PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND;

AND W. CREECH, AT EDINBURGH

BY J. M'CREERY, BLACK-HORSE-COURT, FLEET-STREET.

1813.

DEDICATION

Of the Second Edition of the Poems formerly printed.

TO THE

NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN

OF THE

CALEDONIAN HUNT.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

A Scottish Bard, proud of the name, and whose highest ambition is to sing in his Country's service-where shall he so properly look for patronage as to the illustrious names of his native land; those who bear the honours and inherit the virtues of their ancestors? The Poetic Genius of my Country found me, as the prophetic bard Elijah did Elisha-at the PLOUGH; and threw her inspiring mantle over me. She bade me sing the loves, the joys, the rural scenes and rural pleasures of my native soil, in my native tongue: I tuned my wild, artless notes, as she inspired.-She whispered me to come to this ancient Metropolis of Caledonia, and lay my Songs under your honoured protection: I now obey her dictates.

Though much indebted to your goodness, 1 do not approach you, my Lords and Gentlemen, in the usual style of dedication, to thank you for past favours: that path

VOL. III.

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