Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

I am truly happy to hear that the "little floweret" is blooming so fresh and fair, and that the "mother plant" is rather recovering her drooping head. Soon and well may her "cruel wounds" be healed! I have written thus far with a good deal of difficulty. When I get a little abler you shall hear farther from,

Madam, yours, &c.

No.

No. CXI.

To LADY W. M. CONSTABLE,

Acknowledging a present of a valuable snuff-box, with a fine picture of MARY Queen of SCOTS on the Lid.

MY LADY,

NOTHING less than the unlucky accident of having lately broken my right arm, could have prevented me the moment I received your ladyship's elegant present by Mrs. Miller, from returning you my warmest and most grateful. acknowledgments. I assure your ladyship, L shall set it apart: the symbols of religion shall only be more sacred. In the moment of poetic composition, the box shall be my inspiring ge nius. When I would breathe the comprehensive wish of benevolence for the happiness of others, I shall recollect your ladyship; when I would interest my fancy in the distresses incident to húmanity, I shall remember the unfortunate Mary.

No.

No. CXII.

To MRS. GRAHAM of FINTRY.

MADAM,

WHETHER it is that the story of our Mary Queen of Scots, has a peculiar effect on the feelings of a poet, or whether I have in the inclosed, ballad, succeeded beyond my usual poetic success, I know not; but it has pleased me beyond any effort of my muse for a good while past; on that account I inclose it particularly to you. It is true, the purity of my motives may be suspected. I am already deeply indebted to Mr. G's goodness; and what, in the usual ways of men, is of infinitely greater importance, Mr. G. can do me service of the utmost importance in time to come. I was born a poor dog; and however I may occasionally pick a better bone than I used to do, I know I must live and die poor: but I will indulge the flattering faith that my poetry will considerably out

live my poverty; and without any fustian affectation of spirit, I can promise and affirm, that it must be no ordinary craving of the latter shall ever make me do any thing injurious to the honest fame of the former. Whatever may be my failings, for failings are a part of human nature, may they ever be those of a generous heart, and an independent mind! It is no fault of mine that I was born to dependence; nor is it Mr. G's chiefest praise that he can com mand influence; but it is his merit to bestow, not only with the kindness of a brother, but with the politeness of a gentleman; and I trust it shall be mine, to receive with thankfulness, and remember with undiminished gratitude.

No.

No. CXIII.

From the Rev. G. BAIRD.

SIR,

London, 8th February, 1791.

I TROUBLE you with this letter to inform you that I am in hopes of being able very soon to bring to the press a new edition (long since talked of) of Michael Bruce's Poems. The profits of the edition are to go to his mothera woman of eighty years of age-poor and helpless. The poems are to be published by subscription; and it may be possible, I think, to make out a 2s. 6d. or 3s. volume, with the assistance of a few hitherto unpublished verses, which I have got from the mother of the poet.

But the design I have in view in writing to you, is not merely to inform you of these facts,

« PredošláPokračovať »