fulsome dedication to the Magistrates of Bon Accord, as he styles Aberdeen, from its motto.

I have some thoughts of being in London in a few weeks, and shall endeavor to have it with me if you have not happened to see it. I shall then also have a proof sheet of Christ's Kirk, which, with your aid, should now be the standard edition. Some of the passages are very difficult, particularly the personage Towsie, Dowsie, Dowie, Downie ; certainly all the same woman. Mr. Tytler is not completely literatim, nor even verbatim. Why did he leave out the important word "hir," in They partit hir manly," &c. ?" Herdsmen," instead of "Heidsmen," a common term. "Yowder" for "yoldin," &c. It would be easy to fill up the blanks in your Bannatyne list. In the "twa cummers," I see Bannatyne has "Ash. Wed." quite plain: in another place, "cunno" instead of "curro.'

66

If a complete copy of the various readings of " King's quair" could be procured, it might be reprinted in this volume; although Mr. Tytler seems not fond of so doing. By the by, this poem can hardly be written by the author of Christ's Kirk and Pebles; or if so, the language of a more early date must have been affected; and yet it does not look like an affected style.

Does not Burel's description of the entry of the Queen (in Watson) deserve a place? It is curious, and so is his (I suppose) Diary in the Edinburgh Magazine, about 1785 or 86. I forget if he is not there called Peter, not having the volume by

me.

If the fine airs of Forbes are not commonly known in England, I shall cause Johnson to put them into his museum; and Clarke will do so likewise; or I shall make some other use of them. You'll easily learn from the first lines whether they are known or not. I should be very happy

to hear from you when convenient.

MR. BUTLER TO MR. PINKERTON.

Dec. 23rd, 1793.

It will certainly give me the greatest pleasure to be useful to you in the prosecution of the great work in question. Since I had the honor of meeting you at Mr. Dilly's, I have heard it frequently mentioned in conversation; and the manner in which it is mentioned makes me very much doubt, whether the literary curiosity of the public is sufficient to support so great an undertaking. There were many circumstances attending the publication of such works in France, which almost insured their success. In any case where such a performance was the work of a member of any religious order, every religious house of his order was expected to purchase it; and, if it acquired any considerable share of reputation, it was pur

* Charles Butler, Esq., author of the Hora Biblicæ, &c. &c. &c., who, happily for his friends and for literature, and the world, still lives.

chased by the religious houses of the same order in other countries. Besides this, the number of public libraries was inconceivable; and the individuals who possessed extensive collections were much more numerous there than they are in England. Most gentlemen who are addicted to the study of the antiquities of their own country are already in possession of most of the writers of which the collection in question will be composed; and they will hardly be induced to pay the large sum required, merely to have those which are wanting to complete their sets. I state these difficulties, to call your attention to two circumstances the first, that government should be solicited to advance a sum of money towards the expense of the publication: of this there are many precedents. The second, that, if the publication should be found too hazardous for an individual to engage in, it might deserve consideration, whether a collection of a different kind would not be more favorably received: I mean, a collection of such writers as are out of print, or not easily obtained, preceded by a catalogue raisonné of them all, and a publication of extracts taken from foreign authors of such passages in their works as relate to our history. It has often occurred to me that a work of this nature is greatly wanted, and would, in all probability, be much favored by the public.

The only copy I believe to exist in England, of the collection of Bollandus and his continuators, belongs to Mr. Wild of Lulworth Castle, in Dorsetshire. I incline to think he would not lend it

out of his hands for any time; but, if you think proper, I will apply for it. In that case, you must write me a letter, signifying the use you have for it, and the time you wish to keep it. I applied to a friend of mine to purchase it for me at Brussels, if it came within a certain price. He informs me it is to be purchased for about 40%., and that it formerly sold for double that sum. There are two other works you will find useful— the Gallia Christiana of St. Marthe, and the Acta Sanctorum Ordinis Sancti Benedicti, by Mabillon. I need not mention to you Prynne's famous collection, which, with regard to the ecclesiastical history of this country, is invaluable. The last copy on sale was sold to the Duke of Grafton for thirty-five guineas. The only copy I have seen belongs to the Lansdown library; and the Marquis permitted me to keep it above a twelvemonth.

I am ashamed to trouble you with so long a letter. I have only to add, that I hope you will command my services on all occasions.

MR. PINKERTON TO MR. NICHOLS.*

Hampstead, Jan. 20th, 1794.

As in your obituary you may have occasion to mention Mr. Gibbon, I beg leave to state a few

This letter is printed in Nichols' Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century.

matters, in order to prevent misrepresentation or mistake. I need hardly say that this letter is meant to be extracted in the third person, and not published, nor your authority mentioned.

Mr. Gibbon died of a dropsy, with which, and a rupture, he had been long troubled. What was good for the one disease, was bad for the other; and he had often been tapped in vain. His spirits and talents remained in great vigour, notwithstanding his disease.

In July last he was pleased to call me in, (then a stranger to him,) in the most flattering terms, as his coadjutor in a design he meditated of publishing all the early English historians, in ten or twelve volumes folio. After many conversations, the prospectus was to be prepared by Mr. Gibbon, and published by the 20th of this month. It is hoped it is among his may be papers, and

published.

He has often told me that this was the only plan he meditated since closing his history; so that the reports concerning his literary occupations were fallacious.

I never hoped for success in a design which government alone could carry into execution. It was solely his own project, and has expired with him.