CONTENTS VOLUME FIRST. PREFATORY REMARKS ON THE CHARACTER AND CONDITION Page Effects of the legal establishment of parochial schools-of the church establishment-of the absence of poor laws→→→ of the Scottish music and national songs-of the laws re- LIFE OF BURNS. Narrative of his infancy and youth, by himself—Narrative on the same subject, by his brother, and by Mr Murdoch, of London, his teacher-Other particulars of Burns while resident in Ayrshire-History of Burns while resident in Edinburgh, including letters to the Editor from Mr Stew- art and Dr Adair-History of Burns while on the farm of Ellisland, in Dumfries-shire-History of Burns while resident in Dumfries-his last illness-death-and cha- APPENDIX, No. III. Letter from Mr GILBERT BURNS to 299 On a Young Lady residing on the Banks of the Devon,..... 141 On Gordon Castle.................................................................. 148 On the Birth-day of Prince Charles Edward,...................... 150 The Song of Death,............................................................. 175 CAPTAIN GRAHAM MOORE, OF THE ROYAL NAVY. 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 undertaking. These points I will briefly explain. Having occasion to make an excursion to the county of Dumfries, in the summer of 1792, I had there an opportunity of seeing and conversing with Burns. It has been my fortune to know some men of high reputation in literature, as well as in public life; but never to meet any one who, in the course of a single interview, communicated to me so strong an impression of the force and versatility of his ta lents. 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. d Four years afterwards, Burns terminated his career. Among those whom the charms of his genius had attached to him, was one with whom I have been bound in the ties of friendship from early life-Mr John Syme, of Ryedale. This gentleman, after the death of Burns, promoted with the utmost zeal a subscription for the support of the widow and children, to which their relief from immediate distress is to be ascribed; and in conjunction with other friends of this virtuous and destitute family, he projected the publication of these volumes for their benefit, by which the return of want might be prevented or prolonged. 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 performance of which, it was scarcely to be hoped, that general approbation could be obtained by any exertion of judgment or temper. To such an office, my place of residence, my accustomed studies, and my occupations, were certainly little suited; but the partiality of Mr Syme thought me in other respects not unqualified; and his solicitations, joined to those of our excellent friend and relation, Mrs Dunlop, and 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 |