As it may be interesting to the reader to know something of the fortunes of the family of Burns, the following information is transcribed from a note appended by Mr. Gilbert Burns, the brother of the poet, to the last edition of Dr. Currie's "Works of Burns." "The profits of these volumes, so judiciously selected, and advantageously introduced to the world, by Dr. Currie, together with an additional subscription by some gentlemen in India, transmitted to Sir James Shaw, of London, (the indefatigable friend of Burns' family) increased by a very handsome addition from himself and some friends, in London, and vested in the funds, in the name of the magistrates of Ayr, as Trustees for the family, afforded the means of maintaining and educating the boys, and fitting them out for their several destinations, and leaving as much as produced a moderate annuity for the support of Mrs. Burns.

"Of the sons of the poet, Francis Wallace, the second, died in 1803; Robert, the eldest, was, in 1804, placed as a clerk in the Stamp Office, London, where he still continues.

"William Nicol, the third son, and James Glencairn, the youngest, went out in 1811 and 1812 as cadets in the India Company's service, where they still remain, William on the Madras, and James on the Bengal, Establishments. The conduct of all these young men has, hitherto, been creditable to themselves, and pleasing to those who take an interest in them. By the kindness of the Marquis of Hastings, James, three years ago, got a good appointment in the commercial department; and the first use he made of his good fortune, was to settle on his mo

ther an annuity, perhaps, more commensurate to his feelings of maternal regard, than to the selfish maxims of worldly prudence."

Let it be added, to the honor of a gentleman, who is a native of the town of Dumfries, and whose liberality to its institutions, and kindness to every one connected with it, are but incidental features of a generosity of disposition, never restrained by local limits where real good is to be done, that the cadetships, thus well bestowed on the two younger sons of Burns, were the unsolicited and spontaneous gift of Thomas Reid, Esq. present Chairman of the Honorable the Board of Directors of the East India Company.

Engraved on Steel The Portraits by W. T. FRY, and the Ornamental part by CHARLES HEATH, from a design by II CORBOULD

LIVES

OF

EMINENT SCOTSMEN.

Poets.

JAMES THE FIFTH.

Redoubted roy, your ragment* I have red,
Proclaiming you the prince of poetry.

SIR DAV. LINDSAY.

PRINCE of the roving eye, and winning tongue! most gallant and generous of knights!"gude man o' Ballangeigh!" "KING OF THE POOR!" Immortal honor to thy name! Although short was thy term of being, and melancholy its end, yet splendid as the meteors was its course; in life as in death thou wert all a Stuart.

When the fatal field of Flodden numbered among its victims the chivalrous James the Fourth, his suc