patroclus' and Achates' pardon, I of an Ayrshire peasant he had exchanged for think a lock and key a security, at least equal the luxuries of the Scottish metropolis, and to the bosom of any friend whatever. the effects of this change on his ardent consti- "My own private story likewise, my lovetution could not be inconsiderable. But what- adventures, my rambles; the frowns and smiles ever influence might be produced on his con- of fortune on my bardship; my poems and duct, his excellent understanding suffered no fragments, that must never see the light, shall correspondent debasement. He estimated his be occasionally inserted.-In short, never di friends and associates of every description at four shillings purchase so much friendship since their proper value, and appreciated his own confidence went first to market, or honesty was conduct with a precision that might give scope set up to sale. to much curious and melancholy reflection. He saw his danger, and at times formed resolutions to guard against it; but he had embarked on the tide of dissipation, and was borne along its

stream.

Of the state of his mind at this time, an authentic, though imperfect document remains, in a book which he procured in the spring of 1787, for the purpose, as he himself informs us, of recording in it whatever seemed worthy of observation. The following extracts may serve as a specimen :

"To these seemingly invidious, but too just ideas of human friendship, I would cheerfully make one exemption-the connexion between two persons of different sexes, when their interests are united and absorbed by the tie of love

When thought meets thought, ere from the lips it part,

And each warm wish springs mutual from the

heart.

There, confidence-confidence that exalts them the more in one another's opinion, that endears them the more to each other's hearts, unreservedly 'reigns and revels.' But this is not my lot; and, in my situation, if I am wise (which by the bye I have no great chance of being), my fate should be cast with the Psalmist's sparrow to watch alone on the house tops.'-Oh, the pity!

Edinburgh, April 9, 1787. "As I have seen a good deal of human life in Edinburgh, a great many characters which are new to one bred up in the shades of life as I have been, I am determined to take down my remarks on the spot. Gray observes in a letter to Mr Palgrave, that, half a word fixed upon, or near the spot, is worth a cart-load of recollection.' I don't know how it is with the world in general, but with me, making my remarks is by no means a solitary pleasure. I want some one to laugh with me, some one to be grave with me, some one to please me, and help my discrimination, with his or her own ́remark, and at times, no doubt, to admire my acuteness and penetration. The world are so busied with selfish pursuits, ambition, vanity, interest, or pleasure, that very few think it worth their while to make any observation on what passes around them, except where that observation is a sucker, or branch of the darling plant they are rearing in their fancy. Nor am I sure, notwithstanding all the sentimental flights of novel-writers, and the sage philosophy of moralists, whether we are capable of so intimate and cordial a coalition of friendship, as that one man may pour out his bosom, his every thought and floating fancy, his very inmost soul, with unreserved confidence to another, without hazard of losing part of that respect which man deserves from man; or from the unavoidable imperfections attend- "The noble Ging human nature, of one day repenting his the soul here, because I dearly esteem, respect, confidence. and love him. He showed so much attention For these reasons I am determined to make-engrossing attention, one day, to the only these pages my confident. I will sketch every character that any way strikes me, to the best of my power, with unshrinking justice. I will insert anecdotes, and take down remarks, in the old law phrase, without feud or favour.-Where

"There are few of the sore evils under the sun give me more uneasiness and chagrin than the comparison how a man of genius, nay of avowed worth, is received every where, with the reception which a mere ordinary character, decorated with the trappings and futile distinc tions of fortune, meets. I imagine a man of abilities, his breast glowing with honest pride, conscious that men are born equal, still giving honour to whom honour is due; he meets, at a great man's table, a Squire something, or a Sir somebody; he knows the noble landlord, at heart, gives the bard, or whatever he is, a share of his good wishes, beyond, perhaps, any one at table; yet how will it mortify him to see a fellow, whose abilities would scarcely have made an eightpenny tailor, and whose heart is not worth three farthings, meet with atten tion and notice, that are withheld from the sor of genius and poverty?

has wounded me to

blockhead at table (the whole company consisted of his lordship, dunderpate, and myself), that I was within half a point of throwing down my gage of contemptuous defiance; but he shook my hand, and looked so bene

