But the hand that could give, I would liberally fill and I would pour delight on the heart that could kindly forgive, and generously love.

Still the inequalities of life are, among men, comparatively tolerable-but there is a delicacy, a tenderness, accompanying every view in which we can place lovely Woman, that are grated and shocked at the rude, capricious distinctions of Fortune. 'Woman is the blood-royal of life: let there be slight degrees of precedency among them-but let them be ALL sacred.-Whether this last sentiment be right or wrong, I am not accountable; it is an original component feature of my mind.

R. B.

[Those who remember the pleasing society which, in the year 1791, Dumfries afforded, cannot have forgotten "the charming lovely Davies" of the lyrics of Burns. Her maiden name was Deborah, and she was the youngest daughter of Dr. Davies of Tenby in Pembrokeshire: between her and the Riddels of Friars Carse there were ties of blood or friendship, and her eldest sister, Harriet, was married to Captain Adam Gordon, of the noble family of Kenmure. Her education was superior to that of most young ladies of her station of life: she was equally agreeable and witty: her company was much courted in Nithsdale and others than Burns respected her talents in poetic composition. She was then in her twentieth year, and so little and so handsome that some one, who desired to compliment her, welcomed her to the Vale of Nith as one of the Graces in miniature.

It was the destiny of Miss Davies to become acquainted with Captain Delany, a pleasant and sightly man, who made himself acceptable to her by sympathizing in her pursuits, and by writing verses to her, calling her his "Stella," an ominous name, which might have brought the memory of Swift's unhappy mistress to her mind. An offer of marriage was made and accepted: but Delany's circumstances were urged as an obstacle; delays ensued; a coldness on the lover's part followed his regiment was called abroad, he went with it; she heard from him once and no more, and was left to mourn the change of affection-to droop and die. He perished in battle or by a foreign climate, soon after the death of the young lady, of whose love he was so unworthy.

The following verses on this unfortunate attachment form part of a poem found among her papers at her death she takes Delany's portrait from her bosom, presses it to her lips, and says,

6

Next to thyself 'tis all on earth,

Thy Stella dear doth hold,

The glass is clouded with my breath,

And as my bosom cold:

That bosom which so oft has glowed,

With love and friendship's name,

Where you the seed of love first sowed,
That kindled into flame.

'You there neglected let it burn,

It seized the vital part,

And left my bosom as an urn

To hold a broken heart;

I once had thought I should have been

A tender happy wife,

And past my future days serene

With thee my James through life.'

The information contained in this note was obligingly communicated to me by H. P. Davies, Esq. nephew of the lady. ED.]

No. CXCIX.

TO MRS. DUNLOP.

Ellisland, 17th December, 1791. MANY thanks, to you, Madam, for your good news respecting the little floweret and the motherplant. I hope my poetic prayers have been heard, and will be answered up to the warmest sincerity of their fullest extent; and then Mrs. Henri will find her little darling the representative of his late parent, in every thing but his abridged existence.

I have just finished the following song, which to a lady the descendant of Wallace and many heroes of his truly illustrious line-and herself the mother of several soldiers, needs neither preface nor apology.

"Scene-A field of battle-time of the day, evening; the wounded and dying of the victorious army are supposed to join in the following

SONG OF DEATH.

Farewell, thou fair day, thou green earth, and ye skies

Now gay with the bright setting sun;

Farewell, loves and friendships, ye dear, tender ties

Our race of existence is run!"

(See vol. iv. page 267.)

The circumstance that gave rise to the foregoing verses was, looking over with a musical friend McDonald's collection of Highland airs, I was struck with one, an Isle of Skye tune, entitled "Oran an Aoig, or, the Song of Death," to the measure of which I have adapted my stanzas. I have of late composed two or three other little pieces, which, ere yon full-orbed moon, whose broad impudent face now stares at old mother earth all night, shall have shrunk into a modest crescent, just peeping forth at dewy dawn, I shall find an hour to transcribe for you. A Dieu je vous commende. R. B.

[To the friendship of this accomplished lady we owe many of the best of the poet's letters :-it was one of his remarks, that between the men of rustic life and the polite world he observed little difference-that in the former, though unpolished by fashion, and unenlightened by science, he had found much observation and much intelligence; but a refined and accomplished woman was a being almost new to him, and of which he had formed but a very inadequate idea. CROMEK.]

No. CC.

TO MRS. DUNLOP.

5th January, 1792. ́ ́

You see my hurried life, Madam: I can only command starts of time; however, I am glad of one thing; since I finished the other sheet, the political blast that threatened my welfare is overblown. I have corresponded with Commissioner Graham, for the board had made me the subject of their animadversions; and now I have the pleasure of informing you, that all is set to rights in that quarter. Now as to these informers, may the devil be let loose to but, hold! I was praying most fervently in my last sheet, and I must not so soon fall a swearing in this.

Alas! how little do the wantonly or idly officious think what mischief they do by their malicious insinuations, indirect impertinence, or thoughtless blabbings. What a difference there is in intrinsic worth, candour, benevolence, generosity, kindness, -in all the charities and all the virtues ; between one class of human beings and another. For instance, the amiable circle I so lately mixed with in the hospitable hall of Dunlop, their generous hearts their uncontaminated dignified minds their informed and polished understandings-what