of Burns, and whether any bookseller has been applied to in regard to purchasing or publishing what posthumous things may appear; because these points are highly important to his family and the public; and (as I said before) such time as I can spare, and such talents as I possess, may be commanded in this service. I have some connections with the London booksellers, and I am positive I can command a much larger sum from them than can be had in Edinburgh.

That an authorised biographer should be fixed soon, seems to me the more necessary, because it is to be feared that volunteers may appear, attracted by the popularity of a subject which they may deform and disgrace.

"But I have not the least wish to step out of my way on this occasion, if this business is already settled, and in proper hands; and therefore I communicate my offer to you only, and in confidence. Indeed, if I were to be employed, I should wish it to be unknown.— In haste, I am, my dear Syme, Yours most truly,

"MY DEAR SYME,-If I had any mercy in my nature, I ought now to spare you on the subject of Burns; but you will see that my craving appetite is not yet completely satisfied, though the object of my writing at present is rather to convey thanks for what you have done than to make fresh solicitations. Why will you make me apologies, and tell me of interruptions? Your letters are excellent; they are, in the very highest degree, interesting; they are, in one word, equal to the subject on which they are written. Accept my warm acknowledgments for all your trouble; and let your benevolence be gratified by the high pleasure it has conveyed.

"When I had the presumption to offer myself as the biographer of Burns, I acted under an impulse that dies away within me ; and I was under the mistake that this task was to be undertaken by the lady to whom we have alluded. It seemed to me that, setting aside the disadvantage of little personal acquaintance, I was fitter for the task than a lively female, who, though she might feel the brilliancy, might not be able to sustain the force or support the weight, of his character.

"In proposing to write the life of Burns, I was not aware that Dugald Stewart was likely to undertake that office-certainly a man as well qualified as any in the Island, and to whose superior genius I bow. I trust that nothing will prevent his engaging in the business; and if my solicitations with him can be of any use, I am ready to employ them. The life and personal character will

not require to be drawn at great length; and the inimitable letter you sent me of Burns's own will supply a great part of the materials. The critique on his writings is a more difficult task; and it will afford scope to great talents. One principal subject of curiosity to Englishmen and Englishmen will be very curious as to Burns --is the nature of his education, and the degree of his information. Some happy strokes of national character and national manners might be displayed in satisfying this curiosity; and being acquainted with the manners of both countries, the peculiarities of the life of a Scottish peasant are better known to a man in my situation than, perhaps, to natives who have never lived in England.

"I, however, altogether renounce the task of his biography ; though, if I have leisure, I shall, possibly, amuse myself with some criticisms on his writings, which you shall see.

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Cadell and Strahan were both here a few days ago; they breakfasted with Roscoe, and I am sorry the occasion was slipped of speaking to them as to Burns's poems.

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'My view in offering to write Burns's biography. &c., was, first, to serve the family, if I could; and secondly, to rescue it from hands still more unequal. Fame and profit were out of the question; and, indeed, I should have desired to remain unknown.

In such an undertaking, my business would have been to act under the direction of the executors, and to have submitted everything to them before it was printed-or rather, indeed, to you. My chief difficulty would have been to find time requisite for a task so important and critical; and I rejoice that it is in so much better hands. The criticisms that such an undertaking would have brought upon me would not have weighed with me much. I have already sustained, and I hope surmounted, the attacks of bigotry and malice; and I despise, or at least I do not dread, the renewal of these attacks.

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However, the life of Burns should be written, for the sake of his family, with all due regard to the prejudices of the world; and so written, I see little that his biographer has to fear.

"I will speak to you seriously and conscientiously; for at this distance, and situated as we are, it would be abominable to deal in compliments. No man is so fit to be Burns's biographer as yourself; and I earnestly recommend you to undertake the task, if Mr Stewart declines it. If you do, I will put my remarks and criticisms entirely into your hands; and Roscoe will give you

his also. If this do not meet your approbation, which, however, it ought to do, you may command us in any way you think for the good of the family; other wish or interest we have none.-Yours most faithfully,

"JAMES CURRIE,"

1

September, 1796. "MY DEAR SYME,-I really know not what to say to your letter of the 31st, and this has prevented me answering it as early as you might expect. I hope you have not mentioned my rash proposal, and that my supposed willingness has had no share in Mr Stewart's declining the task you allude to. I have told you my anxiety and uneasiness on the occasion, and will now explain myself fully.

My objections (which you will justly say ought to have been considered first) arise from various considerations. You talk of your engagements. I can hardly suppose they are equal to mine; every day of my life I am, at least, four hours on horseback, and two on foot; and this bodily exertion is attended with incessant exertion of mind. My only leisure is from two to four, after my forenoon calls are over, and an hour or two in the evening. But at such times I am generally much fatigued, and when I attempt to write after my morning calls, as at present, I am obliged to stimulate my jaded nerves by large quantities of coffee. The little leisure I have finds me almost constantly disposed to sleep, and without coffee I am ready to yawn and tumble back on my sofa.

