The four last songs with which you favoured for your perusal the only one I have yet got me, viz. Auld Rob Morris, Duncan Gray, from him, being for the fine air "Lord GreGalla Water, and Cauld Kail, are admirable. gory." The Scots verses printed with that air, Duncan is indeed a lad of grace, and his humour will endear him to every body.

The distracted lover in Auld Rob, and the nappy shepherdess in Galla Water, exhibit an excellent contrast; they speak from genuine feeling, and powerfully touch the heart.

are taken from the middle of an old ballad, called, The Lass of Lochroyan, which I do not admire. I have set down the air therefore as a creditor of yours. Many of the Jacobite songs are replete with wit and humour; might not the best of these be included in our volume of comic songs?

POSTSCRIPT,

FROM THE HON. A. ERSKINE.

The number of songs which I had originally in view was limited, but I now resolve to include every Scotch air and song worth singing, leaving none behind but mere gleanings, to which the publishers of omnegatherum are welcome. I would rather be the editor of a collection from which nothing could be taken away, than of one to which nothing could be added. We intend presenting the subscribers with two beautiful stroke engravings; the one characteristic of the plaintive, and the other of the lively songs; and I have Dr. Beattie's pro-me a perusal of your songs. Highland Mary is mise of an essay upon the subject of our na- most enchantingly pathetic, and Duncan Gray tional music, if his health will permit him to possesses native genuine humour: "spak o' write it. As a number of our songs have doubtless been called forth by particular events, or by the charms of peerless damsels, there must be many curious anecdotes relating to them.

The late Mr. Tytler of Woodhouselee, I believe, knew more of this than any body, for he joined to the pursuits of an antiquary, a taste for poetry, besides being a man of the world, and possessing an enthusias.n for music beyond most of his contemporaries. He was quite pleased with this plan of mine, for I may say, it has been solely managed by me, and we had several long conversations about it, when it was in embryo. If I could simply mention the name of the heroine of each song, and the incident which occasioned the verses, it would be gratifying. Pray, will you send me any information of this sort, as well with regard to your own songs, as the old ones?

To all the favourite songs of the plaintive or pastoral kind, will be joined the delicate accompaniments, &c. of Pleyel. To those of the comic or humorous class, I think accompaniments scarcely necessary; they are chiefly fitted for the conviviality of the festive board, and a tuneful voice, with a proper delivery of the words, renders them perfect. Nevertheless, to these I propose adding bass accompaniments, because then they are fitted either for singing, or for instrumental performance, when there happens to be no singer. I mean to employ our right trusty friend Mr. Clarke to set the bass to these, which he assures me he will do, con amore, and with much greater attention than he ever bestowed on any thing of the kind. But for this last class of airs, I will not attempt to find more than one set of verses.

That eccentric bard Peter Pindar, has started I know not how many difficulties, about writing for the airs I sent to him, because of the peculiarity of their measure, and the trammels hey impose on his flying Pegasus. I subjoin

MR. THOMSON has been so obliging as to give

lowpin o'er a linn," is a line of itself that should make you immortal. I sometimes hear of you from our mutual friend C., who is a most excellent fellow, and possesses, above all men I know, the charm of a most obliging disposition. You kindly promised me, about a year ago, a your unpublished productions, religious and amorous; I know from experience how irksome it is to copy. If you will get any trusty person in Dumfries to write them over fair, I will give Peter Hill whatever money e asks for his trouble; and I certainly shall not betray your confidence.

collection of

I am your hearty admirer,

ANDREW ERSKINE.

No. XII.

THE POET TO MR. THOMSON.

26th January, 1793.

I APPROVE greatly, my dear Sir, of your plans. Dr. Beattie's Essay will of itself be a treasure. On my part, I mean to draw up an appendix to the Doctor's Essay, containing my stock of anecdotes, &c. of our Scots songs. All the late Mr. Tytler's anecdotes I have by me, taken down in the course of my acquaintance with him from his own mouth. I am such an enthusiast, that in the course of my several peregrinations through Scotland, I made a pilgri mage to the individual spot from which every song took its rise," Lochaber," and the "Braes of Ballenden," excepted. So far as the locality, either from the title of the air, or the tenor of the song, could be ascertained, I have paid my devotions at the particular shrine of every Scotch muse.

