thence many miles through a wild country, among cliffs grey with eternal snows, and gloomy savage glens, till I crossed Spey and went down the stream through Strathspey, so famous in Scottish music; Badenoch, &c. till I reached Grant Castle, where I spent half a day with Sir James Grant and family; and then crossed the country for Fort George, but called by the way at Cawdor, the ancient seat of Macbeth; there I saw the identical bed in which, tradition says, king Duncan was murdered: lastly, from Fort George to Inverness. I returned by the coast, through Nairn, Forres, and so on, to Aberdeen; thence to Stonehive, where James Burness, from Montrose, met me by appointment. I spent two days among our relations, and found our aunts, Jean and Isabel, still alive, and hale old women. John Caird, though born the same year with our father, walks as vigorously as I can they have had several letters from his son in New York. William Brand is likewise a stout old fellow but further particulars I delay till I see you, which will be in two or three weeks. The rest of my stages are not worth rehearsing: warm as I was from Ossian's country, where I had seen his very grave, what cared I for fishing towns or fertile carses? I slept at the fa mous mous Brodie of Brodie's one night, and dined at Gordon Castle next day with the duke, duchess, and family. I am thinking to cause my old mare to meet me, by means of John Ronald, at Glasgow: but you shall hear farther from me before I leave Edinburgh. My duty, and many compliments from the north, to my mother, and my brotherly compliments to the rest. I have been trying for a birth for William, but am not likely to be successful.Farewell! No. No. XXXI. From MR. R*****. Ochterlyre, 22d October, 1787. SIR, 'Twas only yesterday I got Colonel Edmondstoune's answer, that neither the words of Down the burn Davie, nor Dainty Davie, (I forgot which you mentioned) were written by Colonel G. Crawford. Next time I meet him, I will inquire about his cousin's poetical talents. Inclosed are the inscriptions you requested, and a letter to Mr. Young, whose company and musical talents will, I am persuaded, be a feast to to you.* Nobody can give you as to your present plan than he. better hints, Receive also Omeron Cameron, which seemed to make such a deep * These Inscriptions, so much admired by Burns, are below: WRITTEN IN 1768. For the Saliclum + al Ochtertyre. SALUBRITATIS voluptatisque causâ, Paludem olim infidam, Mihi meisque desicco et exorno. Silvulas inter nascentes reptandi, Hic, si faxit Deus opt. max. Ævique paululum supersit, Vos silvulæ, et amici, Cæteraque amoena, Valete, diuque lætamini! ENGLISHED + Salictum-Grove of Willows, Willow-ground. a deep impression on your imagination, that I am not without hopes it will beget something to delight the public in due time: and, no doubt, the circumstances of this little tale might be varied or extended, so as to make part of a pastoral comedy. Age or wounds might have kept Omeron at home, whilst his countrymen ENGLISHED. To improve both air and soil, I drain and decorate this plantation of willows, Now fondly marking the progress of my trees, If vain these humble wishes, Farewell, and long may ye flourish! Above |