"There are various demands on this leisure, imperfect as it is. My family, my medical consultations, and my daily correspondence must be attended to. But I have had for some time a medical publication on hand, which has lingered most unaccountably, owing to my thoughts wandering into politics, and into various other collateral points that need not be mentioned. Now I find there is a danger of my being anticipated in this publication, and perhaps robbed of some honest reputation, if I delay it much longer. I have, therefore, begun seriously to arrange my papers within these few days, and have spoken to a printer; and I can hardly expect, if Burns's life, &c., is called for immediately, to get forward with both publications at once. You see, then, how I stand; and if either Mr Stewart, Mr M'Kenzie, or any other competent hand has been looked to, and can be obtained for this office, I would certainly wish to decline it. Here is the simple truth. You will not suspect me of any pitiful affectation. But if no such can be procured; if you will not undertake the work yourself as a principal, allowing me to be your aide-de-camp; and if you, and whoever else act for the family, really think I can serve it, by doing my best as a biographer and critic on the Scottish Bard, I will not draw back from any expectation I have excited.

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Before, however, even on these suppositions, I undertake the business, I wish to mention two or three particulars, that we may see how far our notions of the manner in which it ought to be executed coincide. My idea is, that the life and critique alluded to ought

to be prefixed to his posthumous publications, and that the whole should be on the plan of Johnson's Lives of the Poets, viz., a narrative of the life, and then an appreciation of the writings. For the narrative, the MS. you sent me will furnish a principal part of the materials, and it may be inserted altogether, omitting, however, a few particulars that might give pain to living characters; or it may be quoted occasionally, as authority for the particulars mentioned, so as to embrace the whole. And such additional information may be collected in Ayrshire, and from yourself, as may illustrate the narrative in the earlier parts, and lengthen it out to his death. In all this there will be no great difficulty; but some delicacy will be required in touching his faults and irregularities. In regard to the critique, that will not only apply to the poems already published, but to the letters, &c., now to be brought into light; and thus, the biographer must have these before him. Of the poems already published, a sort of arrangement may be pursued as they are humorous, tender, or sublime; and they will afford room for some striking observations. Of what are yet unseen no notion can be formed. On this part of the business my friend Mr Roscoe will, I hope, do something, the remarks of a man of his talents and taste, himself an excellent poet, will be interesting; and the more, as he never saw Burns or his country.

"It strikes me, however, that there will be some difficulty in transmitting the papers that are to be printed to Liverpool for perusal; and this circumstance, among many others, points out the impropriety of my being employed on the business.

"You must give me a notion what is to be printed, and where ; and you must tell me who act on this occasion besides yourself, for this poor family.

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Here we have an excellent printer, but you would not think of printing his works in Liverpool ? I suppose that will be done in Dumfries or Edinburgh.

"I imagine it will be thought prudent to avoid all political allusions in the life.

"If it extend nearly to the same length as that of Milton in Johnson, I should suppose that will be what is expected.

"I put all these questions, the better to compare our ideas, and I will thank you to notice them in order, with your first leisure, that a final decision may be made.

"On the whole, I think you will agree in my opinion, that the task will be more conveniently and better executed in Edinburgh, where, I hope, some men of letters will be found to discharge this duty to departed genius and to his country. The decision, after what I have said, shall be with you and Mrs Burns, or whoever act for her. If you really and truly, under all these objections,

wish for my undertaking the task we talk of, I will not, as I said before, withhold my assistance, or my best exertions; but, in the meantime, I do not wish to have my name mentioned in the business.

"I hear with pleasure that the salary enjoyed by Mr Burns is settled on his widow. This I have from Colonel Dunlop, of the Ayrshire Fencible Cavalry; it has made me relax in soliciting subscriptions. Mr Roscoe has written a beautiful monody on Burns, which I will send you soon.

"I wish you would tell me whether you are always as busy as you say; and whether we may not hope to see you here this autumn. If you could come soon, we might settle many things with advantage in a personal conference.

"I am going to talk over the whole of this business with Roscoe. He has promised to accompany me into Scotland when I next go down; and you will be pleased with his manners, as well as with his conversation.—I am, in haste, my dear Syme, Yours always, JAMES CURRIE,"

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Liverpool, 16th September, 1796.

"MY DEAR SYME,-This is the last letter I shall write to you at present on the subject of Burns; for we now understand each other perfectly.

As the biography and criticism will not be wanted for some time, I can have no hesitation in undertaking it, provided a better hand does not seem likely to be procured, and that, under all the circumstances of the case, Cunningham, &c., wish it. The truth is, I could not well have executed it if it had been wanted immediately; unless, indeed, it had been important to the fatherless children, for whom I would certainly be willing to make some sacrifices. As it will not be required for ten or twelve months, I can accomplish it, as I said before, if it be wished.

"I am glad that our friend Cunningham is to have the papers in his charge; I know his excellent heart. He will, of course, be very cautious whom he trusts with a sight of the naked effusions of poor Burns; for there are many that would, from mere curosity, wish to inspect them; and several who, I fear, would be glad of an opportunity of finding in them food for their malevolence.

"If I am to be the biographer, it will not be necessary to send me everything he has written; but it would be proper to convey to me a complete specimen, at least, of his letter-writing, &c., that I may see his style and character, as far as his correspondence displays it.

As to his character as a Poet (the principal point) that must be chiefly collected from his printed poems. The materials of his private character are very ample in your letters, and the incidents