*

countrymen were in the field. His station may be somewhat varied, without losing his simplicity and kindness *. A group of characters, male and female, connected with the plot might be formed from his family, or some neighbouring one of rank. It is not indispensable that the guest should be a man of high station; nor is the political quarrel in which

Above the Door of the House,

WRITTEN IN 1775.

Min meisque utinam contingat,
Prope Taichi marginem,
Avito in Agello,

Bene vivere fausteque mori!

ENGLISHED.

On the banks of the Teith,

In the small but sweet inheritance
Of my fathers,

May I and mine live in peace,

And die in joyful hope!

These inscriptions, and the translations, are in the

hand-writing of Mr. Ramsay.

E.

which he is engaged of much importance, unless to call forth the exercise of generosity and faithfulness, grafted on patriarchal hospitality. To introduce state-affairs, would raise the style above comedy; though a small spice of them would season the converse of swains. Upon this head I cannot say more than to recommend the study of the character of Eumæus in the Odyssey, which, in Mr. Pope's translation is an exquisite and invaluable drawing from nature, that would suit some of our country Elders of the present day.

There must be love in the plot, and a happy discovery; and peace and pardon may be the reward of hospitality, and honest attachment to misguided principles. When you have once thought of a plot, and brought the story into form, Dr. Blacklock, or Mr. H. Mackenzie, may be useful in dividing it into acts and scenes; for in these matters one must pay some attention to certain rules of the Drama. These could afterwards fill up at you your leisure. But, whilst I presume to give a few wellmeant hints, let me advise you to spirit of my namesake's dialogue,*

study the

which is

natural

*Allan Ramsay, in the Gentle Shepherd.

E.

natural without being low, and, under the trammels of verse, is such as country people, in these situations, speak every day. You have only to bring down your own strain a very little. A great plan, such as this, would concenter all your ideas, which facilitates the execution, and makes it a part of one's pleasure.

I approve of your plan of retiring from din and dissipation to a farm of very moderate size, sufficient to find exercise for mind and body, but not so great as to absorb better things. And if some intellectual pursuit be well chosen and steadily pursued, it will be more lucrative than most farms, in this age of rapid improvement.

Upon this subject, as your well-wisher and admirer, permit me to go a step further. Let those bright talents, which the Almighty has bestowed on you, be henceforth employed to the noble purpose of supporting the cause of truth and virtue. An imagination so varied and forcible as yours, may do this in many different modes: nor is it necessary to be always serious, which you have been to good purpose; good morals may be recommended in a comedy, or even in a song. Great allowances are due to the heat and inexperience of youth; -and few poets can boast, like Thomson, of

VOL. II.

H

never

never having written a line which, dying, they would wish to blot. In particular, I wish you to keep clear of the thorny walks of satire, which makes a man an hundred enemies for one friend, and is doubly dangerous when one is supposed to extend the slips and weaknesses of individuals to their sect or party. About modes of faith, serious and excellent men have always differed; and there are certain curious questions, which may afford scope to men of metaphysical heads, but seldom mend the heart or temper. Whilst these points are beyond human ken, it is sufficient that all our sects concur in their views of morals. You will forgive me for these hints.

Well! what think you of good Lady Clackmannan ?* It is a pity she is so deaf, and speaks so indistinctly. Her house is a specimen of the mansions of our gentry of the last age, when hospitality and elevation of mind were conspicuous amidst plain fare and plain furniture. I shall be glad to hear from you at times, if it were no more than to shew that you take the effusions of an obscure man like me in

good

*Mrs. Bruce of Clackmannan.

E.

good part. I beg my best respects to Dr. and Mrs. Blacklock.*

And am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

J. RAMSAY.

TALE OF OMERON CAMERON.

IN one of the wars betwixt the Crown of Scotland and the Lords of the Isles, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, (a distinguished character in the fifteenth century) and Donald Stewart, Earl of Caithness, had the command of the royal army. They marched into Lochaber, with a view of attacking a body of M'Donalds, commanded by Donald Balloch, and posted upon an arm of the sea which intersects that country. Having timely intelligence of their approach, the insurgents got off percipitately to the opposite shore in their curraghs, or boats covered with skins. The king's troops encamped in full security; but the M'Donalds, returning about midnight, surprised them, killed the Earl of Caithness, and destroyed or dispersed the whole army.

The Earl of Mar escaped in the dark, without any attendants, and made for the more hilly part of the country. In the course of his flight he came to the house of a poor man, whose name was Omeron Cameron. The landlord welcomed his guest with the utmost kindness;