I do not doubt but you might make a very valuable collection of Jacobite songs-but would

it give no offence? In the mean time, do not think it very remarkable, either for its merits, you think that some of them, particularly "The or demerits. It is impossible (at least I feel it Sow's tail to Geordie," as an air, with other so in my stinted powers), to be always original, words, might be well worth a place in your entertaining, and witty.

If it were possible to procure songs of merit, I shall be out of all temper with you by and by. it would be proper to have one set of Scots I have always looked on myself as the prince of words to every air, and that the set of words to indolent correspondents, and valued myself acwhich the notes ought to be set. There is a cordingly; and I will not, cannot bear rivalship naivete, a pastoral simplicity, in a slight inter-from you, nor any body else.

them, when you favour me with your strictures upon every thing else relating to the work.

the moor, and several other lines in it, are beautiful: but in my opinion-pardon me, revered Pleyel has lately sent me a number of the shade of Ramsay! the song is unworthy of the songs, with his symphonies and accompaniments divine air. I shall try to make, or mend. For added to them. I wish you were here, that I ever, Fortune wilt thou prove, is a charming might serve up some of them to you with your song; but Logan burn and Logan braes, are own verses, by way of dessert after dinner. There sweetly susceptible of rural imagery: I'll try is so much delightful fancy in the symphonies, that likewise, and if I succeed, the other song and such a delicate simplicity in the accom- may class among the English ones. I remempaniments: they are indeed beyond all praise.ber the two last last lines of a verse in some of I am very much pleased with the several last the old songs of Logan water, (for I know a productions of your muse: your Lord Gregory, good many different ones) which I think pretty : in my estimation, is more interesting than Peter's, beautiful as his is! Your Here Awa" Willie must undergo some alterations to suit the air. Mr. Erskine and I have been conning it over he will suggest what is necessary to make them a fit match."

:

The gentleman I have mentioned, whose fine taste you are no stranger to, is so well pleased both with the musical and poetical part of our work, that he has volunteered his assistance, and has already written four songs for it, which, by his own desire, I send for your perusal.

No. XVIII.

THE POET TO MR. THOMSON.

(The Soldier's Return, p. 235.) (Meg o' the Mill. p. 211.)

No. XIX.

THL POET TO MR. THOMSON.

7th April, 1793. THANK you, my dear Sir, for your packet. You cannot imagine how much this business of composing for your publication has added to my enjoyments. What with my early attachment to ballads, your book, &c. ballad-making is now as completely my hobby-horse, as ever fortifica

Now my dear lad maun face his faes,

Far, far frae me and Logan braes.'

My Patie is a lover gay, is unequal. “ His mind is never muddy," is a muddy expression indeed.

"Then I'll resign and marry Pate,

And syne my cockernony."

This is surely far unworthy of Ramsay, or your book. My song, Rigs of barley, to the same tune, does not altogether please me; but if I can mend it, and thrash a few loose sentiments out of it, I will submit it to your consideration. The lass o' Patie's mill is one of Ramsay's best songs; but there is one loose sentiment in it, which my much-valued friend, Mr. Erskine, will take into his critical consideration. In Sir J. Sinclair's Statistical volumes are two claims, one, I think, from Aberdeenshire, and the other from Ayrshire, for the honour of this song. The following anecdote, which I had from the present Sir William Cunningham, of Robertland, who had it of the late John Earl of Loudon, I can on such authorities believe.

Allan Ramsay was residing at Loudon Castle with the then Earl, father to Earl John; and one forenoon, riding, or walking out together, his Lordship and Allan passed a sweet roman. tic spot on Irvine water, still called "Patie's bareheaded on the green." My Lord observed Mill," where a bonnie lass was "tedding hay, to Allan, that it would be a fine theme for a hind, he composed the first sketch of it, which song. Ramsay took the hint, and lingering behe produced at dinner.

nis."

but for consistency's sake alter the name “ AdoOne day I heard Hary say, Is a fine song; Was there ever such banns published, as a purpose of marriage between Adonis and Mathat my song, There's

ry? I agree with you

tion was Uncle Toby's; so I'll e'en canter it away till I come to the limit of my race, (God grant that I may take the right side of the winning-post!) and then cheerfully looking back on the honest folks with whom I have been happy, I shall say, or sing, "Sae merry as we a' hae been!" and raising my last looks to the whole human race, the last words of the voice of Coi-nought but care on every hand, is much superila shall be "Good night and joy be wi' you mill, mill O, though excellent, is, on account of or to Poortith cauld. The original song, The a'!" So much for my last words: now for a few present remarks, as they have occurred at delicacy, inadmissible; still I like the title, and think a Scottish song would suit the notes best; random, on looking over your list. follow, as an English set. and let your chosen song, which is very pretty, The banks of the Dee is, you know, literally Langolee to slow time. The song is well enough, but has some false imagery in it for instance.

