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CAPTAIN GRAHAM MOORE,

OF THE ROYAL NAVY

To this last undertaking an editor and biographer was wanting, and Mr. Syme's modesty opposed a barrier to his assuming an office, for which he was in other respects peculiarly qualified. On this subject he consulted me! and with the hope of surmounting his objections, I offered him my assistance, but in vain. Endeavours were used to procure an editor in other quarters without effect. The task was beset with considerable difficulties, and men of established reputation naturally declined an undertaking to the

WHEN YOU were stationed on our coast about twelve years ago, you first recommended to my particular notice the poems of the Ayrshire ploughman, whose works, published for the benefit of his widow and children, I now present to you. In a distant region of the world, whither the service of your country has carried you, you will, I know, receive with kindness this proof of my regard; not perhaps without some surprise on finding that I have been engaged in editing these volumes, nor without some curiosity to know how I was qualified for such an undertak-performance of which, it was scarcely to ing. These points I will briefly explain. be hoped that general approbation could be obtained by any exertion of judgment or temper.

Having occasion to make an excursion to the county of Dumfries, in the summer of 1792, I had there an opportunity To such an office, my place of residence, of seeing and conversing with Burns. It my accustomed studies, and my occupahas been my fortune to know some mentions, were certainly little suited; but of high reputation in literature, as well as the partiality of Mr. Syme thought me in in public life; but never to meet any one other respects not unqualified; and his who, in the course of a single interview, solicitations, joined to those of our excelcommunicated to me so strong an impres-lent friend and relation, Mrs. Dunlop, and sion of the force and versatility of his talents. After this I read the poems then published with greater interest and attention, and with a full conviction that, extraordinary as they are, they afford but an inadequate proof of the powers of their unfortunate author.

of other friends of the family of the poet, I have not been able to resist. To remove difficulties which would otherwise have been insurmountable, Mr. Syme and Mr. Gilbert Burns made a journey to Liverpool, where they explained and arranged the manuscripts, and selected such as seemed worthy of the press. From Four years afterwards, Burns termi- this visit I derived a degree of pleasure nated his career. Among those whom which has compensated much of my lathe charms of his genius had attached to bour. I had the satisfaction of renewing him, was one with whom I have been my personal intercourse with a much bound in the ties of friendship from early valued friend, and of forming an acquaintlife-Mr. John Syme of Ryedale. This ance with a man, closely allied to Burns gentleman, after the death of Burns, pro-in talents as well as in blood, in whose moted with the utmost zeal a subscription future fortunes the friends of virtue will for the support of the widow and children, not, I trust, be uninterested. to which their relief from immediate distress is to be ascribed; and in conjunc- The publication of these volumes has tion with other friends of this virtuous been delayed by obstacles which these and destitute family he projected the pub-gentlemen could neither remove nor forelication of these volumes for their benefit, see, and which it would be tedious to by which the return of want might be pre- enumerate. At length the task is finishvented or prolonged. ed. If the part which I have taken shall

serve the interest of the family, and re- | phalanx, or of the Roman legion, and which has, lately made the shores of Europe and of Africa resound with the shouts of victory, from the Texel to the Tagus, and from the Tagus to the Nile!

ceive the approbation of good men, I shall have my recompense. The errors into which I have fallen are not, I hope, very important, and they will be easily accounted for by those who know the circumstances under which this undertaking has been performed. Generous minds will receive the posthumous works of Burns with candour, and even partiality, as the remains of an unfortunate man of genius, published for the benefit of his family as the stay of the widow and the hope of the fatherless.

To secure the suffrages of such minds, all topics are omitted in the writings, and avoided in the life of Burns, that have a tendency to awaken the animosity of party. In perusing the following volumes no offence will be received, except by those to whom even the natural erect aspect of genius is offensive; characters that will scarcely be found among those who are educated to the profession of arms. Such nen do not court situations of danger, or tread in the paths of glory. They will not be found in your service, which, in our own days, emulates on another element the superior fame of the Macedonian

The works of Burns will be received favourably by one who stands in the foremost rank of this noble service, and who deserves his station. On the land or on the sea, I know no man more capable of judging of the character or of the writings of this original genius. Homer, and Shakspeare, and Ossian, cannot always occupy your leisure. These volumes may sometimes engage your attention, while the steady breezes of the tropic swell your sails, and in another quarter of the earth charm you with the strains of nature, or awake in your memory the scenes of your early days. Suffer me to hope that they may sometimes recall to your mind the friend who addresses you, and who bids you-most affectionatelyadieu!

