[The answer to the Poet's letter lies before me: I give it entire: it bears testimony to the taste and talents of one of Burns's early companions. "Your kind letter came to hand, and I would have answered it sooner, had I not delayed, in expectation of finding some person who could enable me to comply with your request. Being myself unskilled in music as a science, I made an attempt to get the song you mentioned, set by some other hand; but as I could not accomplish this, I must send you the words without the music. Some of Edina's fair nymphs may perhaps be able to do you a piece of service which I would have done with the greatest pleasure had it been in my power. It is with the greatest sincerity I applaud your attempt to give the world a more correct and more elegant collection of Scotch songs than has hitherto appeared. They have been long and much admired, and yet perhaps no poetical compositions ever met with approbation more disproportioned to their merit. Many, from an affectation perhaps of a more than usual knowledge of ancient literature, extol, with the most extravagant praises, the pastoral productions of the Greek and Roman poets; and attempt to persuade us, that in them alone is to be found that natural simplicity, and that tenderness of sentiment, which constitute the true excellence of that species of writing. For my own part, though I cannot altogether divest myself of partiality to the ancients, whose merit will cease only to be admired with the universal wreck of men and letters, yet I am persuaded that in many of the songs of our own nation, there are beauties which it would be vain to look for in the most admired poetical compositions of antiquity. They are the offspring of nature; they are expressed in the language exquisite feelThere is none of simplicity; and the love songs, breathing sentiments that are inspired by the most tender and ings, are in unison with the human heart. in whose veins the smallest drop of Scotch blood circulates, but must feel the most heartfelt pleasure when he reflects that those songs, which do such honour to both the genius and to the feelings of his countrymen; which, in simplicity of language, and in the sensibility that pervades them, have never been equalled by those of any nation; and which have been so much admired by foreigners, will continue to be sung with delight by both sexes, while Scots men and the Scots language remain. If the collection is to be published by subscription, put down my name for a copy. My time this winter is very much employed-no less than ten hours a day. Expecting to see you soon, I am yours most sincerely. "JAMES CANDLISH."] No. LV. TO ROBERT AINSLIE, Esq. MY DEAR SIR: Arrachar, 28th June, 1787. I write this on my tour through a country where savage streams tumble over savage mountains, thinly overspread with savage flocks, which staringly support as savage inhabitants. My last stage was Inverary-to-morrow night's stage Dumbarton. I ought sooner to have answered your kind letter, but you know I am a man of many sins. R. B. [The gentleman to whom this brief and pithy note is addressed has been already mentioned in the life of the Poet. He was then young and enthusiastic joyous of : nature, and had none of the stiff, starched stateliness of manners, which characterized many of his day who desired to be thought polite. He is of an old border family, with a taste for literature, and made himself acceptable to Burns as much by his remarks on Scottish poetry as by his agreeable gaiety of heart. More of him will be seen in the course of this correspondence, and still more when the tour which he made in the Poet's company along the border is laid before the reader. He has the merit of being one of the unchanged and steadfast friends of Burns: he is now advanced in years: nor has he been unsuccessful in life, or in his pursuits in literature. He is well known as the author of the "Reasons for the hope that is in us," in which scripture unites with reason, and reason with rational argument— it has been happily described by an eminent prelate as "a valuable compendium of evidence in behalf of revealed religion: perspicuous, candid, and, above all, stamped with the characteristics which a belief in that religion alone can give." Ainslie has, on more occasions than one, borne testimony to the high qualities of the mind of Burns.—" He had his memory stored," he says, "with the finest poetical passages, which he was in the habit of quoting most aptly in his correspondence with his friends and he delighted also in repeating them when in company with those friends who enjoyed them. Living, as I did, in habits of close intimacy with him during his residence in Edinburgh, when he published the second edition of his poems, often have I heard him recite these fine verses, which seemed to have made much impression on him :— 'Tis this, my friend, that streaks our morning bright; 'Tis this that wards the blow, or stills the smart, Within the breast bids purest rapture rise, Bids smiling conscience spread her cloudless skies.' Poor Burns! Those who were best acquainted with him knew that he veiwed and considered these noble and interesting subjects as he ought. The lapse of fleeting, years is fast dissipating the remains of unkind feeling with which some latterly regarded him; and, while his country justly appreciates him, his fame will descend to future times, worthy of the author of The Cotter's Saturday Night.'"-ED.] No. LVI. TO WILLIAM NICOL, Esq. Auchtertyre, Monday, June, 1787. MY DEAR SIR: I FIND myself very comfortable here, neither oppressed by ceremony, nor mortified by neglect. Lady Augusta is a most engaging woman, and very happy in her family, which makes one's outgoings and incomings very agreeable. I called at Mr. Ramsay's of Auchtertyre as I came up the country, and am so delighted with him that I shall certainly accept of his invitation to spend a day or two with him as I return. I leave this place on Wednesday or Thursday. Make my kind compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Cruikshank and Mrs. Nicol, if she is returned. I am ever, dear Sir, Your deeply indebted,-R. B. [Burns was now on his first tour in the Highlands: he set out in no pleasant mood, for he scattered sharp epigrams and bitter lampoons on all and sundry as he travelled along. The verses on the window of the inn at Stirling-on Carron Foundry, and on Inverary, belong to this jaunt: nor had the witchery of beauty or the presence of learning any influence over his muse. The following complimentary verse is said to have been composed about this period-it is an epitaph on Nicol himself:"Ye maggots feed on Willie's brain, For few sic feasts you've gotten, |