The first lines of The last time I came o'er

The gentleman alluded to was Mr. Andrew Ers kine. The poet adopted part of the alterations, and rejected the rest.

And sweetly the nightingale sung from the think we ought not to displace or alter it, ex-
tree."
cept the last stanza.*

No. XXI.

THE POET TO MR. THOMSON.

In the first place, the nightingale sings in a .ow bush, but never from a tree; and in the second place, there never was a nightingale seen or heard on the banks of the Dee, or on the banks of any other river in Scotland. Exotic rural imagery is always comparatively flat. If I could hit on another stanza equal to The small birds rejoice, &c. I do myself honestly avow April, 1793. that I think it a superior song. John AnderI HAVE yours, my dear Sir, this moment. son my jo-the song to this tune in Johnson's shall answer it and your former letter, in my Museum, is my composition, and I think it not desultory way of saying whatever comes uppermy worst: If it suit you, take it and welcome. most.

Your collection of sentimental and pathetic The business of many of our tunes wanting songs, is, in my opinion, very complete; but not at the beginning what fiddlers call a startingso your comic ones. Where are Tullochgorum, Lote, is often a rub to us poor rhymers. Lumps o' puddin, Tibbie Fowler, and several

You may alter to

others, which, in my humble judgment, are well" There's braw, braw lads on Yarrow braes, worthy of preservation? There is also one senThat wander thro' the blooming heather," timental song of mine in the Museum, which never was known out of the immediate neighbourhood, until I got it taken down froin a country girl's singing. It is called Craigieburn wood; and in the opinion of Mr. Clarke, is one of our sweetest Scottish songs. He is quite an enthusiast about it; and I would take his taste in Scottish music against the taste of most

connoisseurs.

"Braw, braw lads on Yarrow braes,
Ye wander," &e.

I

My song, Here awa, there awa, as amended by Mr. Erskine, I entirely approve of, and re

turn you.

Give me leave to criticise your taste in the only thing in which it is in my opinion repreYou know I ought to know some

You are quite right in inserting the last five in your list, though they are certainly Irish. Shepherds I have lost my love, is to me a hea-hensible. venly air-what would you think of a set of thing of my own trade. Of pathos, sentiment, Scottish verses to it? I have made one to it a and point, you are a complete judge; but there good while ago, which I think is a quality more necessary than either, in a

lady's song.

but in its original state is not quite a song, and which is the very essence of a ballad, I enclose an altered, not amend-I mean simplicity: now, if I mistake not, this ed copy for you, if last feature you are a little apt to sacrifice to choose to set the tune to you it, and let the Irish verses follow. the foregoing. Mr. Erskine's songs are all pretty, but his Lone vale is divine. Yours, &c.

Ramsay, as every other poet, has not been always equally happy in his pieces: still I cannot approve of taking such liberties with an Let me know just how you like these random author as Mr. W. proposes doing with The last

hints.

No. XX.

MR. THOMSON TO THE POET.

Edinburgh, April, 1793. I REJOICE to find, my dear Sir, that balladmaking continues to be your hobby-horse. Great pity 'twould be were it otherwise. I hope you will amble it away for many a year, and "witch the world with your horsemanship."

i know there are a good many lively songs of merit that I have not put down in the list sent you; but I have them all in my eye. My Patie is a lover gay, though a little unequal, is natural and very pleasing song, and I humbly

time I came o'er the Moor. Let a poet, if he chooses, take up the idea of another, and work it into a piece of his own; but to mangle the works of the poor bard, whose tuneful tongue is now mute for ever, in the dark and narrow house-by Heaven 'twould be sacrilege! I grant that Mr. W's version is an improvement; but I know Mr. W. well, and esteem him much; let him mend the song, as the Highlander mended his gun :-he gave it a new stock, and a new lock, and a new barrel.

