comparative excellence of her pieces. I would do this last, not from any vanity of thinking that my remarks could be of much consequence to Mrs. Smith, but merely from my own feelings as an author, doing as I would be done by. R. B.

[The Sonnets to which Burns alludes were those of Charlotte Smith: the volume which belonged to the poet is now before me; one note alone intimates that the book passed through his hands; the fair authoress, in giving the source of line 14, in the 8th sonnet

"Have power to cure all sadness but despair."

quotes Milton

"Vernal delight and joy, able to drive

All sadness but despair."

To this Burns added with the pen

"He sang sae sweet as might dispel

These lines are to be found in one version at least of the

fine ballad of Gill Morrice. ED.]

No. CLXXII.

TO MR. MURDOCH,

TEACHER OF FRENCH, LONDON.

MY DEAR SIR,

Ellisland, July 16, 1790.

I RECEIVED a letter from you a long time ago, but unfortunately as it was in the time of my peregrinations and journeyings through Scotland, I mislaid or lost it, and by consequence your direction along with it. Luckily my good star brought me acquainted with Mr. Kennedy, who I understand, is an acquaintance of yours and by his means and mediation I hope to replace that link which my unfortunate negligence had so unluckily broke in the chain of our correspondence. I was the more vexed at the vile accident, as my brother William, a journeyman saddler, has been for some time in London; and wished above all things for your direction, that he might have paid his respects to his Father's Friend.

His last address he sent me was, " Wm. Burns, at Mr. Barber's saddler, No. 181, Strand." I writ him by Mr. Kennedy, but neglected to ask him for your address; so, if you find a spare half minute,

please let my brother know by a card where and when he will find you, and the poor fellow will joyfully wait on you, as one of the few surviving friends of the man whose name, and Christian name too, he has the honour to bear.

The next letter I write you shall be a long one, I have much to tell you of "hair-breadth 'scapes in th' imminent deadly breach," with all the eventfull history of a life, the early years of which owed so much to your kind tutorage; but this at an hour of leisure. My kindest compliments to Mrs. Murdoch and family.

I am ever, my dear Sir,

Your obliged friend,

R. B.

[The promised account of himself was never written: but this is the less to be regretted, since we have that which he rendered of his earlier days to Dr. Moore-a valuable memoir, from which all biographers have borrowed, and no one has questioned or contradicted. -ED.]

No. CLXXIII.

TO MR. MC MURDO.

SIR,

Ellisland, 2nd August, 1790.

Now that you are over with the sirens of Flattery, the harpies of Corruption, and the furies of Ambition, these infernal deities, that on all sides, and in all parties, preside over the villainous business of Politics, permit a rustic muse of your acquaintance to do her best to sooth you with a song.

You knew Henderson-I have not flattered his memory.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obliged humble Servant,

R. B.

[This brief letter enclosed the admirable poem on the death of Captain Matthew Henderson, and no one could better feel than the gentleman to whom it was addressed the difference between the dissonance of politics, and the harmony of the muse. Who Henderson was has to

me been a source of some solicitude: Mrs. Burns had only heard of his name, and Mrs. McMurdo remembered him as an agreeable and witty man, but knew nothing of his lineage. Sir Thomas Wallace was applied to, and his communication afforded a little more light. He was intimate, he said, with Henderson, and much attached to him as all who knew him were. During the stay of Burns in Edinburgh the Captain lived in the High Street, dined regularly at Fortune's Tavern, and was a member of the Capillaire Club which was composed of all who inclined to the witty and the joyous. "With his family," says Sir Thomas, "I was not acquainted but he was a gentleman of true principles and probity, and for abilities, goodness of heart, gentleness of nature, sprightly wit and sparkling humour would have been an honour to any family in the land.” -ED.]