J. CURRIE.

Liverpool, 1st May, 1800

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7. Dr. Blacklock to the Rev. G. Lowrie. Encouraging the bard to visit Edinburgh and print a new edition of his poems there,

8. From the Rev. Mr. Lowrie. Advice to the Bard how to conduct himself in Edinburgh,

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9. To Mr. Chalmers. Praise of Miss Burnet of Monboddo,

10.

11.

12.

Narrative of his infancy and youth, by himself, 10.-Narrative on the same subject, by his brother, and by Mr. Murdoch of London, his teacher, 16.-Other particulars of Burns while resident in Ayrshire, 27.-History of Burns while resident in Edinburgh, including Letters to the Editor from Mr. Stewart and Dr. Adair, 35.-History of Burns while on the farm of Ellisland, in Dumfries-shire 51.-History of Burns while 13. resident at Dumfries 54.-His last Illness, Death and Character, with general Reflections,

Memoir respecting Burns, by a Lady, Criticism on the Writings of Burns, including observations on poetry in the Scottish dialect, and some remarks on Scottish literature,

No.

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GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTERS.

58 14.

ib.

98

ib.

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67

15.

To Dr. Moore,

70

16.

Page.

91

92

1. TO MR. JOHN MURDOCH, Burns's former teacher; giving an account of his present studies, and temper of mind, Extracts from MSS. Observations on various subiects,

From Dr. Moore. Sends the Bard a present of his "View of Society and Manners," &c.

17. To the Earl of Glencairn. Grateful acknowledgments of kindness,

18. To the Earl of Buchan. In reply to a letter of advice,

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19. Extract concerning the monument

ib.

101

102

ib.

103

ib.

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108

marriage,

125

55.

To the Same.

Reflections on human

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ceding,

28. From Dr. Moore. Criticism and good

advice, 29. To Mr. Walker, at Blair of Athole. Enclosing the Humble Petition of Bruar water to the Duke of Athole, 30. To Mr. G. Burns. Account of his Tour through the Highlands,.

31. From Mr. Ramsay of Ochtertyre. Enclosing Latin Inscriptions with Translations, and the Tale of Omeron Cameron,

32. Mr. Ramsay to the Rev. W. Young. Introducing our Poet,

33. Mr. Ramsay to Dr. Blacklock. Anecdotes of Scottish Songs for our Poet,

34. From Mr. John Murdoch in London. In answer to No. I.

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110

111

To Mrs. Dunlop, at Moreham Mains, 129 To ****. Defence of the Family of the Stuarts. Baseness of insulting fallen greatness,

113 60. To Mrs. Dunlop. With the soldier's song "Go fetch to me a pint of wine,"

ib. 61. To Miss Davies, a young Lady, who

had heard he had been making a ballad on her, enclosing that ballad, From Mr. G. Burns. Reflections suggested by New Year's Day,

ib.

131

114

ib.

62.

132

ib.

63.

To Mrs. Dunlop. Reflections suggest. ed by New Year's Day,

ib.

115 64. To Dr. Moore.

Account of his situ

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41. To Mrs. Dunlop. Written on recovery from sickness,

No. 67.

ib.

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ib.

42. Extract to the Same. Defence of him

70. To Dr. Moore. 71. To Mr. Hill.

Enclosing a poem, 137 Apostrophe to Fru

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138

ib.

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139

39. To, Dalrymple, Esq. Congratulation on his becoming a poet. Praise of Lord Glencairn,

40. To Sir John Whitefoord. Thanks for friendship. Reflections on the poetical character,

69. To the Rev. P. Carfrae. In answer to

having composed the first stanza of the Chevalier's Lament, .

45. From Mr. Cleghorn. In reply to the above. The Chevalier's Lament in

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Thanks for

122

49. Extract to Mrs. Dunlop. Remarks on Dryden's Virgil, and Pope's Odyssey,

72. To Mrs. Dunlop. With a sketch of an epistle in verse to the Right Hon. C. J. Fox,

73. To Mr. Cunningham. With the first draught of the poem on a wounded Hare,

74. From Dr. Gregory. Criticism of the poem on a wounded Hare, 75. To Mr. M'Auley of Dumbarton. Account of his situation,

76. To Mrs. Dunlop. Reflections on Re

ligion,

77. From Dr. Moore. Good advice, 78. From Miss J. Little. A poetess in humble life, with a poem in praise

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b. 80. To Mr. ******. In answer,

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