I do not, by this, object to leaving out improper stanzas, where that can be done without Palie's mill, must be left out: the song will spoiling the whole. One stanza in The lass be nothing worse for it. I am not sure if we

The original letter from Mr. Thomson contains many observations on the Scottish songs, and on the manner of adapting the words to the music, which, at his desire, are suppressed. The subsequent letter of Mr. Burns refers to several of these observations.

can take the same liberty with Corn rigs are bonnie. Perhaps it might want the last stanza, and be the better for it. Cauld kail in Aberdeen, you must leave with me yet a while. I have vowed to have a song to that air, on the lady whom I attempted to celebrate in the verses, Poortith cauld and restless love. At any rate, my other song, Green grow the rashes, will never suit. That song is current in Scotland under the old title, and to the merry old tune of that name; which of course would mar the progress of your song to celebrity. Your book will be the standard of Scots songs for the future: let this idea ever keep your judgment on the alarm.

I send a song, on a celebrated toast in this country, to suit Bonnie Dundee. I send you also a ballad to the Mill, mill O.

No. XXIII.

MR. THOMSON TO THE POET.

Edinburgh, 26th April, 1793.

I HEARTILY thank you, my dear Sir, for your last two letters, and the songs which accompanied them. I am always both instructed and entertained by your observations; and the frankness with which you speak out your mind, is to me highly agreeable. It is very possible I may not have the true idea of simplicity in composition. I confess there are several songs of Allan Ramsay's, for example, that I think silly enough, which another person, more conversant than I have been with country people, would perhaps call simple and natural. But the lowest scenes of simple nature will not please generally, if coThe last time I came o'er the moor, I would pied precisely as they are. The poet, like the fain attempt to make a Scots song for, and let painter, must select what will form an agreeable Ramsay's be the English set. You shall hear as well as a natural picture. On this subject it from me soon. When you go to London on were easy to enlarge; but at present suffice it this business, can you come by Dumfries? I to say, that I consider simplicity, rightly underhave still several MS. Scots airs by me which stood, as a most essential quality in composition, I have picked up, mostly from the singing of and the ground-work of beauty in all the arts. country lasses. They please me vastly; but I will gladly appropriate your most interesting your learned lugs would perhaps be displeased new ballad, When wild war's deadly blast, &c. with the very feature for which I like them. to the Mill, mill, O, as well as the two other I call them simple; you would pronounce them songs to their respective airs; but the third and silly. Do you know a fine air called Jackie fourth line of the first verse must undergo some Hume's lament? I have a song of consider-little alteration in order to suit the music. Pleyel able merit to that air. I'll enclose you both the song and tune, as I had them ready to send to Johnson's Museum. I send you likewise, to me, a beautiful little air, which I had taken down from viva voce.

No. XXII

Adieu!

THE POET TO MR. THOMSON.

MY DEAR SIR,

April, 1793.

does not alter a single note of the songs. That would be absurd indeed! With the airs which he introduces into the sonatas, I allow him to take such liberties as he pleases; but that has nothing to do with the songs.

P. S.-I wish you would do as you proposed with your Rigs o' barley. If the loose sentiments are thrashed out of it, I will find an air for it; but as to this there is no hurry.

No. XXIV.

THE POFT TO MR. THOMSON.

June, 1793.

I HAD scarcely put my last letter into the post-office, when I took up the subject of The last time I came o'er the moor, and ere I slept drew the outlines of the foregoing. How far I have succeeded, I leave on this, as on every other occasion, to you to decide. I own my vanity is flattered, when you give my songs a place in your elegant and superb work; but to be of service to the work is my first wish. As I have often told you, I do not in a single instance wish you, out of compliment to me, to insert any thing of mine. One hint let me give you-whatever Mr. Pleyel does, let him not alter one iota of the original Scottish airs; I mean, in the song department; but let our national music preserve its native features. They are, I cannot alter the disputed lines in the Mill, I own, frequently wild and irreducible to the mill, O. What you think a defect I esteem as more modern rules; but on that very eccentri-a positive beauty: so you see how doctors difcity, perhaps, depends a great part of their ef fer. I shall now, with as much alacrity as I fect. can muster, go on with your commands.

WHEN I tell you, my dear Sir, that a friend of mine, in whom I am much interested, has fallen a sacrifice to these accursed times, you will easily allow that it might unhinge me for doing any good among ballads. My own loss, as to pecuniary matters, is trifling; but the total ruin of a much-loved friend, is a loss indeed. Pardon my seeming inattention to your last commands.