The intentions of the poet in procuring this book, so fully described by himself, were very imperfectly executed. He has inserted in it few or no incidents, but several observations and reflections, of which the greater part that are proper for the public eye, will be found interwoven in the volume of his letters. The most curious particulars in the book are the delineations of the characters he met with. These are not numerous; but they are chiefly of persons of distinction in the republic of letters, and nothing but the delicacy and respect due to living characters prevents us from committing them to the press. Though it appears that in his conversation he was sometimes disposed to sarcastic remarks on the men with whom he lived, nothing of this kind is discoverable in these more deliberate efforts of his understanding, which, while they exhibit great clearness of discrimination, manifest also the wish, as well as the power, to bestow high and generous praise.

to whom he was introduced. In the course of this tour he visited Mr Ainslie of Berrywell, the father of his companion; Mr Brydone, the celebrated traveller, to whom he carried a letter of introduction from Mr Mackenzie ; the Rev Dr Somerville of Jedburgh, the historian; Mr and Mrs Scott of Wauchope; Dr Elliot, physician, retired to a romantic spot on the banks of the Roole; Sir Alexander Don; Sir James Hall of Dunglass; and a great variety of other respectable characters. Every where the fame of the poet had spread before him, and every where he received the most hospitable and flattering attentions. At Jedburgh he continued several days, and was honoured by the magistrates with the freedom of their borough. The following may serve as a specimen of this tour, which the perpetual reference to living characters prevents our giving at large.

66

Saturday, May 6. Left Edinburgh-Lammer-muir hills, miserably dreary in general, but at times very picturesque.

Lanson-edge, a glorious view of the Merse. Reach Berrywell. The familymeeting with my compagnon de voyage, very charming; particularly the sister. "Sunday. Went to church at Dunse. Heard Dr Bowmaker.

66

Monday. Coldstream-glorious river Tweed-clear and majestic-fine bridge-dine at Coldstream with Mr Ainslie and Mr Foreman. Beat Mr Foreman in a dispute about Voltaire. Drink tea at Lennel-House with Mr and Mrs Brydone. Reception extremely flattering. Sleep at Coldstream.

"Tuesday. Breakfast at Kelso-charming situation of the town-fine bridge over the Tweed. Enchanting views and prospects on both sides of the river, especially on the Scotch side.

Low mar

kets, consequently low lands-magnificence of farmers and farm-houses. Come up the Teviot, and up the Jed to Jedburgh, to lie, and so wish myself good night.

Visit Roxburgh Palace-fine situation of it. Ruins of Roxburgh Castlea holly-bush growing where James the Second was accidently killed by the bursting of a canBy the new edition of his poems, Burns ac- non. A small old religious ruin and a fine quired a sum of money that enabled him not old garden planted by the religious, rooted out only to partake of the pleasures of Edinburgh, and destroyed by a Hottentot, a maitre d' hotel but to gratify a desire he had long entertained, of the Duke's !-Climate and soil of Berwickof visiting those parts of his native country, shire, and even Roxburghshire, superior to Ayrmost attractive by their beauty or their gran-shire—bad roads—turnip and sheep husbandry, deur; a desire which the return of summer na- their great improvements. turally revived. The scenery on the banks of the Tweed, and of its tributary streams strongly interested his fancy; and, accordingly, he left Edinburgh on the 6th of May, 1787, on a tour through a country so much celebrated in the rural songs of Scotland. He travelled on horseback, and was accompanied, during some part of his journey, by Mr Ainslie, now writer to the signet, a gentleman who enjoyed much of his friendship and of his confidence. Of this tour a journal remains, which, however, contains only occasional remarks on the scenery, and which is chiefly occupied with an account of the author's different stages, and with his observations on the various characters

"Wednesday. Breakfast with Mr Fair.

Charming romantic situation of Jedburgh, with gardens and orchards, intermingled among the houses and the ruins of a once magnificent cathedral. All the towns here have the appearance of old rude grandeur, but extremely idle.-Jed, a fine romantic little river. Dined with Capt. Rutherford, Jedburgh. Walked up the Jed with some ladies to be shown Love-lane, and Blackburn, two fairy scenes. Introduced to Mr Potts,

return to

writer, and to Mr Sommerville, the clergyman | and sisters. He had left them poor, and comof the parish, a man, and a gentleman, but sad-paratively friendless; he returned to them high ly addicted to punning.

opinions apparently opposite. I regret that I | after dinner, Awa, Uncos, or, Away with the nave preserved no memorabilia of their conversation, either on this or on other occasions, when I happened to meet them together. Many songs were sung; which I mention for the sake of observing, that when Burns was called on in his turn, he was accustomed, instead of singing, to recite one or other of his own shorter poems, with a tone and emphasis, which, though not correct or harmonious, were impressive and pathetic. This he did on the present occasion.